Gdansk, Poland

Gdansk, Poland

Długa Street, Gdansk.

GDANSK is a beautiful historic city in the north of Poland. It’s the location where WWII began.

Battle of Westerplatte

The peninsula of Westerplatte, is notable for the Polish Garrison, where a small force of Polish Soldiers, heavily outnumbered and outgunned – held off the vast German invasion forces for 7-days. Standing against naval and air bombardment, only surrendering after their depleted resistance became futile, when almost out of ammunition for their light weapons.

European Solidarity Centre

At the site of the Gdansk Shipyard, stands the European Solidarity Centre. Here the shipyard workers, led by the legends of the Solidarity movement, including Anna Walentynowicz, Lech Wałęsa, Andrzej Gwiazda, Bogdan Borusewicz, Alina Pienkowska, Bogdan Lis, the Wyszkowski brothers, Andrzej Kołodziej and others who demonstrated against the draconian government doctrines.
It is believed by many that this movement ended Russian domination of central and eastern Europe, which saw the fall of the Iron Curtain and the end of the USSR. It was hoped that this would lead to a democratic government in Russia. Unfortunately, the latter has yet to be realised.

Modern Gdansk

Gdansk was all but completely demolished during World War 2. Since then, rebuilt to its former architectural design. Walking the streets of this great city, it’s hard to believe almost everything you see is quite modern.

 

Długa Street, Gdansk, Poland.
Długa Street, Gdansk.

 

Graffiti under a bridge in Central Gdansk, Poland. Equates Putin to Hitler and Ukraine as friends.
Graffiti under a bridge in Central Gdansk. Equates Putin to Hitler and Ukraine as friends.

 

Graffiti in Gdansk, calls for the release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski.
Graffiti in Gdansk, calling for the freeing of Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski. Currently serving 10 years in a Belarusian prison.

 

A huge, towering memorial stands outside the Solidarnosc Museum. AKA: European Solidarity Centre.
A huge, towering memorial stands outside the Solidarnosc Museum. AKA: European Solidarity Centre.

 

The current Gdansk Shipyard gates, to the side of the Solidarnosc Museum.
Shipyard gates of Gdansk, to the side of the Solidarnosc Museum.

 

Solidarity (Solidarnosc) Members form a human chain of resistance.
Solidarity (Solidarnosc) Members form a human chain of resistance.

 

The original shipyard gates displayed inside Solidarnosc Museum.
The original shipyard gates stand inside Solidarnosc Museum.

 

Inside the Solidarnosc Museum, a ceiling is covered with actual helmets, once work by the Gdansk Shipyard workers.
Inside Solidarnosc Museum, a ceiling is covered with the helmets, once work by the Gdansk Shipyard workers.

 

The wall of the Solidarnosc Martyrs.
Wall of the Solidarnosc Martyrs.

 

Soviet riot police vehicle, used to attack strikers. Solidarnosc Museum.
Soviet riot police vehicle, used to attack strikers. Solidarnosc Museum.

 

Solidarnosc Museum is the home of a huge archive of images and documentation, many like these are on display.
Solidarnosc Museum is the home of a huge archive of images and documentation, many like these are on display.

 

At the entrance to Westerplatte, a sculptured stone monument bears the name of the peninsula.
At the entrance to Westerplatte, a sculptured stone monument bears the name of the peninsula.

 

An autumnal scene on Westerplatte.
An autumnal scene on Westerplatte.

 

The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.
The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.

 

The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.
The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.

 

The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte, Gdansk, Poland.
The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.

 

The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.
The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.

 

The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.
The skeletal remains of a bombed out building at Westerplatte.

 

A huge stone memorial stands at a highpoint in Westerplatte, overlooking the area and Gdansk.
Westerplatte WWII Memorial Gdansk, Poland.

 

Each year soldiers and cadets parade in memory of the fallen heroes of Westerplatte.
Each year soldiers and cadets parade in memory of the heroes of Westerplatte.

 

Pictures and Article by: David Glover Roberts
Last updated: 10 August 2025

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