Gdansk at a Gdlance. . .

From the beginning of WW II to the 1980's, Gdansk has played an historic role in world events. Hitler started WW II by invading Gdansk and occupying the mostly German city (at that time). Gdansk has an interesting history. Unlike most other cities in Europe, up until WW II it was a free city-state, neither German nor Polish. It has a very Hanseatic-like (aka Amsterdam-like) feel to it. With its rows of tall, narrow, wide-windowed buildings it doesn't feel traditionally Polish. Then came Solidarnosc. . . And thus began the change for all of Europe. It took another 9 years but the iron curtain was lifted and it started at a somewhat gritty area of Gdansk.

My hotel in historic Gdansk. This is reportedly the oldest building in Gdansk, ca 1439.

Typical street in Gdansk.

Gate at the Gdansk Shipyards where in 1980  the striking workers listed their demands - 21 x Tak.
A picture of Pope John Paul II still hangs on the gate, as it did at the time.

Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers, who were killed in 1970 after being convinced to come back to work.
They were gunned down as they reported to work the next day.
This monument was the first time the communist government allowed such a thing to be erected.