Bird Paradise

This place was on my radar for a long time - "Bird Paradise" reserve on Sobieszewo Island. In fact, I asked to go there as my birthday gift last year. Unfortunately, the trip didn’t end well. I start by saying that half of people that came didn’t want to leave the car. All because of huge amounts of mosquitos. Only me and my stepdad were brave enough to take a hike. Although it was a very short one.

This place was on my radar for a long time. In fact, I asked to go there as my birthday gift last year. Unfortunately, the trip didn’t end well. I start by saying that half of people that came didn’t want to leave the car. All because of huge amounts of mosquitos. Only me and my stepdad were brave enough to take a hike. Although it was a very short one.

We didn’t see many people, but surely we must have looked like crazy people. To protect ourselves from the incredible amount of mosquitoes we were waving our arms around us. Also, we were almost running. As a result, we didn’t get to see anything and end up with a record amount of mosquito bites.

Almost a year later and I managed to come back. This time, I wasn't attacked by an army of starving mosquitoes. I must say, though, that for a bird reserve, there is surprisingly very little birds there. I see more birds looking outside my bedroom window. Regardless of that, it is a beautiful place. Very peaceful and relaxing.

If you decide to go there for a walk, to which I encourage you, please take provisions and binoculars. Maybe then you will be able to finish the walk and spot some birds :) The route is quite long and there is no shops or stalls anywhere. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the whole walk.I hope that next year will be the year I'll do that.

Time for shopping – Winter Sale has begun

To stay with current trends of Winter Sale shopping, I decided to try it out as well. Therefore I went to Market Hall. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do any shopping as the hall was closed due to national holiday. But know my sacrifices – it was -11 Celsius outside and during 10 minutes of taking pictures my fingers began to experience frost bites J

Anyways, I don’t think I would do much shopping as most items offered on sale are groceries (which normally aren’t subject of Winter SalesJ.  Regardless of that fact, Market Hall building is one of my favorite, it might be because of all its towers.

The hall was built in 1986, previous to that there was a plaza that served as open market space, just before that, army used the space for drills. But even before that there was a monastery that was destroyed in 1813 during war.

Plaza on which Market Hall was built

Originally there were 188 wooden stalls (76 stalls with meat and sausages, 64 with vegetables and fruits, 22 with dairy products, 16 with fish and 10 with bread). It had a police station and a kitchen. I can just picture ladies with big dresses coming for daily shopping, chatting with acquaintances. Policeman walking around welcoming ladies with little nod and hat tip.

Market Hall, 1910

Well, at least this is what I see when I look at Market Hall. Plus I love all the little towers. Also, the shape of the building reminds me of train stations, which strangely I am really fond of.

Anyhow, when in Gdansk, visit this beautiful Market Hall. I will come back to the hall in spring, as there is couple of things that I didn’t tell you about.

Happy Christmas

Top of the "kiss me" booth

I don't know what your traditions are, but in Poland, today was the Christmas time. We broke Holly bread and wished each other best, we shared a meal and opened presents (that Santa brought:).

Christmas mill

I'd start with wishing everybody most greatest and happiest Christmas. But also I wanted to say some, maybe harsh words. I believe that Christmas is not only a time of celebrating Christ being born. It is a tradition that makes families, that spend so much time apart come together. It's time that people make effort for the other ones they love.

Christmas fun

One that argues a lot is being nice to others. Nobody complains about food that's been burnt. Just extra niceness. I have prepared meal for my family today, but by the time they came nothing was ready. So I engaged one in gift wrapping, other one with christmas tree decorating and another with table accessible. But no one minded it. Because it's Christmas (but maybe because we love each other and despite the faults we want to be around each other).

My cookie decoration

I read today that many people don't know what to get for loved ones. I say: listen to them, there is always a clue... Someone says their back is aching, someone would say they can't find remote. These are the clues. I did listen this year and guess what... not only happy faces... faces that had real joy and sparkle in their eyes.

#magiajarmarku

Also the fact, that the gifts are given doesn't mean that the celebration is over. Go to your extended family. Take them for a walk spend time together. Enjoy the company. As corny as they might be, they are your experience and happiness in live. Celebrate your time together. No matter how much it is. Once you realize that it was for you to treasure and keep.

