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Westerplatte Sights

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callumpierce
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4 out of 5
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Westerplatte

  • May 15, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Shady Ady from Hinckley, United Kingdom
Westerplatte

If you find yourself in Gdansk, and once you are tired of the old town I would recommend a short trip to the outskirts to a place called Westerplatte. Although there is not a lot to see here, a visit is made worthwhile when you consider the history of this place.

On September 1, 1939, it was at Westerplatte where the first shots of World War II were fired by the German Battleship Schleswig-Holstein. The small Polish garrison of 205 ill equipped Polish Soldiers held out against two warships, aircraft, heavy guns and over 3000 German Soldiers for a week, losing only 14 men compared to over 300 German soldiers.

The original fortifications and barracks have been left as they were, and there is an interesting, though small, museum here detailing the attack.

There is also a 25 foot monument on Westerplatte, which now commemorates the Polish soldiers who were the first to fall in WWII after a heroic battle in the country's defense (see photos). This was built in the typical socialist-realist style during the 1960s.

Although this place might not be of interest to everyone, it is a must see for any history or military fans. I am not really a fan of either of these, but I still enjoyed the visit as it was hard to imagine what had happened here 65 years earlier.

There are two easy ways of getting to Westerplatte. Firstly, you can catch a boat from the bottom of the main street in Gdansk old town. This boat will take you through the old shipyard, and also from Westerplatte you can have a paddle in the Baltic.

If travelling by car from downtown Gdansk first follow the directions signs towards Warsaw and Elblag (E77 - four lane divided highway) and then turn left (from the right lane!) towards Westerplatte, follow the direction signs. Drive across the Dead Vistula river (Martwa Wisla) through the new bridge. Follow the main road through the ugly, industrial zone to a paid parking lot at its end. It's around a 20-25 minute drive in total from downtown Gdansk.

More history can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westerplatte

From journal Things to Do and See Around Gdansk, North Poland

Westerplatte

  • August 19, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by callumpierce from Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Westerplatte

One word describes this monument... epic. From the very first moment you see this monolithic statue, you will be hooked. The monument itself commemorates the place where the Second World War started.

It is a tribute to Polish courage, and undying patriotism, for which their people are famed. It was this point on the peninsula, way back in 1939, that a contingent of Polish soldiers, heavily undersupplied held off the Germans as long as possible, so that the city of Gdańsk would have more chance to prepare for the oncoming attack.

The views from this hilltop are truly amazing, and a photo opportunity lies not only in the statue itself, but in the words that lie near the statue which read (translated from Polish) "NO MORE WAR".

The cranes here, synonymous with the west due to the start of Solidarity, and the news flashes across our screens, are an interesting sight, and well worth a look.

From journal A New Poland

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