Stutthoff and Gdansk City Tour

Head to the former Stutthof Concentration Camp, for a moving and thought provoking visit. In mid-August 1939, the site for the future concentration camp was selected and on the first day that the Nazis invaded Poland, 1,500 arrests were made. In early-September 1939, 150 of those arrested were transported to Stutthof, thereby beginning the tragic story of this camp. Over the next few years, thousands of Poles were exterminated here. From 1940-1944, Stutthof grew from a small, 30-acre camp intended for 3,500 prisoners to a 300-acre camp holding 57,000 prisoners. By 1942, Poles were rounded up and transported from all over Europe. In June 1944, Stutthof became part of the Nazi's final solution to the Jewish problem and a camp of mass extermination. In all, Stutthof comprised 39 sub-camps, and 110,000 prisoners of all faiths and nationalities. Before Stutthof was finally liberated by Soviet troops on May 9, 1945, 65,000 prisoners were killed there.

Proceed to Gdansk's Old Town, where the city's thousand-year history has left a collection of buildings and monuments designed in Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.See the Golden Gate, a grand ornamental arch that once permitted access through the Medieval City's defensive walls. See Long Street, which is lined with marvelous buildings adorned by elaborate facades and a myriad of ornate gables. You will continue on past the Long Market and beautiful 15th-century Merchants Palace of Artus Court to Neptune's Fountain. A brief stop will be made here to admire this symbol of Gdansk's Hanseatic past, and its connection with the sea. You will then stroll the waterfront and St. Mary's Street, or Mariacka, which features a lively atmosphere, quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings.

Visit to the Gothic-style St. Mary's Church, the pride of Gdansk. St. Mary's is the world's largest brick church, and accommodates some 25,000 worshippers. Situated in the center of the Old Town, this medieval church took 159 years to build. You will find its deceptively plain exterior belies a bright, spacious interior with large windows with more than 30 beautifully-decorated chapels.

The high altar displays a lovely panel painting, and floor covered with ancient tombstones. The northern transept holds an amazing, 15th-century astronomical clock, complete with the zodiac cycle and a calendar of the saints.