Description of the attraction
The Long Market is a square in Gdansk, which is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city.
Founded in the 13th century, the square was first used as a trade road leading to the market. Soon after the bloody capture of Gdansk by the Teutonic knights, the street became the main artery of the city. The official German name Langgasse appeared in 1331, the Polish version of the Dlugi Targ was introduced only in 1552. Before the partition of Poland, the street was also called the Royal Route, because the solemn road to the city passed here when the Polish monarchs visited Gdansk. During the monarchs' visits, festivals, fireworks and festivities were held here. The streets were inhabited by rich people: nobles, merchants and citizens who occupied important city posts.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, meat was traded on the Long Market on Saturdays, and live piglets were sold on the stretch between the Fountain of Neptune and the City Hall. Executions of witches, heretics and criminals were also arranged here, who, however, were nobles or legal citizens. The rest of the executions took place elsewhere.
At the end of the 19th century, tram lines appeared on the Long Market, which were removed during the post-war period during reconstruction. During World War II, the vast majority of buildings on the street were destroyed.
The Long Market houses the Town Hall building, the Neptune fountain, the Golden House, the Green Gate and many other famous architectural monuments of the city.
