St. Mary's Gate

Mariacka Gate (Brama Mariacka) is a late Gothic water gate in Gdańsk that closes off the end of Mariacka Street on the Motława side. It stands on the Long Embankment (Długie Pobrzeże), right next to the House of the Natural History Society, and is one of the most photogenic spots on the Main Town waterfront.

What is Mariacka Gate?

It is one of several gates that once linked the streets of old Gdańsk with the river quay. Merchants, sailors and townspeople passed through such gates on their way to the landing stages where cargo was handled. Today the gate works as a striking entrance to Mariacka Street, often named among the loveliest in the city, and leads straight toward St. Mary's Basilica.

When was it built and what does it look like?

The gate was probably built in the last quarter of the 15th century and first appears in records in 1484. It is an elongated rectangle of roughly 25 by 7.3 metres and is noticeably more asymmetrical than its neighbour, the Bread Gate (Brama Chlebnicka). On the river side, massive octagonal turrets flank the eastern facade. The walls are broken up by shallow recesses topped with double pointed arches, and a gabled roof runs parallel to the Motława. The stepped gables carry crenellations, although these were added only during the postwar reconstruction.

Which coats of arms can you see above the passage?

Above the passageway, coats of arms tell the story of Gdańsk's historic standing. On the river side you can see the arms of the Kingdom of Poland, flanked by the arms of the city and of Royal Prussia. On the Mariacka Street side, two lions hold the Gdańsk coat of arms. Its polychromy was recreated in 2006, so the colours again echo the original look.

What happened to the gate over the centuries?

By the 16th century the building had lost its defensive role. It was converted to residential use and gradually blended into everyday life on the quay. The real disaster came in 1945, when the gate was heavily damaged during the fighting for the city. It was rebuilt between 1958 and 1961, together with the wider ensemble of the Long Embankment. Afterwards its interiors were linked with the neighbouring House of the Natural History Society and adapted for the Archaeological Museum. The gate is listed in the register of monuments under number 304 (entered on 24 February 1967).

On the river side you will also find a plaque commemorating Alexander von Humboldt, installed in 1998.

Why is it worth a look?

• It looks best from the opposite bank of the Motława, on Granary Island, where the gate, the Crane and the waterfront townhouses fit into a single frame.
• It is the natural starting point for a walk along Mariacka Street, lined with terraces, amber workshops and carved gargoyle-style drainpipes.
• The Crane, the Long Market and Neptune's Fountain are all a short walk away.
• The architectural details, from the coats of arms to the pointed-arch recesses, reward a closer look as you pass under the vault.

Frequently asked questions

What was Mariacka Gate used for? It was a water gate connecting Mariacka Street with the Motława quay. Over time its military importance faded and the building was turned into dwellings.

What period is it from? The late Gothic. It was probably built in the last quarter of the 15th century, and the first mention dates from 1484.

Is it original? The structure is historic, but after the damage of 1945 it was rebuilt in 1958–1961. The crenellations on the gables date from that work.

Where exactly is it? On the Long Embankment, by the Motława, at the end of Mariacka Street, next to the House of the Natural History Society.

Do you have to pay to pass through? Walking under the vault is simply part of a stroll along the waterfront and Mariacka Street.