GDAŃSK
Is one of the most beautiful cities in Poland. Over a 1000 years ago St. Adalbertus came from Prague to the burg city on the Motlau River with a christianization mission. It can be said that since then till the 18th century the town was spoken of very often. Ones were praised the wealth of the Gdansk's houses, the others rebuked the citizens for their pride and audacity. But where else – if not on one of the the Gdansk’s façades we can read an inscription saying: „For your envy”...– Gdansk was one of the most well-known cities in the then Europe, and became home for the numerous refugees and the oppressed. Till today one of Gdansk's districts is „New Scotland”... Most of those, who settled in Gdansk were sculptors, architects, painters, artists... In other words great people. And because of that – walking Gdansk's streets, and visiting museums we think – “how European it is”, or „haven’t I been here before Exactly so, as Gdansk was an international, multicultural, and European town long before the European Union was established. It was here that the king of Poland signed the act of religious tolerance and equality. Whereas Western Europe experienced religious disturbancies. It was here – that the biggest brick church of the medieval world was built – to show the status and role of this Hanseatic city. It was here – that the kings of Poland entered the town through the Golden Gate, not to admire the beauty of the city – but for loans from the City Council. The town's budget was twice or even three times bigger than that of the then capital in Krakow. It is also worth mentnioning why Gdansk grew to be one of the welthiest towns in Europe. From the whole territory of the Polish kingdom the treasures of the Polish land was transported to Gdansk. The treasure was mainly grain. That is why the city was often called the „granary of Europe”. The city on the Motlau River played a significant role in the history of Poland and Europe too.

It was here – a few kilometers from the Main Town – on the Westerplatte Peninsula – that the Second World War broke out on the 1st of September 1939 at 4:48 am when the Nazis invaded Poland...

But Gdansk also became a town where the Eruopean Route to Freedem started. The strike in the Gdansk Shipyard, the charismatic electrician – Lech Wałęsa , signing the August Agreements – all that were the factors which initiated the effect of domino in Poland as well as abroad. Today the borad with the 21 Demands made by the shipyard workers is registered in the Memory of the World UNESCO list. And Lech Wałęsa who received the peace Nobel Prize was the third foreigner invited by the US Capitol. He told about the Solidarity. He was bid goodbye with a standing ovation.

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OLIWA
At present one of Gdansk's districts. In 12th century Cistercian monks were brought here. They were not only monks, but also good framers and experts in art, sensitive to the surrounding beauty. They settled far from the city centers, near streams and rivers, where they could set up mills and farms. They quickly increased their property enlarging the church. And so the existing till today cathedral being part of the former monastery is among one of the longest European churches (107m). There – besides the magnificent high altar adorned with 150 heads of cherubs one can find one of the most renowned organ in Poland. It is the place where during the concerts the music can be heard as well as felt.

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SOPOT
Summer capital of Poland, a spa and health resort.One of the most green towns in Poland. So can the town be described in simplest words. However Sopot is something more. It is the climate of little streets, Art Nouveau houses, music and quietness.Here ilferuns slower and unhurriedly. Before the war Sopot was a den of gambling and was called „Monte Carlo of the North”. The founder of Sopot's fame was a doctor in Napoleon's army - Jean George Haffner. It is thanks to him that people believed that swmming can be beneficial to health. Even since 1823 the bathers could enjoy the therapeutic baths in the heated sea water, transported by pipe system from the Gdansk Bay. From the depth of 800 m the famous Sopot Salt Water is being mined. It has healing propoerties, but also is used in making pickled cucumbers...in 19th century the Sopot beachwas divided into the North Beach for gentlemen and South Beach for ladies. Till now we can see pictures showing the bathers on the Sopot beach. Ladies in long skirts, and gentlemen in striped swimsiuts.

Sopot is also a horse racing as well as tennis competitions, and a very unique Forest Opera covered with a 4000sq meters roof.

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GDYNIA
defined as the town from the „dreams and reveries”Within several years from a small fishermen's village – one of the most rapidly developing port towns sprang out. The Cashubian dwellers of the village became millionairies within several weeks.

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WESTERPLATTE
In 1930-ties the Westerplatte peninsula was a holiday resort for the Gdansk citizens.
There was ta beach, birds' singing, a pier...

On the 1st of September 1939 at 4:48 am Schlezwig Holstein started to shell the place thus commencing the 2nd World War.

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KARTUZY
is a small town inhabited by t16 thousand peopleM. Teh town is situated in the heart of the Cashubian District and is surrounded by 4 lakes. Kartuzy is situated on the „Cashubian Route”, running throuh the most charming areas of the land. Kaszuby - as the legend says – is a land made by God at the very end of His creation of earth. When God turned his sack with landscapes upside down, Kaszuby got hills, lakes, rivers, fields and forests. And so it is here – we have everything that one needs for a nice relaxation. Besides – the region has many interesting monuments and places of interest worth seeing.

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MALBORK
on the Nogat River, about 60 km from Gdansk. Covering an area of 21 ha, there is the world's biggest brick castle. It consists of three parts: Lower Castle, Middle Castle, and High Castle. To bild this „biggest heap of bricks east of Alps” about 35 million hand made bricks were used. Even because of that it is worth coming here. The Castle of Malbork however, is not only the history of the Saint Mary's Hospital Order of the German House in Jerusalem – i.e. the Teutonic Order. but also a splendid example of the 19th century as well as the post-war restoration and reconstruction. Here the history is still alive and discovered, especially when „reading the bricks”

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FROMBORK
Situated on the Wisła Bay is often called the Pearl of Warmia Region. „At the world's end” it was called by Nikolaus Copernicus, the canon priest in the Frombork Cathedral, doctor, official, and of course Great Astronomer. Not much has changed here since then. Frombork still is „at the world's end”, in the Cathedral the presence of Copernicus is nearly noticeable, expecially after the discovery of his grave. And stars above have a specific shine. The Cathedral Hill dominates majestatically over the town. The two separate systemns were united not long ago. Who is fascinated with stars, and was not satisfied with the starry sky over Frombork, can visit the planetarium. Not far from the Cathedral Hill there is the Holy Spirit Hospital. A magic place where time stopped in the 14th century. Now a set of beautiful frescoes from the 14th century can be admired inside the hospital chapel. There is an interesting medical exposition in the former hospital too. Around the hospital there is a herbal garden..... Holy Spirit Hospital is a unique place, maybe that is why the Mazurian storks chose it for their settlement – and built the greatest nest I have ever seen.

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ŻUŁAWY (Lowlands)
a depressed land fully created by man. Depression – into which in the 16th century settler from the Netherlands were brought. Tehy changed the appearance of the land. Thanks to the Mennonites, their hard work and ingenuity, Żuławy (The Lowlands) became a real Eldorado, the richest part of the Pomerania. From village to village one oculd travel using the network of water canals. Windmills weer built to serve the dwellers of the land. Fertile soil made the Mennonites wealthy people. An example can be a wedding from the 17th century – when 445 pairs had a good time for 2 weeks.

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