Hanseatic Cities: Gdańsk – A maritime power under the protection of the god of the sea

​​The Hanseatic era has left its mark across the entire Baltic Sea region. We present seven cities where its splendour still shines through. Part 6: Gdańsk

Traces of the Hanseatic League in Gdańsk

Thanks to its location at the mouth of the Vistula, the city developed into the most important transhipment centre for grain from Poland and the Eastern European hinterland. Added to this were timber, tar, salt and amber, which were shipped from here to all the ports of the Baltic and North Seas. The merchants’ prosperity made Danzig one of the most magnificent commercial centres in Northern Europe. This heritage is particularly evident along Lange Gasse and at the Long Market, with their richly decorated town houses, patrician villas and merchant courtyards. This is also where the Artushof stands, a former meeting place for Hanseatic merchants. Following the severe destruction suffered during the Second World War, the Old Town was meticulously reconstructed.

Gdańsk’s landmark is the Crane Gate on the Motława. It served simultaneously as a city gate, a goods crane and a symbol of economic power. With its massive brick towers and wooden hoisting mechanism, it ranks among the most significant engineering structures of medieval Europe. Another of the city’s landmarks is the Neptune Fountain on the Long Market, which was commissioned as a symbol of the city’s naval supremacy. According to legend, Neptune caused the famous Gdańsk ‘golden water’ to flow from it.

Information for visiting boat owners

The modern Gdańsk Marina (sportgdansk.pl) is situated right in the heart of the historic centre, with 70 berths set against the backdrop of the Old Town. Restaurants, shops and places of interest are just a few steps away. Access is via the Mottlau or the Vistula estuary and takes you through an area characterised by commercial and ferry traffic.

Further articles in this series:

• ​Hanseatic Cities: Lübeck – The Cradle of the Hanseatic League
• Hanseatic cities: Wismar – Brick Gothic and the romance of seafaring
• Hanseatic Cities: Stralsund – Between the Coast and the Inland
• ​Hanseatic Cities: Visby – The Queen of the Sea
• ​Hanseatic Cities: Riga – Many Eras and Styles