Blog Gdansk

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Gdańsk is an important cultural seat containing schools of medicine, engineering, and fine arts; a maritime centre; many fine churches, museums, theatres, and gardens; and a concert hall and an opera house. The National Museum and the Maritime Museum are important institutions. The Dominican Fair, one of the longest-running cultural events in the city, originated in 1260. The University of Gdańsk was founded in 1970. The nearby Westerplatte peninsula is the site of a monument commemorating the servicemen who fought there in the first battle of World War II, in September 1939. The forces at the Westerplatte fort withstood seven days of bombardment by the Germans before surrendering, and the fort remains the foremost symbol of Polish resistance. Gdańsk is part of the Trójmiasto (“Three-City”) urban area, comprising the towns of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. Pop. (2011) 460,276.