Gdynia, Poland: More Than A Baltic Port
The second largest city
port in Pomerelia, The Land at the Sea is Gdynia. This former fishing village
on the Baltic coast in the German Empire is now transformed into a tourist
destination after Poland gained independence after the Central Powers’ defeat
in First World War. Due to the support of the French, the port has been
expanded, but was heavily destroyed by Nazi Germany in the Second World War
before it was recaptured by Soviet Union which had great communist influence in
Poland until the fall of the Iron Curtain. These series of events in Gdynia
make the city interesting in terms of world significance. This drew me to visit
the Polish port.
1. Fontanna
The fountain
in Kashubian Square has thirty nozzles, which creates illumination of different
colors. This has been part of the environmental political measure of the city
residents.
2. Skwer Kościuszki
The square is
a street in the downtown Gdynia for commemorating the Catholic pope John Paul
II. Interestingly, during the Nazi
Occupation, the German altered the name of the square to Adolf Hitler Platz.
3. Okręt-Muzeum ORP
"Błyskawica"
ORP
Lightning was used during the Second World War in the Atlantic and Norway. It
has been stationary ship defense and a museum ship, given it is the world’s
oldest preserved destroyer.
4. Statek-muzeum
"Dar Pomorza"
The White
Frigate is a sailing school in the twenties, and currently a ship-musuem. It almost
sank in the Bay in Biscay and was purchased by Poland at a very cheap price.
The ship gave extremely financial contribution to the society Pomerania,
training thousands of students. It is also the first Polish ship in the history
to circumnavigate around the world.
5. Basen I Prezydenta
The seaport
on the Bay of Gdynia is the third largest in Poland. This is the literally
named after the President.
6.
Nabrzeże
Pomorskie
The
Pomorskie wharf is located on the south pier and commonly called the Kosciuszko
Square. This is where ORP Lightning and White Frigate are docked.
7.
Molo
Południowe
The South
Pier was newly built in the 20th century. It is mistakenly called
the Kashubian Square but it is onlt the area between the streets of St. John
and the beginning of the Southern Pier.
8.
Puck Bay
The shallow
western branch of the Bay of Gdansk. This is separated from the open sea by the
Hel Peninsula. The bay is only available for small fishing boats and yachts. It
is believed that there are deposits of potassium salt on the bottom of Bay of
Puck.
9.
Marina
Gdynia
It is a
place to hold number of sailing events at the European and global levels. The
area has access to water and electricity and infrastructures conducive for the
stay of international sailors.
10. Park Rady Europy
The Park
Council of Europe is near the Musical Theatre and the seaside boulevard. The
tribute exiles of Siberia is found.
11. Plaża miejska w Gdyni
Beach Gdynia
is the most popular destination in the city port. It is known as the wild beach
by the residents prompting lifeguards to be in the area.
12. Plac Zabaw
This is a
playground near the Beach Gdynia. This is somehow a visual break from the beach
and the Gdynia port where ships are docked. It is a place for children and
their family for recreation.
13. Muzeum Miasta Gdyni
The purpose
of the museum is documenting and spreading information about the history and
present of Gdynia, with particular emphasis on the importance of urban-port facility
in the Polish state.
The historic and
commercial significance of Gdynia is obvious. However, the seaview of the port
city makes it a unique Polish city worthy of a visit by any tourist interested
on the things city port could offer. I know this will not be the last time I
would be visiting the city. I recommend the city actually.
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