Cities
Poland Gdansk Pomeranian Monument

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