Visiting Sopot

If you want to see Sopot, you should first know some interesting things about its past.

In the distant Iron Age, about 650-400 B.C., peoples of the East-European culture, regarded as ancestors of the Slavs, lived in the area that is now Sopot; but only in the Early Middle Ages did they leave fragments of wooden fortified buildings behind. The history of Sopot is more distinct as from the 13th century, when the village was taken over by the Cistercian monastery of Oliva, although it was subsequently deprived of the right to the village for about 150 years. In the 16th and the 17th centuries the richest and the most influential patricians from Gdańsk started to build their summer residences here, obviously in accordance with the fashions and patterns of the Enlightenment. A bad period for Sopot was the Napoleonic Wars: the armed conflicts between Prussia and the Independent City of Gdańsk largely destroyed Sopot, and the Prussians, to whom it had fallen after the first partition of Poland, did not care for its reconstruction.

At the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth century the salubrious properties of the seaside resort were discovered, and a pier and the first villas were built. Doctors recommended the marine climate and baths. In 1824 the first names of streets appeared, and the number of inhabitants of Sopot grew rapidly. In 1902, when Sopot was granted municipal rights by the authorities of Berlin, it already boasted 10,000 inhabitants and as many as 12,500 visitors. The turning-point, however, in its history was the act of connecting it with Gdańsk by means of a railway line, which made Sopot a part of Gdańsk and a regular destination for the rich and famous. In 1920 a casino was opened in one of the villas of the spa, and it was later transferred to the Grand Hotel. Many people lost all they had, which in some cases ended in committing suicide.

At the beginning of the 20th century Sopot expanded and became a real health resort. To get to the pier, which is the most important place of the present-day town, you must go from the railway station along Kościuszki Street, which is connected with Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street. Kościuszki Street is lined with beautiful art. nouveau villas, the facades of which are ornamented with tiny details like tiles, stucco-work and moulds. Farther on, following the classical promenade along Monte Cassino Street, you will pass by dozens of tables put out by little cafes, where tourists and inhabitants of the town spend hours in conversation, reading or playing chess. The street also has numerous shops, bars and stalls with fruit and souvenirs; there are two cinemas and a gallery in the street.

But the main tourist attraction in Sopot is a pier which is 500 meters long and is one of the longest in Europe. It also serves as a port for yachts and ships. Along the pier there are comfortable benches, and at the end of it a little bar is situated. From the end of the pier you can admire the view of Westerplatte and the Northern Port, Gdynia and even the Hel Peninsula. An inseparable element of the panorama of Sopot is the Grand Hotel. Another attraction of Sopot's pier is the swans swimming along the beach, so remember to take some bread with you to feed them.

The Northern Park stretches to the north of the pier. When seeing the park be sure to visit the State Gallery of Art., which is the scene of interesting avantgarde exhibitions, numerous projections of films, lectures, and various happenings. It is worth noticing that it is regarded as one of the most important and exciting galleries in Poland.

Last but not least, be sure to visit the Sylvan Opera. Many asphalt paths lead to this place hidden in a picturesque forest, to which you can get by going along Moniuszki Street. An International Festival of Song is held here year after year, and it attracts famous Polish and international singers as well as countless fans.

You can be sure that you will have a great time in Sopot!

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