Golden Gate and Dluga Street

The Golden Gate, built in 1614, is the ornate western entrance to Dluga Street and the formal start of the Royal Way in the Main Town of Gdansk, in Poland's Pomeranian region. Its facade facing the street carries allegorical statues and gilded inscriptions that celebrate civic virtues such as peace, freedom, concord and fame, and it is among the finest examples of the Dutch-influenced Mannerist style that shaped the city's architecture. The gate sits at the western end of ul. Dluga, and from there the street runs east in a straight line towards the Long Market, the Main Town Hall and the Green Gate. Dluga Street itself is a pedestrian promenade lined with narrow merchant houses, many with ornate stoops, sculpted portals and painted or carved facades. Most of the buildings were rebuilt after the Second World War, and walking the street gives a good sense of how the postwar reconstruction recreated the character of the historic centre. Cafes, amber and souvenir shops, and restaurants occupy the ground floors. Visitors can walk the full length in 10 to 15 minutes, but a visit of 20 to 30 minutes allows time to study the statues on the gate and the details of the facades. The gate and the street are public and open 24 hours, with no ticket needed. The best photograph of the gate is taken from the Highland Gate side, from where the arch frames the street; a second popular angle is from the middle of Dluga Street looking back west. Early morning gives an empty street and soft light, which is also the quietest time. By late morning in summer the street fills with tour groups, and it stays busy until evening. The area is a roughly 8 minute walk from Gdansk Glowny railway station via the Highland Gate and Targ Weglowy, which makes it a natural first stop for visitors arriving by train.