Christmas smell - Christmas tree

Green Lantern

Today I took advantage of my family member, who wanted to spend some time with me. Of course, he had different idea of what we would do. However as the weather was favourable today, a walk by seaside was in store. Unfortunately, by the time we were able to get out, the sun hid behind clouds. However I shouldn't complain as in December we have temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and mild cold wind.

Do you see it? Green lighthouse...

Few months ago I heard about breakwater being open to public. Till then this area was restricted to port free zone. Not only the breakwater offers different viewpoint of the bay, there is also a green lighthouse at the end of it.

I see Gdynia ...

Since it was open around six months ago, the path is a little rough, but I read that there are plans of renovating it and also of opening a cafe on breakwater. It certainly is nice place to have coffee :)

But, to be honest, I didn't mind the path. For some, I'm sure, it will be a bit uncomfortable and not too pleasant with high fence on one side. Some also could complaint about "rubbish" at the bottom of the cliff. As I was explained by my companion, the reason for the concrete blocks is to protect the cliff from falling apart, as the waves would wear it down.

I liked little bays made of stone - sort of little viewpoints. I also liked writings on the stones, but not all of them - some were unfortunately profanities :( but some were love confessions, or just memory marks.

When it comes to the history of the breakwater and its green lighthouse I didn't find much information. What I found was one old picture of the lighthouse, which doesn't look like lighthouse at all.

I also read that the green lighthouse and breakwater is part of port entrance. The lighthouse has a twin - red lighthouse, which is located on eastern breakwater. I hope there is access to that lighthouse as I would like to visit it very much.

Can you see the red lighthouse?

Small Armoury

This place is on tourist attraction maps, but I don't believe that most tourist would be bothered to check this place out. To those tourists I say: Shame on you! :)

Small arsenal is placed outside of immediate Old Town. I think that this would be the reason people can't be bothered going there. I, myself adore this place. I like it the most at night. Also small arsenal gives me the creeps at night, but I guess I like to torture myself. Why does it give me the creeps? I'll tell you later. First a little bit of history :)

The arsenal was build in 1645 during the times of uncertainty and wars :) It was built by one architect of many names: George Strakwitz, who liked to spell his surname differently. Sometimes he signed on his designs Strakowski or Strakoffsky (maybe he was trying to disguise himself as he simply wasn't that happy with his work - who knows:)

The small armoury is of a simple, but yet beautiful design, with very few decorative accents, but with six huge gates, that allowed to move in big objects. It is part of heavy fortification of Gdansk, but was used not only to store armoury, but also other objects like decorations used to embellish route for kings and queens.

As time went by and all wars finished, armoury wasn't used for military purposes. At one point it served as headquarters of taxi company (taxis went to sleep there :). Now small armoury is where art comes to life. The building is home to Faculty of Sculpture and Intermedia of Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk.

Remember, when I told you that small armoury gives me the creeps at night? Well, here is why: a lot of the sculptures made by fine artists are stored outside and a lot of them look like people. So when I walk alone in dark around that place, which isn't very busy I feel there are people up there are observing me.

Nonetheless small armoury is beautiful place, with small part upfront. And the cool think is that the outside display changes from time to time, so in a way it is like changing exposition at a museum :) What is also nice is that not far from small armoury are bastions, which I think are a must see for absolutely everybody.

The Gdansk Lighthouse

Panorama

I've been told many times to go see the Lighthouse, but not surprisingly I didn't. However when I saw that the Lighthouse is being described as one of the most beautiful lighthouses of Northern Europe, I just had to see it. Who could resist seeing beautiful things? Not me. :) Although I never been to a lighthouse before, so I can't comment on the-most-beautiful-lighthouse thing.

They didn't let me in there :(

For anyone, who is planning to see the Lighthouse while in Gdansk I say: don't use navigation. I have tried to see how to get there on three different devices. Let's just say that if I went with the way my navigation showed me, I still would be on my way. Apparently to get to Lighthouse from Gdansk I must go to Germany, take ferry to Denmark, travel through Sweden to get ferry from Stockholm to Gdansk. Estimated time travel 41h, distance 1 413 km.

Lighthouse probably around 1900

Luckily I found shorter way, and was on spot in 20 minutes :) Unfortunately I was late for Time Ball drop. Maybe you can see it and tell me how was it? But let start from the beginning.

