Cities
Poland Gdansk Pomeranian Monument

Westerplatte

Westerplatte
About

Westerplatte is one of Gdańsk’s most powerful historic sites, known worldwide as the place where the first shots of the Second World War were fired. Located on a narrow peninsula at the entrance to the port, it served as a Polish Military Transit Depot, strategically positioned yet isolated. On 1 September 1939, German forces launched an attack expecting a quick victory, but the small Polish garrison resisted with remarkable determination for seven days. Their defence became a symbol of courage and national resilience. Today, Westerplatte is an open‑air memorial landscape, where visitors can walk among the preserved guardhouses, ruins, and commemorative plaques that mark the events of those dramatic days. The towering Monument to the Defenders of the Coast stands as a tribute to the soldiers who fought here, overlooking the Baltic Sea. Westerplatte remains a solemn and moving place, inviting reflection on the past and honouring the spirit of resistance that shaped modern Polish history.

Gdansk Poland
Location

Westerplatte is located on a small peninsula in northern Gdańsk, at the entrance to the Port of Gdańsk, where the Dead Vistula meets the Baltic Sea, about 10–12 km from the city centre. Nearby you can reach the Port of Gdańsk, the Nowy Port area, the Wisłoujście Fortress, the Baltic Sea coastline and the Westerplatte Monument with its surrounding park and memorial zone, making it easy to combine with a visit to Gdańsk’s maritime and waterfront sites.

Museum of Gdańsk Main Town Hall Museum of Gdańsk Main Town Hall Gdansk National Museum in Gdańsk National Museum in Gdańsk Gdansk National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk Gdansk Museum of the Second World War Museum of the Second World War Gdansk European Solidarity Centre European Solidarity Centre Gdansk Artus Court Artus Court Gdansk Uphagen House Uphagen House Gdansk Amber Museum Amber Museum Gdansk Archaeological Museum in Gdansk Archaeological Museum in Gdansk Gdansk NOMUS – New Art Museum NOMUS – New Art Museum Gdansk SS Sołdek Museum Ship SS Sołdek Museum Ship Gdansk The Crane The Crane Gdansk Polish Post Office Museum Polish Post Office Museum Gdansk Museum of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Museum of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Gdansk Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski Gdański Teatr Szekspirowski Gdansk Teatr Wybrzeże Teatr Wybrzeże Gdansk Teatr Miniatura Teatr Miniatura Gdansk Teatr Leśny Teatr Leśny Gdansk Baltic Opera Baltic Opera Gdansk Wisłoujście Fortress Wisłoujście Fortress Gdansk Postern of Bastion Schütz Postern of Bastion Schütz Gdansk St. Mary's Church Gdansk St. Mary's Church Gdansk Gdansk Oliwa Cathedral Oliwa Cathedral Gdansk St. Catherine’s Church Gdansk St. Catherine’s Church Gdansk Gdansk St. Bridget’s Church St. Bridget’s Church Gdansk St. John’s Church Gdansk St. John’s Church Gdansk Gdansk Church of the Holy Trinity Gdansk Church of the Holy Trinity Gdansk Gdansk Neptune's Fountain Neptune's Fountain Gdansk Golden Gate Golden Gate Gdansk Green Gate Green Gate Gdansk Oliwa Park Oliwa Park Gdansk Gdańsk Zoo Gdańsk Zoo Gdansk Brzeźno Pier Brzeźno Pier Gdansk AmberSky Ferris Wheel AmberSky Ferris Wheel Gdansk Papugarnia Gdańsk Papugarnia Gdańsk Gdansk Astronomical Observatory in Gdańsk Astronomical Observatory in Gdańsk Gdansk President Ronald Reagan Park President Ronald Reagan Park Gdansk Park Oruński im. Emilii Hoene Park Oruński im. Emilii Hoene Gdansk Olivia Garden Olivia Garden Gdansk French Garden French Garden Gdansk

User attributes