Green Gate

The Green Gate in Gdańsk closes off Long Market on the river side and forms the grand finale of the Royal Route. This broad Renaissance building with four archways was meant to be the Gdańsk residence of Polish kings – none ever lived here, but it remains one of the most photogenic sights in the Main Town. Walking through is free, and on the other side you step straight onto the Motława riverfront with views of Granary Island and the medieval Crane.

History

A gate on this spot is recorded as early as 1357, making it probably the oldest water gate in Gdańsk. The present building went up in 1564–1568, designed by Regnier of Amsterdam and Hans Kramer of Dresden – the first example of Dutch Mannerism in the city. Its small "Dutch" bricks were shipped in from Amsterdam as ballast.

It was intended as a royal residence for Polish kings visiting Gdańsk, but no king ever stayed. The most famous guest was Marie Louise Gonzaga, future queen of Poland, who stopped here on February 11–20, 1646 on her way to marry King Władysław IV. Look for the cartouche with the arms of the Kingdom of Poland.

Later the building housed a natural science society and, from 1880 to 1939, the West Prussian Provincial Museum. After wartime destruction it was reconstructed. From 1999 to 2015 it was the office of Lech Wałęsa, the Solidarity leader and former Polish president; his office later moved to the European Solidarity Centre.

What to see

• The two façades, facing Long Market and the river, with decorative gables and four arched passages.
• The view from Green Bridge over the Motława, the Long Embankment and Granary Island.
• Temporary exhibitions of the National Museum in Gdańsk – the gate is a museum branch used for shows, talks and events. Check the program on mng.gda.pl.

How long and is it worth visiting?

Ten to twenty minutes is enough to admire the gate and walk out to the river; add half an hour if an exhibition is on. It is absolutely worth seeing – it is one of the defining images of Gdańsk and a natural end point for your walk along the Royal Route. The passage is level, though cobbled. For photos, try the Long Market side in the morning and the river side after dark.

Practical information (as of October 2026)

• Address: Długi Targ 24, 80-828 Gdańsk
• Admission: walking through the gate is free, 24/7. The National Museum lists the branch as open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm, but whether an exhibition is running depends on the current program.
• Contact (National Museum): +48 58 301 68 04, info@mng.gda.pl
• Getting there: Gdańsk lies on Poland's Baltic coast, about three hours from Warsaw by express train; the airport is roughly 15 km from the center. From Gdańsk Główny station, walk 15–20 minutes down Long Street and Long Market. Central Gdańsk is a paid parking zone.

Nearby

• Artus Court, Neptune Fountain and the Main Town Hall – across Long Market.
• The Long Embankment and the Crane – a few minutes along the river.
• Mariacka Street with its gate.
• Granary Island across Green Bridge.