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Gdansk Royal Route - Walk along the Royal Way!Half a millennium ago, a growing seaport along the Baltic Coast blossomed into a diverse, wealthy, and influential metropolis. Regal leaders and savvy merchants saw their fortunes multiply and as their pockets deepened, many built homes along the main road, today known as Dlugi Targ. This street, paved with the profits of an ever-expanding trading empire, became the site of Gdansk’s historic Royal Route. Today, the Royal Route shelters some of the city’s finest treasures, from the Neptune Fountain to the Golden Gate.A walk along this storied path begins at the Upland (or Highland) Gate, first built in the 16th century by the renowned Saxon, Hans Kramer, as part of Gdansk’s outer walls. As the walls have been gone for quite some time, the gate stands alone, adorned with fierce lions and the emblems of Royal Prussia, the City of Gdansk, and the King of Poland. Visiting dignitaries would have begun parades and processions at the Upland Gate’s mighty doors before proceeding down the Royal Way. It’s a lot of history for what’s essentially a glorified door, but what type of wealthy rulers wouldn’t want to give you a good first impression! A good quarter mile down the road from the start of the Royal Route, you’ll find yourselves looking out onto the Motlawa River from underneath the Green gate, where one of Democracy’s most famous knights, Lech Walesa, keeps his offices. This gate not only gives shelter to Walesa’s countless awards and recognitions, but marks the completion of the Royal Route. Woah…so a couple of gates and about 400 meters of pavement…what’s draw of Gdansk’s Royal Route? Well, the Upland and Green gates bookend just about every famous stone in Gdansk. Arthur’s Court, accented with vibrant gold, is still a major political center where presidential candidates gave speeches during the recent elections. The Old Town Hall, the second tallest building in the city, has been restored inside and out to take you back to Gdansk’s proudest days. Nearby, the Golden Gate tells you all that you need to know about the city’s fiercely independent character, proclaiming that "Concord makes minor states grow, discord makes major ones collapse". Renowned Gun clubs, the scientific elite, and wealthy merchants have also left their mark on the Royal Route, leaving behind animated facades and ornate porches. As you breath deeply the architectural beauty and lively history, you’ll be sure to note that the Royal Route is still very much the center of modern Gdansk. Bustling with people both young and old, filled with the smells of world class restaurants, and bearing witness to events like the start of Poland’s greatest cycling event, there’s always something exciting going on. Come join us for a walk into Gdansk’s cultural epicenter! The Royal Way include: Upland Gate - Torture House - Prison Tower - Golden Gate - Long Street (Uphagen House, Main Town Hall) - Long Market (Arthur's Court, Neptune fountain) - Green Gate
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