Artus Court

Artus Court in Gdańsk is one of the most prestigious buildings in the Main Town. It stands at Długi Targ 44, right next to the Neptune Fountain and the Main Town Hall, in the heart of the Royal Route. Wealthy merchants once gathered here; today it is a branch of the Museum of Gdańsk and serves as the city's reception venue.

What was Artus Court?

The first court appeared in the middle of the 14th century. It served as the seat of a brotherhood of knights drawn from wealthy families of the German-speaking patriciate. Over time it became a meeting place for Gdańsk's merchant guilds and a hub of the city's social life. In later centuries it also worked as an exchange, where commercial deals were struck.

The name refers to the legendary King Arthur, a medieval symbol of chivalric ideals. Similar merchant courts existed in many Hanseatic towns around the Baltic, but the Gdańsk one is considered among the most splendid.

How did the building change?

The building was remodelled several times. Its Mannerist reconstruction of 1616-1617 is linked to Abraham van den Blocke, a Gdańsk architect and sculptor. In the 19th century it gained a neo-Gothic look. Damage from the Second World War meant the interiors later had to be reconstructed and conserved.

What to see inside

The Great Hall makes the strongest impression. Rich decoration covers the walls and vaulting, and ship models hang from the ceiling, recalling the city's maritime trading character. Ornate tables and wooden wainscoting line the walls. Computer reconstructions of paintings lost during the war are displayed on the walls. Among the furnishings, the Great Stove and numerous paintings are often mentioned.

Planning a visit

Artus Court belongs to the Museum of Gdańsk and, together with the Main Town Hall and the Neptune Fountain, forms a cluster of landmarks on Długi Targ. It is easy to combine a look at the interiors with a stroll along the Royal Route, which runs from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate. The building sits in the very centre, so it is a short walk from the railway station and city transport stops. Check opening hours and entry rules on the Museum of Gdańsk website before you go.

In recent years the museum has carried out conservation work covering, among others, historic rooms in Artus Court and the Main Town Hall, helping the interiors stay in good condition.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Artus Court? At Długi Targ 44 in Gdańsk, in the centre of the Main Town, next to the Neptune Fountain.

What was it used for? It was a meeting place for merchants and brotherhoods, a centre of social life, and later an exchange.

Is it part of a museum? Yes, it is a branch of the Museum of Gdańsk.

What makes the interior special? The Great Hall, with ship models under the ceiling, rich decoration and historic furnishings.

What else is nearby? The Main Town Hall, the Neptune Fountain and the whole Royal Route with its Długi Targ and Długa Street townhouses.