Tag Archives: Gdańsk
Fun Photo Friday — Gdańsk Favorites 2
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Baltic Cruise — Gdańsk Lunch
Touring on foot around Gdańsk, Poland is a lot of fun.
The buildings are colorful, the streets charming, and the architectural details photogenic:
But eventually you’re going to need to stop and refuel. So let’s take a look at some typical Polish dining fare, beginning with pierogi (not to be confused with Russian piroshki — my recipe for that here: Fun Food Friday — Piroshki ). Pierogi is similar to a Chinese dumpling, but in this case the filling is usually a savory meat concoction, fish (such as salmon), spinach, cheese, or even potato when served as a main course:
In addition to dipping sauces for savory pierogi, somepierogi may instead come with a citrus squeeze:
Pierogi is often accompanied by different kielbasas, sauteed onion, and rustic bread:
Another traditional Polish dish is zupa ziemniaczana, typically a watery yet tasty potato soup. The one we had this day was a bit creamier than usual, and it was served in a bread bowl:
And what would a Polish lunch be without a Polish beer to wash it down? This one is a Tyskie:
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Baltic Cruise — Gdańsk; Westerplatte
On the north side of Gdańsk, near the tip of the Westerplatte Peninsula, stand the remains of the Westerplatte barracks. This fortified structure is the site of the beginning of World War II, as it was ground zero for the Nazi Germany invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. On that date the German battleship SMS Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the 188 men defending the barracks. Thus began the Battle of Westerplatte, in which the Polish garrison held for an incredible seven days against overwhelming invading German forces.
The pounding taken by this reinforced concrete structure has to be seen to be believed. The barracks withstood the week-long onslaught of naval artillery, Stuka dive bombing, heavy field artillery, and 570 German soldiers.
Eventually, Westerplatte barracks fell. The Polish garrison suffered fifteen dead, another forty or so wounded. The Germans on the other hand lost 50 men, with another 150 wounded.
At this site today stands a memorial to the defenders, and a cemetery for those who lost their lives:
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