all of these interesting , northern polish cities and towns provide visitors with unforgettable experiences .
Gdansk , Bydgoszcz and Torun share lots of common economic and historical past . All of these towns history was in many aspects related to their position to WISLA River. Queen of Polish Rivers. On the barges in medieval days the riches of polish land were flowing to Gdansk , for export to the world of these days.
TRI –CITY , in Polish “ TROJMIASTO”, one of great urban complex and as well recreational town , being by Baltic Sea , is one of the favoured tourist destinations for Poles and international tourists alike.
Gdansk rich history, its visual splendour in many aspects is related to its association with HANSA cities of early European history . Sopot on other hand , presents mood of SPA resort, where visitor enjoy fresh breeze of Baltic Sea . Air full of IODINE and summer time present many opportunities for recreational activities . Walking on the world renown , longest in Europe timber , jetty called MOLO provides beside healthy activity also in warm summer nights some romantic enjoyment and fun .
Gdynia ,however, being modern town, established in early days of XX century presents visitors with interesting architecture , maritime museums and boat trips to Hel peninsula .
These cities are connected by fast rail system and are easily reached to visitors delight.
Gdansk great citizens are clearly present. Their spiritual and physical manifestation is evident in this spectacular town . Kepler, Hevelius astronomers . Fahrenheit physicist who created temperature scale , still used in USA . Gunter Grass -winner of Noble Prize for literature ,which was the outcome of his amazing novel “ The tin Drum “, book presenting astounding history of XX century Gdansk. These are only some world famous and renown people who were creating rich history of Gdansk and were enriching humanity . Their splendour makes one feel genuinely stimulated by the city of very long and magnificent history .. Dluga Street , Artus Court , Neptune Fountain , Green Gate , Crane by Motlawa River only few important sites of Gdansk Old Town one needs to see to become charmed with magic of old world , Gdansk early history. In this historical town one can find , on its sandy beaches or buy at souvenir shops AMBER , called BALTIC GOLD. Already early merchants who were gathering in Gdansk during the Dominican Fair , to sale their products , were amazed by beauty and also as we know , respected the health value , of this product of mother nature geological events. There is also other great gold related product . “ Danziger Golwasser” , with its pleasing taste and gold flakes flouting in it , this world renown , loved liqueur is welcomed drink after some special polish culinary speciality .
One could present long list of the other important aspects of Gdansk history . Two are needed to be remembered . These events were world changing history of humanity . 01 September 1939 salvos of Nazi Germany battleship “ Schleswig Holstein” dropping on Polish military post of Westerplatte barrage of nasty military attack is considered as first moment of start of WWII . Other important date is year 1980 . It marks start by workers of Lenin” shipyard of Gdansk of “ Solidarity “ Movement , which took over whole Poland and started gradual fight for rights of workers and democratic freedoms. This peaceful action on part of polish workers lead eventually to 1989 events, which allowed Poland to shake off shackles of the Soviet system , which soon was dismantled and became element of world history . One needs to observe that the heroic “ Solidarity “ movement was also instrumental in demolition of Berlin Wall . That created mood and ground for reunification of Germany .
South of Gdansk , about 2 hours by comfortable train ride , one can visit two very important and attractive towns of historical region of KUJAWY . Region of great riches of its folklore . One of the dynamic and truly representative is KUJAWIAK dance which even Frederic Chopin used as basis to compose some of his piano pieces.
Bydgoszcz and Torun , both of these towns present rich history of the area . These towns already from early days of its existence , despite some changes of its association with various rulers of area ,were closely interwoven to history of polish kings and Poland.
Bydgoszcz called in Latin “ Bydgostia “ , presents its centre ,with truly charming , secession architecture . The visitors emotions are really of pleasant and fulfilling nature . Decorative , so characteristic , windows , doors and reliefs with soft floral , statuesque nudes or faces adorn the buildings . The centre of town attractively situated by BRDA river which flows on its own into Wisla river . The mood by the river is full of memorable moments and time to relax. This unique geographical, on the river, position allowed Bydgoszcz to have along the Brda river many wheat and grain silos, called also granaries . These buildings were used in early days to store and distribute that produce to various regions of Poland and Europe . Now these , unfortunately only 3 remaining , granaries being visually very attractive , are evidence of bygone era and were converted into apartments and offices . One needs to be aware that this charming town , already in year 1346 was granted by ,King Casimir III of Poland, city rights . Bydgoszcz history is also part of history of Jews who started to settle in this town , already in XV and XVI century was important wheat trading centre.
From Bydgoszcz by “ IC “ train , equipped with “ WI-FI” services on short ride one gets to Torun . Panorama of this amazing , under the UNESCO World Heritage auspices town , presents itself with steep gables and sharp , shooting right into the sky towers . Already in XV century town attracts many famous citizens . In Torun in AD 1473 , Mikolaj Kopernik , Nicholas Copernicus as he is also called , was born . This astronomer , scientists during his studies of Universe , brought to the humanity , revolutionary concept . It says that Copernicus “ stopped the sun and moved the earth “ . Torun, during era of Copernicus birth , already since 1466 ,was situated in Royal Prussia , part of Kingdom of Poland . In this amazing town , many Peace Treaties between Poland and Prussia were signed . These historical events clearly indicated the Torun was , despite the Poland Prussian conflicts , part of Poland .
Torun beside association with Copernicus birth is also famous for “ Torun Gingerbread”. As history says these cookies were already enjoyed during Copernicus days . And who knows maybe , like today tourists and locals ,as well Copernicus cherished the taste of “ pierniki “ as these great cookies , with all possible stuffing and flavours are called in Poland.
Torun presents truly medieval mood and atmosphere . Visitors while strolling along the narrow streets of town , visiting the Teutonic Knights castle remains or just walk along Wisla river , seeing majestic defence walls of town are treated with trip into past of Polish history .
From that amazing town of Torun , one can , once again , in comfort of Polish Railway system return to Warsaw to continue the adventure of Poland’s discovery.
To get attractive and comfortable way to Poland , is to fly LOT Polish Airlines and its partner Singapore Airlines ,
WMIG October 2015
More information about these cities are included on websites:
– http://www.poland.travel/en-us/cities/gdansk-sopot-gdynia–the-tricity/ – Tricities guide,
– http://www.visitbydgoszcz.pl/index.php/en/ – Bydgoszcz guide ,
– http://www.poland.travel/en/unesco-sites/medieval-town-of-torun-6 – Torun guide,
– http://www.intercity.pl/en/ – Polish Railways / Intercity / ,