Poland - Gdansk - City Of Proud Merchants (68/151)

Poland - Gdansk - City Of Proud Merchants (68/151)

Danzig, or Gdansk, is one of the oldest trade and manufacturing centers on the Baltic, looking back on a fascinating and incomparable history full of both - tragedy and glory. To this very day, the allegorical figures on the Golden Gate of Danzig represent Peace, Freedom, Wealth and Fame, the last and greatest of three gates to the mighty fortress of the city. It leads to Danzig's main boulevard, Ulica Dluga or Long Street, once home to the richest and mightiest citizens. Polish kings and their court resided here on Royal Road when in town. At its greatest glory, the city of Gdansk earned twice the revenue as all the rest of Poland, and the kings became dependent on the favor of the rich merchants. Gdansk was indeed one of the greatest cities-states of Europe. Its fortune and power derived from the harbor on the Motlawa, where ships from all over the world anchored.