Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia, and the Hel Peninsula: 75 Years Later

To celebrate the New Year, I ventured to the North to visit the Polish cities of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot, in addition to spending a day on the Hel Peninsula.

This trip had hints of adventure, history, and science as I visited both an Aquarium as well as a Science Center in Gdynia and spent time on the beaches of Sopot and Hel. Although the weather was a bit cold for the beach 🙂 it was still beautifully serene.

In Gdansk, I delved into World War II history spending time at the Second World War Museum (the slanted building in one of the pictures below) and also enjoyed visited Westerplatte. Westerplatte is where World War II unfolded in Europe, following the September 1, 1939 German Invasion of Poland. At the time, Gdańsk had been a free State created by the Treaty of Versailles, following World War One. After the brief Battle of Westerplatte, Nazi Germany took control of the area despite the valiant efforts of Polish fighters. I’ve included a few pictures of both the battle ruins that remain as well as of the monument that stands to commemorate this first clash between Poles and Germans in the Second World War.

Also in Gdansk, more recent Polish history concerning the Solidarity moment is well documented in the European Solidarity Center, which I visited in order to learn more about the labor organization turned political movement that helped to lead to the creation of a partially democratic Poland before the end of Communism. Thanks to the work of shipyard workers led by Lech Wałensa, the Solidarność movement took Poland by storm. From the fight for recognition and allowance to become a labor union and the fight for workers’ rights in the midst of communism, to a period of Marshall Law which was established as the Communists were losing absolute control, to a second round of negotiations that allowed for a limited or partial democracy within the Polish Parliament, the Polish people came together to cast off the chains of a Communist government and the domineering USSR. Much of this unfolded throughout the 1970s and 80s. It’s important to note that this precious freedom was not easily attained, as it came about only after the death, bloodshed, and imprisonment of workers who fought for their rights and coerced the capitulation of a communist state that had ruled with an iron fist. The more I learn of Solidarność, the more I appreciate the reality that this dark history is not far behind us. I am continuing to learn, and as I do, I remain inspired by the patriotism, resilience, and resolve of the Polish people who have experienced great hardship namely at the hand of Germany in World War II and the Soviets in the years following the War. Nevertheless, they managed to persevere their culture, history, and beautiful language as a strong and independent people.

I also visited the nearby Castle of Malbork, which belonged to the Order of Teutonic Knights in Malbork who had once ruled the Free City of Gdansk.

From Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia, and Hel Peninsula - this is a compilation of pictures highlighting the time from the Battle of Westerplattz during WWII to Solidarnosć which led to Polish freedom in the late 1980s.

I took these pictures of WWII era relics when I visited the Hel Peninsula (near Gdańsk, Poland) This is where the Battle of Westerplatte ensued.