Curiosities and unknown facts about Gdańsk

Gdańsk is one of the most popular Polish cities in terms of tourism. Every year it is visited by over a million residents, tempted by its unique monuments, beautiful architecture and proximity to the sea. It would seem, therefore, that everything is already known about such a famous city. However, it turns out that there are still many interesting facts that only a few people know. If you are also interested in the lesser-known history of Gdańsk and want to find out what Gdańsk is famous for, read the article below.

If you want to know interesting facts about Gdańsk, we are in a hurry with the information. Did you know that Gdańsk was the second city in Poland (the first was Gdynia) to receive the ISO 37120 certificate “Sustainable social development – indicators of urban services and quality of life”, issued by the World Council on City Data? Gdańsk thus gained the title of Smart city. This is an international distinction awarded to cities that can boast of meeting a number of strict requirements regarding the quality of life or the level of service management. In addition, the city also met other requirements regarding transport, finance, environment, education, safety and other dozen or so categories.

What is Gdańsk famous for? Certainly one of the most famous monuments in the city is St. Mary’s Basilica, which intimidates with its majestic architectural beauty. However, not everyone knows that this extraordinary Polish monument is also one of the largest temples in Europe, as well as the highest medieval temple built of brick. Its height is as much as 82 meters. The basilica is also one of the oldest buildings of this type. Its origins date back to 1243, although according to some sources, a wooden church stood in the place of the temple at that time, and the construction of the brick building began only 100 years later.

The history of Gdańsk is full of famous names that have been written in capital letters on the pages of the history of Europe and the world. An example is the figure of Gabriel Fahrenheit – the creator of the temperature scale and the inventor of the mercury thermometer. For several years he lived at 95 Ogarna Street, from where, after the death of his parents, he emigrated to the Netherlands.

Arthur Schopenhauer, one of the most famous and greatest German and European philosophers, was also born in the city. The thinker was born in a house at 47 Święta Ducha Street, located near St. Mary’s Basilica. Schopenhauer spent the first years of his life in Gdańsk, and then his family emigrated to Hamburg.

When listing unknown facts about Gdańsk, it is worth mentioning the life of John Hevelius. This one of the most outstanding representatives of the world of science in the 17th century, a famous astronomer, came from Gdańsk. The scientist conducted very thorough research on the Moon and the Sun. His astronomical observatory was one of the best equipped places of its kind in Europe. The scientist was an excellent designer and built most of his astronomical instruments and tools himself. Thanks to the inventor’s knowledge and skills, these instruments were extremely precise, which aroused admiration and sometimes disbelief among other astronomers.

His range of other interests and activities was impressive. Heweliusz is sometimes called “the most enlightened brewer in the world” because of what he did. Apart from science and astronomy, the scientist was a popular and wealthy brewer. He was also active in the city council and the brewers’ guild, and at the age of 40 he became a life councilor of Gdańsk. He also gained an excellent education – he graduated in economics and law in Leiden.

Do you want to know other interesting facts about Gdańsk? Here you go: bats live in the historic Wisłoujście Fortress. According to scientists, up to several hundred individuals found shelter in this place. Thanks to this, the Wisłoujście Fortress located on the Martwa Wisła River, which is the oldest seaside fortification on the Polish coast, belongs to the protected Natura 2000 area. Various species of bats live in this bat hibernaculum, including the northern bat – one of the largest species in the country. It is mainly because of him that the Wisłoujście Fortress is closed to tourists in autumn and winter, i.e. during the wintering period of animals. Apart from the noctule, also great bats, brown bats, red bats, late bats and Natterer’s bats have their hiding places here.

When discussing interesting facts about Gdańsk, it is worth mentioning where the city’s name comes from. Unfortunately, the specific origin of the name is not entirely clear. There are many hypotheses about this.

The currently valid and most popular hypothesis is that the name “Gdańsk” has a topographical origin, or more precisely, it comes from wet areas. In the “Encyclopedia of Gdańsk” you can find information that “Gdańsk” comes from the word “gdanie”, which means a water pool, a damp, wet and overgrown place. Other researchers suggest the etymology from the Goth tribe, and some – from the female name Gyde, because this was the name of the granddaughter of Mieszko I, who contributed to the creation of a wooden stronghold on the Motława River.

When it comes to historical curiosities, an undoubtedly interesting fact is that the Teutonic Knights ruled in Gdańsk for 150 years. During the Order’s rule over the city, among others, the Radunia Canal with the Great Mill – a building that still exists today and was once the most powerful secular structure in the town.

The city was occupied by the Teutonic Knights in 1308. The Teutonic Knights were to help repel the Brandenburgers’ attack on Gdańsk. They did this, but at the same time kept the city for themselves, and with it all of Pomerania. The fighting lasted several days. On November 13, 1308, there was a massacre of the civilian population – townspeople, representatives of the authorities and some of the knights. Today’s historians call this fact the “Gdańsk Massacre”. According to various sources, from 60 to over 100 people were murdered on that day.

If you ask animal lovers what Gdańsk is famous for, many of them will certainly answer that it is the zoo. There is a ZOO in this city, which is the largest in Poland – it covers over 123 hectares. The area is located in Oliwa, about 20 minutes by car from the center. The origins of the ZOO date back to the 1950s. The garden has developed a lot over the years. Today, over 1,000 animals live there. Lions, especially Arco – the alpha male, are particularly popular among visitors.

Did you know that Gdańsk is also famous for its unique, one-of-a-kind alcohols? In the 16th century, the recipe for Goldwasser was created in the city, also called “Gdańsk vodka” or “golden water” due to the content of gold flakes. At the same time, the spicy-herbal liqueur Kurfürsten was also created, and two centuries later the juniper vodka Machandel. You can taste these unusual drinks in the Goldwasser restaurant located on the bank of the Motława River, in close proximity to the famous Crane. The Goldwasser tenement house also houses seven stylish apartments with a view of Granary Island and the Motława River. Stay in one of them and enjoy the unique atmosphere of historic Gdańsk.