Visit districts of Gdańsk with Local Guides

City Culture Institute introduces the sixth summer season of free walks with Local Guides. You can visit Biskupia Górka, Dolne Miasto, Zaspa, and Nowy Port from June 20^th. From July Orunia will join in as a new district on the map of alternative walks in Gdańsk. Dates of particular walks can be found here: www.ikm.gda.pl/alternatywne-spacery/.

– Biskupia Górka is an amazing place thanks to its authentic structure dating back to 19^th and 20^th century. This cosy district is located in the heart of Gdańsk, but it is completely cut from the city centre by the main artery. Biskupia Górka consists of three streets – Biskupia, Na Stoku and Salvator; they all remained narrow staircases, glamorous elevations in the tenement buildings, which preserved its historic style, as well as cobblestone decorating the streets. Old signs on the walls remind us of the pre-war times, when most of the citizens spoke German. – Ryszard Kopittke, Local Guide, talks about Biskupia Górka.

The first walk around Biskupia Górka will take place on June 20^th at 5:30pm. Starting point: ul. Mennonitów 2 next to kościół Zielonoświątkowy (Pentecostal Church). Walks in Biskupia Górka take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 12:00.

Jacek Górski, Local Guide and member of Stowarzyszenie Opowiadacze Dolnego Miasta (Association of Storytellers in Dolne Miasto), talks about Dolne Miasto, which used to be the channel district.

– Initially Dolne Miasto was all covered by the water from the sea bay. Later on it started to regress and eventually it left the lake behind. As time passed by, it turned into swamp, then into forest, which got cut and livestock and swine began to be grazed there. As swine were in majority, the land gained the name Świńskie Łąki (Swine Meadow). When the city started to develop, it was decided to dry the place and build a network of channels to enhance the drying process. Due to this fact the place was called for a while the Northern Amsterdam.

The first walk around Dolne Miasto will take place on June 21^st at 5:30pm, next ones on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm and Sunday at 12:00. Starting point: Stągwie Mleczne, ul. Motławska 14.

The best time to visit Zaspa falls between June 27^th ad July 8^th, when we get the chance to observe artists from Argentina and Poland working on their projects for the Monumental Art Festival. First tour with a Local Guide will take place on June 21^st at 5:30pm, whereas the next ones on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 1:00pm. Starting point: Klub Plama GAK at ul. Pilotów 11.

During the walk not only do we get to know the murals but district’s history and architecture as well:

– Zaspa is celebrating its 42^nd birthday this year. Today the interiors of Zaspa’s honeycombs are filled with greenery. It preserved its original urban plan and managed to avoid excessive density. Kids on their way to school have to cross just one calm street. Convenient localisation enables to get to every part of Tricity agglomeration. The architects of Zaspa were inspired by the project of Le Mirail district in Toulouse, which was designed by Georges Candilis, Greek student of Le Corbusier – says Jarek Orłowski, Local Guide.

Walks around Nowy Port will start on June 22^nd next to the former Morski Dom (Marine House) at ul. Marynarki Polskiej 15. We invite you to join the walks twice a week: on Wednesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 12:00.

In Nowy Port we will learn about relatively unknown history of the 40s, because it is in Nowy Port where in August 1946 the Dockers Strike broke out. Moreover, we will get to know more about its marine history as well as everyday life going on so close to the harbour.

– Because of the extraordinary surrounding the citizens of this particular district can experience sounds such as hooting ferry, which is heading to Sweden, or in the past they could hear the working engine of Wisłoujście ferry coursing from Nabrzeże Zbożowe from 1977 until May 31^st 2016. – says Katarzyna Werner, Local Guide around Nowy Port.

The walks last until the middle of September and they are free of charge.

Singing up: sien@ikm.gda.pl, phone number (+48) 58 301 2016, or City Culture Institute at ul. Długi Targ 39/40.

Dates of particular walks can be found here: www.ikm.gda.pl/alternatywne-spacery/