That all famous Time Ball

The Lighthouse was build in 1893, it is 27 meters tall. It was build as a replacement of lighthouse that was there in the first place. The design is based on a lighthouse located by Erie lake in Ohio, USA (non-existent) that was considered the most beautiful lighthouse in America. The Lighthouse served purpose of costal lighthouse, harbour pilots tower and time ball station.

The light part of the lighthouse :)

The Time Ball is a funny little thing. The idea of it goes back to 19th century. It was supposed to help ship's captains to set their chronometers, which were crucial in establishing ship's position in the sea. The time balls were placed in all important ports around the world. The one in Gdansk is quite pretty I must say. The only regret I have is that it is out of reach, because, like a small child, I like to touch everything :)

Round and round I went :)

Also from this lighthouse on 1st of September 1939 at 4.45am a signal was given to Schleswig-Holstein to start firing at Westerplatte (to this day a mark on Lighthouse's wall is visible where polish army shoot as a response to the attack). In other words: This is where IIWW started!

The window.

When it comes to the Lighthouse, don't expect miracles. There is no room for any museum-type displays, however you can find around lighthouse and on the stairs pictures and stories of other lighthouses (worth having a look). The selling point of the Lighthouse is the view. On a clear day you can easily see Gdynia and probably Hel. It also gives unique viewpoint of Westerplatte.

Nice fence, right?

If you have spare hour in your day, I'd say you should check it out :)

See you soon, Lighthouse :)

Platea Spiritum Sanctum

The entrance

 I'm back from the wild. I must admit it was hard to leave the forest behind. Not because I got lost, I was holding on to the quiet and the greenery. Don't get me wrong. I spent in the forest five hours couple of Saturdays ago, so I haven't been living there past few weeks :) Just this memory stayed with me for longer, but it is time to return to the living. Re-immerse in Gdansk. And there is no better way to do that than with a walk.

Details

I found this article on the Internet about one street in Gdansk, I briefly read it and thought: "That's it". As it turned out I thought the article was about different street. I sadly must admit that I don't know the street names in Old-Town Gdansk. So if you ever come across me in the streets of Gdansk, for the love of God, do not ask me for directions. There is no telling where I could send you :)

Different perspective :)

As I said, when I read the article I thought is about different street, then I checked it on the map. When I went to take pictures, I realized I still thought of wrong street. Fortunately my phone navigation showed me to right place :)

Please don't eat the buildings

Before I start (whaaat?? didn't I start already? :) I just wanted to say, that this street might not be the most beautiful street in Gdansk, it might not be the postcard street, but if you are exploring Old Town, you just might want to stop there for a minute or two.

This "thing" is just too big the get it in one shot (The Royal Chapel and Basilica)

Since first mentioned in 1336 as Heilige - Geist - Gasse (Holy Spirit Street) the street went through transition few times. The street was named after a hospital that was located here. As one can assume, huge part of the street belonged to church (since construction of Basilica started in 1346 nearby plots were purchased and administer by church officials.

Meat Market; source: http://trojmiasto.gazeta.pl/trojmiasto/55,35612,8222458.html

What one might not know is that there was tremendous amount of traders and guild located there too. On this very street Brotmarkt (Bread Market) was located, where every Saturday one could purchase any type of baked goods and any baker could sell (even them, who weren't affiliated to the guild). And Fleischebanke (Meat Market), which in XVI was upgraded to Gothic-styled brick building and where over 80 butches of Gdansk guild were located. Many other trade was located on Holy Spirit Street (strawberry market, cloth market, and many more traders and works), but I regret closure of the meat markets the most.

Daniel Chodowiecki's Picture: Long Street, Gdansk

Apparently this street is also famous for having loads of famous people as residents :) However I didn't see any records of Madonna or Lady Gaga living there :) The list is long, so I will mention only few people: Paul Beneke who, I am sure Italians aren't very fond of for seizing Memling's triptych The Last Judgment; Daniel Chodowiecki - painter and printmaker; and probably most famous of them all - Arthur Schopenhauer.

No. 109

Although, in my opinion (and I think many people would agree) the eye-catcher of the street is The Royal Chapel. It was built 1678 - 1681, when Lutherans took over the Basilica. The build was initiated by polish king - John III Sobieski (hence the name:) The Chapel is kept in unusual for Gdansk baroque style. It does stand out for sure, but in my weird opinion, I think it complements the Basilica in some strange way :)

And finally, place to regroup :)