Hello from Gdansk!
We began our day with a fairly early wake up call back in Torun. We were packed and out of the apartment by 6:45 and on our way to Gdansk. Along the way we planned to stop at the magnificent Malbork Castle.
We arrived at the castle around 8:30 and made the long walk to the ticket office where we purchased out tickets and English audio guides. The audio guides actually turned out to be very helpful in providing information and directing us through the castle grounds and interiors (in the past, we have found many audio guides to be less than helpful and filled with so much information that you can never get through it all).
The castle is the world's largest brick castle and was built beginning in the 1200's by the Teutonic Knights (German Catholic religious crusaders). Since that time, the castle has passed through the hands of many: the Polish, Swedish, German, and then back to Poland following WWII. It was significantly damaged following the war, but has since been restored. Our audio guide took us through many areas of the lower castle - kitchen, halls, chambers, and courtyard. Then we marched up through the drawbridge to the upper castle to see, the courtyard, cloister, cathedral and additional chambers. Overall, the experience took over 2 hours, but it was all really cool to see.
After the walk back to our car, we continued for a short 45 minute drive to reach Gdansk. We easily navigated to our Airbnb and parking location. However, we were early - it was only noon and check in wasn't until 3pm. So, we went out looking for a place to have some lunch. In doing so, we walked through the city's Dluga Targ (main square), and Dluga (They Royal Way/street). The city looked amazing already and we were excited to continue exploring.
For lunch, we found a place called Restauracja Dominkanska just off the main street. We sat outside on the patio on what was another nice and sunny day (although still a bit hot at 85 degrees). I ordered the zurek soup once again, and Jessica had another Greek salad. Also, we both split some placki (potato pancakes with a mushroom cream sauce). All the food was great! We still had some more time before check-in and we needed to walk off the food, so we went off to explore the city some more.
We winded our way to the center of the old town to the unmistakable St. Mary's Bacilica which dominates the Gdansk skyline. The inside of the church was very nice, but I had noted the entrance to the tower when we first walked in, and I was able to successfully convince Jessica that we needed to climb to the top in order to work off all the food we had just ate. So, up we went. Over 400 spiraling stairs and almost 300 feet of climbing later, we made it to the very top of the tower. The platform offered great 360 degree views of the city. We got some pictures from every angle and then spent some time just relaxing at the top before climbing all the way back down.
Back on the ground, we STILL had more time to kill before our 3PM check in time, so we walked around some more and saw Ulicka Mariacka and the many amber merchants trying to sell us some jewelry. Amber is quite plentiful in this region and they sell it just about everywhere in every shape and size imaginable. We continued walking and saw the embankment and shops/museums along the waterway including a crane that is over 600 years old which was used to raised and lower ship cargo. Our walk continued through the Hala Targowa (town marketplace), St. Catherine's Church (for a quick rest inside), and the Old Town Hall.
Finally, it was almost time to check in, so we began walking back to the apartment. We were able to check in without any issues, and our place was very nice (and in a perfect location). It was nice to be off our feet for a little while after all the walking. There may have also been naps taken at this point in time.
After thoroughly relaxing and regaining our energy, we went back out into town for an evening walk and to find some dinner. On our way, we stopped right down our street to see the house where Daniel Farenheit lived - the man who gave us the unit of measurement for temperature that we still use today (although, it is ironic that no one here uses it). Around the corner, we roamed the main square some more and took some pictures, then walked over one more street to Browar Piwna, our dinner location choice for this evening. Yes, it was another brewery, but also offered great food. Jessica ordered a delicious fish and chips, while I tried out the local pilsner and the "Old Polish Board" which consisted of smalec (bread and spread), cold cuts of bacon, ham, and sausage along with some tasty horseradish and mustard.
Full once again, we walked around for a while more, then called it a night. Tomorrow is another full day in Gdansk!
