Westerplatte

Westerplatte is a peninsula at the mouth of the Dead Vistula in the Port of Gdańsk, in Poland's Pomeranian region, and is where the Second World War in Europe began. On 1 September 1939 the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish military transit depot there, and the garrison held out for seven days against far larger forces. Today the site is a memorial park reached from ul. Majora Henryka Sucharskiego. Visitors walk among the ruined guardhouses, barracks, shelters and rail lines that remain, with information boards explaining the course of the fighting. The most prominent feature is the 1966 Monument to the Defenders of the Coast, a tall stone structure that is visible from across the harbour. A branch of the Museum of the Second World War operates in a restored guardhouse and is typically open from 10AM to 6PM Wednesday to Sunday and 10AM to 4PM on Tuesday, charging about 15 PLN for adults and about 10 PLN reduced. The grounds are free and open daily. The walk through the site takes about one and a half to two hours, and the paths are partly wooded and partly open to the harbour. Good vantage points include the monument itself and the harbour edge looking toward the shipping lanes. Buses 106 and 112 serve the peninsula from the centre, taking roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on the starting point, and seasonal boats also run from the Motława waterfront. In summer, midday brings coach groups, so mornings are calmer and cooler. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sun protection, as shade is limited in some areas. The memorial is a solemn place, and quiet, respectful behaviour is expected near the monument and the ruins.