Recreation by the Polish seaside does not have to mean whole days spent on beaches and in fish bars. On the contrary - Pomerania is a region full of attractions, centuries-old monuments and interesting history, worth getting to know. And if it is true that traveling educates, there is no better way to discover the charms of Pomerania than on a journey.
Let's start our trip in Gdańsk. Our taxi can wait for you, for example, at the intersection of Chmielna and Stągiewna streets. It is an attractive, downtown location, rich in hotel and catering offer. It is a convenient point if you spend the night there or have gone for breakfast.
This is where we will go to Malbork and Kwidzyn - during this trip you will also see other charming places and attractions outside the Tri-City.
Short visit to Tczew
After leaving Gdansk, our taxi will head towards Malbork, but before we get there, an interesting place to visit is Tczew - one of the oldest cities in Pomerania. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, when a trade settlement related to the flow of goods across the Vistula was established here.
In 1410, preparations for the Battle of Grunwald, which was of decisive importance for the history of Poland and Europe, took place here.
Today Tczew is a city with a rich history, preserved architecture from various eras and the Vistula Museum, located in the building of the former Emil Kelch Metal Products Factory and the Shipwreck Conservation Center.
We will stop here briefly, in the city park, from where you can see the impressive Tczew Bridge, which at the time of its opening (1857) was the longest bridge in Europe, with a total length of 1052 m. This over 150-year-old structure was decorated with majestic turrets overlooking the panorama of the Vistula River.
This Art Nouveau element of infrastructure is an inseparable element of the city's image, from where you can admire the Vistula valley and the surrounding area.
Sightseeing of the Teutonic Castle in Malbork
Our journey is really just beginning, because in front of us is one of the largest and most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world. Malbork Castle was built in the years 1280-1309 as the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order.
The castle was one of the most important centers of power in Central Europe and was the headquarters of the Teutonic Order for over 200 years.
In the 16th century, the castle became Polish property and was rebuilt into a royal residence. During wars and political changes, the castle underwent many damages and changes, until finally in the 19th century it was restored and restored to its original form.
The Palace of the Grand Masters with its cellars, the beautiful Great Refectory, chambers of dignitaries, a passage with painted fragments of scenes from the Apocalypse of St. John, the armory, and also climb the castle towers - including Gdanisko, from where there is a wonderful view of the city.
Among the collections available to see at the Castle Museum, you will find collections of ceramics, amber, architectural details, as well as historical documents.
An interesting place to see is also the Church of Saint John the Baptist in Malbork from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries with a Gothic baptismal font from the 14th century. In the church, there is also a painting of Solomon's Judgment from around 1600 painted on a board, and a painting of Our Lady with Child from 1629 located in the Baroque altar.
The castle tour alone may take up to 3-4 hours, but don't worry! The taxi driver is at your disposal and will wait in one of the nearby cafes. You should also think about rest, after all, nothing increases the appetite like many hours of hiking. After leaving the castle grounds, it is worth having lunch to regenerate your strength and prepare for further hiking.
An interesting place, often visited by tourists, is the Italian restaurant Rotatoria, located a short distance from the Teutonic castle, serving, among others, pizza and pasta.
Another attraction for history lovers — Kwidzyn
Feed? If so, we can move on, because although Malbork is a legendary place, it does not mean that there are no other worth seeing objects in the vicinity. For this reason, our taxi is heading towards Kwidzyn.
Our goal is the 14th century castle of the Pomesanian Chapter located on the Route of Gothic Castles. The castle is located on a hill above the Liwia River and was an important point of defense and episcopal administration. During wars and conflicts, the castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
Currently, the castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Poland and is an important tourist attraction of the city. Its old walls now house a branch of the castle museum in Malbork. In the facility, it is possible to watch permanent (natural and ethnographic) and temporary exhibitions.
Apart from the castle, in Kwidzyn it is also worth seeing the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which is another of the most important monuments of Gothic architecture in Poland, built in 1325. Other monuments include the ruins of the town hall tower from the 14th century, expanded in the 19th century and destroyed during the war, and fragments of Gothic defensive walls from the 14th century.
The city itself also deserves a walk and admire beautiful, post-German buildings, such as a baroque granary from 1742 or the Regency Palace.
Castle for the third time - Wrath
Our taxi tour is tailor-made for lovers of history, architecture and walking! After three hours in Kwidzyn, we head to Gniew, crossing the recently built bridge over the Vistula River, where the smallest of the castles on our route is located.
Dating back to the 13th century, the building has a rich history, from the times of the Teutonic Order to the administration of Jan Sobieski, before he became the King of Poland.
A chapel, defensive cloisters, a room dedicated to World War II and the Grunwald exhibition are available for sightseeing in the castle. An interesting place, however, is the torture chamber, where you can see the old tools, thanks to which you can familiarize yourself with the techniques used by the then masters in their profession.
The castle now also serves as the walls of a hotel and restaurant, where you can have dinner in a unique atmosphere - if you are still hungry after visiting the torture chamber (although fear can whet your appetite!). The restaurant offers both meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as delicious desserts.
The way back through Pelplin
After a delicious dinner, it's time to go back to Gdańsk, but it won't be a boring journey! After all, the Pomeranian Voivodeship is not only castles and the sea. The way back will lead through Pelplin, where you will be able to see the magnificent cathedral basilica from 1258, which houses beautiful baroque organs from the 17th century, and Mount John Paul II, where in 1999 the Pope celebrated a holy mass for the faithful.
On the hill, there is a 30-metre-high stainless steel cross, which is a pilgrimage and vigil point, such as after the death of John Paul II in 2005.
End of the trip in Gdańsk
Evening return to Gdańsk is a great opportunity to admire the views outside the window while traveling around the Starogard Lake District and the sunset over the horizon. Now we are heading to the starting point of our trip, i.e. Gdańsk.
We hope you had a pleasant trip and that you came back really tired, but full and satisfied.
Renting a taxi for such a trip will significantly increase its comfort - on the one hand, it will ensure the convenience of traveling by car, on the other - it will save you from the problems that are an inseparable element of such a journey: looking for places parking lots, arguing with navigation and searching for the most interesting, optimal route.
Personal driver will also wait for you, in case the sightseeing or lunch is a bit longer (as opposed to train, bus or large package tours), will make necessary stops (especially when you take your children with you on your trip) and will help you keep track of your trip plan, not forgetting any of its points.
With all this in mind, this way of traveling seems to be extremely comfortable, but also practical. In that case, there's only one question left for us to ask - are you getting in?
