We will find out as soon as July whether Gdynia Modernist City Centre will be added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Regardless of the decision, however, one thing is certain – for years the city has consistently delighted visitors with its location where land meets sea, as well as with its beautiful history and unique modernist architecture. This year the city is also celebrating its 100th anniversary, so it is the perfect time to rediscover it and see the exceptional gems of Gdynia’s modernism.
It all started with the sea…
Gdynia’s history is not long, but it is an extraordinary one. As a small farming and fishing village, it developed over the centuries in the shadow of larger towns. Its fortune changed with the decision to build a port in 1920. Within a dozen or so years, a city grew up on the Kashubian coast from a summer resort – Poland’s 'gateway to the world', the country’s maritime capital, and the star of the Second Polish Republic.
Modernism at its finest
This symbol of modernity and a free Poland, situated in the very heart of the city, is home to a unique gem – the Modernist City Centre, which took shape in a very short space of time during the 1930s. The finest architects, engineers and urban planners applied modernist ideas here not only to individual buildings, but to the design of the city’s entire structure. This is what makes Gdynia unique on a global scale. There are only a handful of cities worldwide where the city centre was built in a uniform modernist style, and in our part of Europe Gdynia is the only one. The entire area of Gdynia Modernist City Centre covers approximately 88 hectares and includes nearly 450 buildings. In 2015, it was designated a historical monument, and today – as Poland’s official candidate – the city is working towards being part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List.
Less is more
Gdynia was built quickly and on a grand scale, but the designs of the architects of the time were guided by the principle that ‘less is more’. The modernist buildings are therefore characterised by elegant simplicity, functionalism and innovative structural solutions. Large, glazed surfaces add lightness and brighten up the interiors. The architects also drew inspiration from the proximity of the sea, resulting in numerous buildings resembling ships on land – with round windows, superstructures shaped like captain's bridges, and walls curved to resemble ship hulls. The light-coloured façades set against dark-finished ground floors further enhance the impression that the buildings are floating above the ground.
Photos, information about the buildings and current events related to Gdynia Modernism can be found at modernizmgdyni.pl.
Discover modernism in 90 minutes
The best way to get to know this unique part of the city is to take a stroll along the Gdynia Modernism Trail. This is an option not only for architecture enthusiasts, but also for those who simply want to soak up the atmosphere of Gdynia. Several walking routes take you past the most significant architectural landmarks, revealing the best-known icons and the less obvious details. To start with, you can try two short warm-up routes, each covering six sites and buildings. Each route takes just 90 minutes to complete. That’s enough to marvel at the beauty of modernist architecture and get to know little 'corsets', portholes, terrazzo, or ribbon windows. Details of the routes, along with a map and descriptions of individual buildings, can be found in the 'Modernizm 2x6' tourist guide.
To make the most of the centenary visit to Gdynia, you can also take part in the Archi-Walks series ‘100 Buildings for Gdynia’s Centenary’. The events take place several times a month, and each consists of a 90-minute afternoon walk accompanied by a narrative about selected buildings – both iconic and lesser-known, or even anonymous – their architects, designs, builders and investors. The original narration brings to life the realities of the 1930s, including the economic, geopolitical, social and image-related aspects of the city’s development. The calendar of events is available on fb/ModernizmGdyni.
A city designed for people
It is not just the gems of modernism, but the entire urban layout of the city centre that deserves special attention. At a time when European metropolises were increasing the density of their buildings, Gdynia took a completely different direction: wide streets, access to light and air, and open urban blocks were a conscious choice made by the designers. The city centre was planned as a complete structure – with housing, services, institutions and public spaces. Everything was to be ‘within easy reach’. This model, now known as the ‘15-minute city’, remains in operation to this day, which best demonstrates its timelessness.
The symbiosis of urban life and nature
The city’s layout is based on two main axes: one running along Świętojańska Street and the other along 10 Lutego Street – from the railway station to the South Pier, which symbolises the city’s connection with the sea. On the opposite side, Gdynia is surrounded by morainic hills and woodland. The residents take pride in the fact that from any point in the city, the forest can be reached in no more than fifteen minutes on foot. The relationship between urban life and nature is a unique feature of Gdynia, as this combination has been designed with great consistency and is found in few places in the world.
Awaiting the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List would not only bring prestige to Gdynia, but above all it would serve as the confirmation of its uniqueness on a global scale. If the decision proves positive, the city will join the ranks of global icons of modernism, such as Tel Aviv and Le Havre. Regardless of the verdict, the fact remains that the modernist city centre, the proximity of the sea and forests, and a coherent urban vision create a unique whole that is worth experiencing and seeing with your own eyes. The anniversary year and the celebrations marking the city’s 100th birthday are the perfect excuse to add Gdynia to your list of places to visit; all the more so as it offers numerous events, themed walks and attractions that will allow you to get to know its history and character even better. The calendar of all anniversary events is available at 100.gdynia.pl.
Gdynia’s centenary celebrations are organised under the honorary patronage of the Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz, the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, and the Polish Tourist Organisation. The sponsors of the anniversary events are the Port of Gdynia, PGE Capital Group and OPEC - District Heating Enterprise Ltd., while the main partners are PGZ Naval Shipyard and Stena Line. Media patrons: Onet, Polish Radio, Helios, STROER, Trojmiasto.pl, Radio Gdańsk, Dziennik Bałtycki, Prestiż, TVP 3 Gdańsk.