The Crooked House

The Crooked House, Sopot

Unlike animals and all wildlife I feel awaken by winter. Finally after autumn-ish christmas, and snowless New Year's, temperature dropped closer to zero than ever before (this winter :) The snow didn't melt for a week now, and I feel inspired :) (just hoping quietly that for couple more of weeks of winter, it would be truly great:).

Panorama of inside of the Crooked House

So my inspiration took me to Sopot, to admire one of the most popular buildings of modern architecture. This piece of architecture is called "Krzywy Domek", which translate to "The Crooked House". I think that this building is one of the most recognizable landmark of Sopot (right after the Pier). Mostly because, you just can't pass by this building without noticing it.

The Crooked House at Night

So to give you the background of its origins: the project was inspired by children book illustrations (no surprise there :) of Jan Marcin Szancer, and Per Dahlberg - swedish artist, who lived in Sopot, among other cities. The project was created in 2001 by local architects - Szotyńscy.
The building was completed in 2004.

The Wall of Fame

If you look closely at the front of the building you might notice little stones attached to wall. If you know your stars, you might notice that they form constellations (I am not constellation expert, but I found  Great Bear on the left side of the entry).

The Crooked House inside

I know that the building is called "The Crooked House", but if it was up to me I would call it smiling house, or cheerful house. When I look at this building I feel that it is genuinely happy.

Even the gate is smiling :)

The building itself is quite long. I even feel like it wasn't that long when they first made it. Inside you will find coffee shops, restaurants and - at higher levels - clubs. But further down the building you can find a little shopping centre.

The "other" entrance to The Crooked House

In 2008 "Village of Joy" announced our beloved Crooked House to be no. 1 of Strange Buildings of the World list. However same year the list was reviewed, and shortlisted. The Crooked House was placed at no. 4 of Top 10 Strangest Buildings in the World. Tough luck. Despite all that we love you Crooked House and are happy you enrich Sopot streets.

Sopot: Beach and the Pier

Panorama of  Pier in Sopot

The time has come to visit another TriCity beach. Upon a friend's request it's going to be Sopot beach and the famous pier. First time I visited the pier I was around 8 years old. The whole family was sitting at my grandparents, who lived in Sopot at that time, when my parents realized that I have never been to pier. To rectify that embarrassing fact they ordered my older brother to take me there ASAP.

I remember my brother carrying me on his shoulders all the way to the end of the pier, and I think it was the longest shoulder ride I ever got :)

Spa House in Sopot

As I was heading out for the pier I didn't expect to be the only person that would be there, especially that it was very sunny that day. But the amount of people taking a walk surprised me. I haven't been to pier for two years and within that time it became really popular.

Crowds on pier in Sopot

Even the birds seemed to noticed that as they crowded for food from strollers.

Inspired by "The Birds" of Hitchcock

Undouptedly Sopot's pier is a tourist spot, but it is also one of a kind place. The structure is completly made of wood and mesures 511,5 meter. Threrfore it is the longest wooden pier in Europe.

The Pier ; source: molo.sopot.pl

The pier has been built in 1827 and at first measured only 31,5 meter. Soon after it grew to more impressive 315 meters. The shape of pier that we can see today has been formed in 1928. As I was reading the pier was build to serve a purpose of support deck of nearby baths that were part of spa build there by Jean Georg Haffner. Soon though it became an attraction and place of social importance, and it is till this day :)

Towards the end of the pier there is a cafe that looks like a ship. As a child I remember there was a mini Madame Tussaud museum with wax statues, but hey, can't have everything :) The ship is ok. Especially that you can climb on its deck and admire the pier and the sea. For person on my height it does make a difference :)

View from the deck of pier's ship

View from the deck of pier's ship

 

In 2011 next to the pier was built a marina. In summer time that place is packed with people. There are plenty of benches around marina, that make it perfect place to sunbathe while enjoying the hussle and bussle of the pier.

Once finished exploring the pier, you might want to go down to the beach and enjoy the sand and water. And close company of birds:)

Sopot beach

Sopot beach

Under the pier