Gdansk Old Town

The alarm went off at 4.15am, by design, as I wanted to get up early to catch the golden light falling on the buildings on the west side of the Motlawa river that runs through the city.

I stood just north of what is known as the Green Gate (a building that used to have a green facade), accompanied by only a couple of fisherman. It was a pleasure to be up and about in the quiet, for later on the whole place would be full to the brim with tourists.

Gdansk old town is very picturesque and had its origins since before the 10th century, but the buildings are not as old as they might appear,.

Being the point of entry of the Germans during the second world war and being an important shipbuilding centre for the Germans, it was heavily bombed and largely flattened by the Soviet (Red) Army.

After the war, the city decided they liked the way it looked before, and rebuilt it as a replica.

So given that effort, it’s perhaps surprising that later on they constructed this ugly concrete bridge (Most Zielony aka Green Bridge) over the river in the middle of the most picturesque section.

PHOTO TO GO HERE

Standing on this bridge, so you can’t see it, the scene is lovely with the giant crane housed in the tall brick building dominating the scene.

This crane dates back to the fifteenth century and was the largest in Europe being able to lift up to two tons powered by only 4 men using treadwheels.