Steps: 21,905
Miles: 9.28
Stairs: 41 flights
We began our day with a fairly early wake up call back in Torun. We were packed and out of the apartment by 6:45 and on our way to Gdansk. Along the way we planned to stop at the magnificent Malbork Castle.
We arrived at the castle around 8:30 and made the long walk to the ticket office where we purchased out tickets and English audio guides. The audio guides actually turned out to be very helpful in providing information and directing us through the castle grounds and interiors (in the past, we have found many audio guides to be less than helpful and filled with so much information that you can never get through it all).
The castle is the world's largest brick castle and was built beginning in the 1200's by the Teutonic Knights (German Catholic religious crusaders). Since that time, the castle has passed through the hands of many: the Polish, Swedish, German, and then back to Poland following WWII. It was significantly damaged following the war, but has since been restored. Our audio guide took us through many areas of the lower castle - kitchen, halls, chambers, and courtyard. Then we marched up through the drawbridge to the upper castle to see, the courtyard, cloister, cathedral and additional chambers. Overall, the experience took over 2 hours, but it was all really cool to see.
After the walk back to our car, we continued for a short 45 minute drive to reach Gdansk. We easily navigated to our Airbnb and parking location. However, we were early - it was only noon and check in wasn't until 3pm. So, we went out looking for a place to have some lunch. In doing so, we walked through the city's Dluga Targ (main square), and Dluga (They Royal Way/street). The city looked amazing already and we were excited to continue exploring.
For lunch, we found a place called Restauracja Dominkanska just off the main street. We sat outside on the patio on what was another nice and sunny day (although still a bit hot at 85 degrees). I ordered the zurek soup once again, and Jessica had another Greek salad. Also, we both split some placki (potato pancakes with a mushroom cream sauce). All the food was great! We still had some more time before check-in and we needed to walk off the food, so we went off to explore the city some more.
We winded our way to the center of the old town to the unmistakable St. Mary's Bacilica which dominates the Gdansk skyline. The inside of the church was very nice, but I had noted the entrance to the tower when we first walked in, and I was able to successfully convince Jessica that we needed to climb to the top in order to work off all the food we had just ate. So, up we went. Over 400 spiraling stairs and almost 300 feet of climbing later, we made it to the very top of the tower. The platform offered great 360 degree views of the city. We got some pictures from every angle and then spent some time just relaxing at the top before climbing all the way back down.
Back on the ground, we STILL had more time to kill before our 3PM check in time, so we walked around some more and saw Ulicka Mariacka and the many amber merchants trying to sell us some jewelry. Amber is quite plentiful in this region and they sell it just about everywhere in every shape and size imaginable. We continued walking and saw the embankment and shops/museums along the waterway including a crane that is over 600 years old which was used to raised and lower ship cargo. Our walk continued through the Hala Targowa (town marketplace), St. Catherine's Church (for a quick rest inside), and the Old Town Hall.
Finally, it was almost time to check in, so we began walking back to the apartment. We were able to check in without any issues, and our place was very nice (and in a perfect location). It was nice to be off our feet for a little while after all the walking. There may have also been naps taken at this point in time.
After thoroughly relaxing and regaining our energy, we went back out into town for an evening walk and to find some dinner. On our way, we stopped right down our street to see the house where Daniel Farenheit lived - the man who gave us the unit of measurement for temperature that we still use today (although, it is ironic that no one here uses it). Around the corner, we roamed the main square some more and took some pictures, then walked over one more street to Browar Piwna, our dinner location choice for this evening. Yes, it was another brewery, but also offered great food. Jessica ordered a delicious fish and chips, while I tried out the local pilsner and the "Old Polish Board" which consisted of smalec (bread and spread), cold cuts of bacon, ham, and sausage along with some tasty horseradish and mustard.
Full once again, we walked around for a while more, then called it a night. Tomorrow is another full day in Gdansk!
Steps: 21,905
Miles: 9.28
Stairs: 41 flights
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