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 :)

Westerplatte

Today I visited Westerplatte. It is not the first time I've been there. Fist time I was dragged there by my parents and grandparents, then at my adulthood I dragged all my guests there. After all, it is "a must see" to all visitors of TriCity, as the II World War began here.

Sign at Westerplatte that says: No more war

The place haven't changed much since my first visit there. However few years back "outside exhibitions" have been added. Essentially they are display boards placed in few areas that describe the beginnings of the War and explain the significance of the place. All information panels, as well as the display boards have both polish and english description. Which I find to be a nice touch. Finally there is no need to drag a translator along :)

As I struggled to convince anyone to tag along for the tour, I was suprised to see whole families strolling through the woods and by the seashore. It was late afternoon - 4pm - so we had to power walk through the place to make it before the nightfall. We almost did. Although I don't think it made such a difference since the whole day was kind of grim and dark.

Cemetery of Fallen Defenders of Westerplatte

Track of a tank

Outpost "Fort"

The word Westerplatte comes from german and means north island. Nowdays it is a peninsula, but back in XIX century it was an island. As silly as this might sound, until today I didn't relize that on the north side of the peninsula there is sea. I have never walked to this bank before. All my visits to Westerplatte were about going upto the monument and back. I have never walked around. As I have learnt today, that is not all that you can do there. There is whole educational path established that would take you through all important spots on Westerplatte peninsula.

  

Nevertheless if you don't feel like walking around, there are few places that you can stumble upon while walking down beaten path. One of them is barrack, or more ruins of a barrack. It has been secured so you can enter it, and even, if you are brave enough, go down to basement level. I wasn't. During the day, I get goose bumps when I even cross the door arch. But today, after nightfall, it look darn scary to me. I wouln't dare come close to it.

The most known and noticable part of Westerplatte is the Monument of the Defenders of the Coast raised on a mountain. The shape of the monument is supposed to resemble a jagged bayonet stuck in the ground. I also read that there should be seven candles that are refering to the seven days of defense of Westerplatte.