Wspaniały is Polish for gorgeous, and gorgeous Gdansk was.

Gdansk has so much history behind its beautiful facade; you would never think it looking at its calm nature today.

It was in Gdansk on 1 September 1939, at about 4.30 in the morning that the Second World War started – the Battle of Westerplatte. 200 Polish soldiers were heroic and held out for 7 days. It was a time of bravery and martyrdom for its people, yet another tragic chapter in Gdansk’s steeped history.

WW2 and the fierce struggle for liberation left Gdańsk completely devastated. Its reconstruction took many years, however, you would never tell visiting there today. They have some of the most beautiful buildings, loving restored to their former glory and Gdańsk is, once again the biggest Baltic port.

Gdansk’s troubles continued post WW2 with the Soviet Union and Communism. It was in the Lenin shipyards that the grip of communism was first lifted from Eastern Europe. The resistance movement was led by one Lech Walesa, who was once an electrician in the shipyard. At the end of August 1989, a Solidarity led coalition government had been formed.

I would urge you to find out more about Gdansk’s amazing history, it is truly inspiring and certainly one to visit.

Check out my photostream on Flickr to see more Gdansk shots.