Manhole Alley in Gdańsk: An attraction right under your feet

Did you know that some of the most fascinating stories about Gdańsk are hidden… right under your feet? Manhole Alley on Ołowianka Island is a place where cast-iron sewer covers are transformed into extraordinary exhibits, revealing the history of the city, its industry, and its international ties.

This isn't just a tourist attraction, but a journey through time, geography, and engineering imagination. Want to see Gdańsk from a completely different perspective?

1. Alley of historic manhole covers: the heritage of Gdańsk and other cities

2. The metamorphosis of the Ołowianka headland: From industrial chaos to a green enclave of history

3. A Walk Through Time and Geography: Catalog of the Manhole Alley Exhibits

4. Your adventure on Ołowianka: Practical guide and attractions

Alley of historic manhole covers: the heritage of Gdańsk and other cities

You probably know this scenario: a visit to Gdańsk involves a walk along the Royal Route , a photo at the Neptune Fountain, and admiration for the architecture of Mariacka Street.

These are absolute classics. What if I told you that one of the most fascinating stories about Gdańsk is written not in brick walls, but in cast iron?

I invite you for a walk along Gdańsk's Manhole Alley – a place where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and forgotten everyday objects speak as "silent witnesses of history."

This guide will take you through three dimensions of this unique place: the extraordinary transformation of its location, the wealth of stories told by a unique collection in which historic manhole covers play a central role, and its role as a gateway to discovering other treasures of Ołowianka Island.

This is proof of how even manhole covers can become carriers of fascinating stories.

The metamorphosis of the Ołowianka headland: From industrial chaos to a green enclave of history

The history of the Alley itself is as fascinating as its exhibits. To fully appreciate this place, you need to know what it was like before.

Reclaimed Land: From a Forgotten Corner to a Walking Heart

Just a few years ago, the northern tip of Ołowianka was a place that few people paid much attention to. It was described as "closed and neglected, overgrown with thickets." A raw, industrial character dominated. This spectacular change came on June 11, 2021 .

After the official opening of the manhole , a beautifully developed green walking space was created on an area of 5,000 m² .

The austere landscape has been “humanized” by introducing a multi-species composition of shrubs, ornamental grasses and flowers, offering completely new, panoramic views of the Main Town.

The heart of Gdańsk engineering and the vision of GIWK

The location of the alley is no accident. The new manhole avenue was deliberately created around the historic Ołowianka sewage pumping station , which has been one of Gdańsk's "key, operational sewer facilities" for over 150 years.

The exhibition is a brilliant move and creates a powerful synergy: if the historic manhole covers are "windows" into the underground world of urban infrastructure, then the pumping station is its beating heart. This allows the manhole alley to connect the exhibits with their authentic surroundings.

The project is being developed by Gdańsk Water and Sewer Infrastructure (GIWK) . As CEO Jacek Skarbek recalls, the company has been collecting historic manhole covers for years, saving them during street renovations to protect them from destruction.

The goal was to honor these objects as "important witnesses to the history and development of civilization" and to show how the city's sewage system works.

A Walk Through Time and Geography: Catalog of the Manhole Alley Exhibits

Upon entering the Alley, you embark on a journey divided into three thematic paths.

In the footsteps of old Gdańsk (Historical Manhole Alley)

This is the heart of the collection, which consists of 22 historic hatches .

• Local stories in cast iron: 19 of them come from Gdańsk alone , mostly from the interwar period. They were found in places like Wrzeszcz and Oliwa, and were produced by local, pre-war foundries.

• Regional connections: The collection is complemented by 2 hatches from the historic Herzfeld & Victorius foundry in Grudziądz and 1 hatch from Bydgoszcz , manufactured by Windschild & Langelott.

These historic covers are micro-archives of economic history. The names of the foundries are key to understanding the industrial history of not only Gdańsk but also the entire region. Each of these exhibits is a unique manhole cover used decades ago in the urban fabric.

International ties (Foreign and Contemporary Polish Manhole Alleys)

The further walk leads along alleys where contemporary Polish and foreign manhole covers are presented.

• Travel around Poland: Here you will find manhole covers from cities such as Łódź, Olsztyn, Opole, Szczecin, Kielce and Kraków .

• Gdańsk on the international stage: The most interesting is the foreign collection, created thanks to gifts from "friendly cities ." Here you will see foreign manhole covers from Turku (Finland), Bremen (Germany), and Kharkiv (Ukraine) .

This collection is a form of subtle cultural diplomacy. Each foreign manhole cover symbolizes Gdańsk's relationship: the one in Bremen alludes to its Hanseatic past, the one in Turku emphasizes its Baltic identity, and the one in Kharkiv becomes a moving symbol of solidarity. In this way, the alley of manhole covers connects Gdańsk with the world.

Category	Origin	Period / Manufacturer	Key Feature/Meaning
Historical	Gdansk	The interwar period	Representation of local, historic Gdańsk foundries.
Historical	Grudziadz	Herzfeld & Victorius	Evidence of regional industrial links.
Historical	Bydgoszcz	Windschild & Langelott	An example of engineering from another important center.
Foreign	Turku, Finland	Contemporary	A symbol of partnership and cooperation between Baltic cities.
Foreign	Bremen, Germany	Contemporary	Reflection of historical (Hanse) and current ties.
Foreign	Kharkiv, Ukraine	Contemporary	A sign of solidarity with war-torn Ukraine.
Contemporary Polish	Krakow, Lodz, etc.	Contemporary	A cross-section of contemporary Polish municipal engineering.

Your adventure on Ołowianka: Practical guide and attractions

Gdańsk's Manhole Alley is the perfect starting point for exploring the entire island.

Planning Your Visit: Logistics and Valuable Tips

• Location: The alley can be found on the northern tip of Ołowianka Island , near the address Ołowianka Street 4.

• Availability: This is a free, year-round exhibition, available at any time.

• On-site: Benches for rest and unique views await. Tall flagpoles stand at the tip of the promontory.

• Dynamic nature: Remember that the alley is "not a closed project ." Perhaps during your visit, the collection, which already includes dozens of historical manhole covers , will grow even larger! It's also worth checking if the announced educational app is already available.

Ołowianka – your base camp

Treat Manhole Alley as the beginning of your adventure. Within a short walk you'll find:

• National Maritime Museum: Located in the restored granaries "Panna", "Miedź" and "Oliwski".

• Museum ship "Sołdek" : The first ship built in a Polish shipyard after World War II.

• Polish Baltic Philharmonic: A majestic building with a fantastic concert hall.

• Amber Promenade of Stars: An avenue with the handprints of celebrities from the world of cinema and music, such as David Lynch and Roman Polanski.

The proximity of these two avenues creates a fascinating dialogue. One celebrates the handprints of world-renowned artists, the other the anonymous works of forgotten craftsmen. These unique , historic manhole covers are worth appreciating as a testament to history.

Look down to see more

Gdańsk's Manhole Alley is a testament to the city's creativity and respect for every layer of its history. So, on your next visit to Gdańsk, or indeed any other city, venture off the beaten track.

Look down and discover what stories lie hidden beneath manhole covers . Sometimes the most interesting stories lie where no one else is looking.