Gdynia

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Gdynia
Flag of Gdynia Coat of arms of Gdynia
(Flag) (Coat of arms)
Motto: Gdynia - miasto z morza i marzeń
(Gdynia - a city built of sea and dreams)
Location of Gdynia
Basic Information
Country Poland
Voivodeship Pomerania
Powiat (County) Rada miasta Gdynia
Gmina (Commune) Gdynia
Urban Information
Population 249 342 (September 2006) Ranked 12th
Founded before 1921
City rights February 10, 1926
Latitude
Longitude		 54°32' N
18°32' E
Gmina Gdynia
Type of commune -
Districts (No.) -
Area 135,5 km²
Agglomeration Tricity - 1 100 000
Density 1885/km²
Area code +48 58
Car plates GA
Twin towns Aalborg, Baranovichi, Brooklyn, Kaliningrad, Karlskrona, Kiel, Klaipėda, Kotka, Kristiansand, Kunda, Liepāja, Plymouth, Seattle
Economy and Traffic
Economy shipyard, IT
Highway -
Railway -
Airport -
Administration
Mayor Wojciech Szczurek
Municipal Address -
Municipal Website

Gdynia (IPA: ['gdɨɲa] (help·info), German: Gdingen (help·info) / (until 1939 and exonymically after 1945) Gotenhafen (1939-1945); Kashubian: Gdiniô) is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport at Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.

Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the Tricity (Trójmiasto), with a population of over a million people.

Contents

[edit] History

The first known mention of the name "Gdynia" was of a Pomeranian (Kashubian) fishing village, in 1253. Oksywie, now part of Gdynia, was mentioned even earlier in 1209. It was there that the first church on the Polish coast was built. In 1380 the owner of the village which became Gdynia, Peter from Rusocin, gave the village to the Cisterian Order, so in the years 1382–1772 Gdynia belonged to the Cistercian abbey in Oliwa. In 1789 there were only 21 houses in the village.

The area of the later city of Gdynia shared its history with Pomerelia (Eastern Pomerania); in prehistoric times it was the center of Oksywie culture; it was later populated by Goths and eventually Slavs with some Baltic Prussian influences. As a part of Pomerania, it was a province of Poland from circa 990–1308. In 1309-1310 it was conquered by the Teutonic Order (1309–1454/66), but afterwards became part of the Kingdom of Poland (1466–1772. In the First Partition of Poland in 1772 it was annexed into the Kingdom of Prussia (1772–1870), and as part of Prussia became part of the German Empire (1870–1920).

In 1870, the village of Gdingen had some 1,200 inhabitants, and it was not a poor fishing village as it is sometimes described. It was a popular tourist spot with several guest houses, restaurants, cafes, several brick houses and a small harbour with a pier for small trading ships. The first Kashubian mayor of Gdingen was Jan Radtke. After the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, Gdynia - as it was now called - along with other parts of former West Prussia, became a part of the new Republic of Poland; simultaneously, the city of Danzig and surrounding area was declared a free city and put under the League of Nations, though Poland was given economic liberties and requisitioned for matters of foreign representation.

[edit] Construction of the Seaport

The decision to build a major seaport at the Gdynia village was made by the Polish government in winter 1920, in the midst of the Polish-Soviet War (1919–1920). The authorities and seaport workers of the Free City of Danzig felt Poland's economic rights in the city were being misappropriated to help fight the war. Despite these demands, the workers went on strike, and Poland realized the need for a port city it was in complete control of, economically and politically.

Construction of Gdynia seaport was started in 1921, but because of financial difficulties was conducted slowly and with interruptions. It was accelerated after the Sejm (Polish parliament) passed the Gdynia Seaport Construction Act on 23 September 1922. By 1923 a 550-metre pier, 175 metres of a wooden tide breaker, and a small harbour had been constructed. Ceremonial inauguration of Gdynia as a temporary military port and fishers' shelter took place on 23 April 1923, and the first major seagoing ship arrived on 13 August 1923.

To speed up the construction works, the Polish government in November 1924 signed a contract with the French-Polish Consortium for Gdynia Seaport Construction, which by the end of 1925 had built a small seven-metre-deep harbour, the south pier, part of the north pier, a railway, and had also ordered the trans-shipment equipment. The works were going more slowly than expected, however. They accelerated only after May 1926, because of an increase in Polish exports by sea, economic prosperity, the outbreak of the German–Polish trade war which reverted most Polish international trade to sea routes, and also thanks to the personal engagement of Eugeniusz Kwiatkowski, Polish Minister of Industry and Trade, also responsible for construction of Centralny Okręg Przemysłowy. Till the end of 1930 docks, piers, breakwaters and many auxiliary and industrial installations were constructed (such as depots, trans-shipment equipment, and a rice processing factory) or started (such as a large clod room).

Trans-shipments rose from 10,000 tons (1924) to 2,923,000 tons (1929). At this time Gdynia was the only transit and special seaport designed for coal exports. In the years 1931–1939 the Gdynia harbour was further extended to become a universal seaport. In 1938 Gdynia was the largest and most modern seaport on the Baltic Sea, as well as the tenth biggest in Europe. The trans-shipments rose to 8.7 million tons, which was 46% of Polish foreign trade. In 1938 the Gdynia shipyard started to build its first full-sea ship, the Olza.

[edit] Construction of the City

The city was constructed later than the seaport. In 1925 a special committee was inaugurated to build the city, in 1926 city expansion plans were designed, and city rights were granted, in 1927 tax privileges for investors granted. The city started to grow significantly after 1928 and the population grew rapidly to over 120,000 in 1939.

In 1930 the Baltic Institute in Toruń, institution designed to research the Polish heritage in Pomerania, opened its branch in Gdynia.

[edit] Gdynia during World War II (1939–1945)

The city and seaport were occupied in September of 1939 and renamed to Gotenhafen after the Goths, an ancient Germanic tribe. Some 50,000 of the Polish citizens were expelled to the General Gouvernment and their homes were assigned to German settlers. The harbour was turned into a German naval base. The shipyard was extended in 1940 and turned into a branch of a Kiel shipyard (Deutsche Werke Kiel A.G.). It became a primary German naval base, and witnessed several air raids by the Allies from 1943 onwards, but suffered little damage. The seaport area was largely destroyed by withdrawing German troops in 1945 (90% of the buildings and equipment were destroyed) and the harbour entrance was blocked by the German battlecruiser Gneisenau.

The city was also the location for the Nazi concentration camp Gotenhafen, a subcamp of the Stutthof concentration camp.

[edit] Gdynia after World War II

On March 28, 1945 Gdynia was captured by the Soviets and assigned to Polish Gdańsk Voivodeship.

In the Polish 1970 protests, worker demonstrations took place at Gdynia Shipyard. Workers were fired upon by the police. The fallen became symbolized by a fictitious worker Janek Wiśniewski, commemorated in a song by Mieczysław Cholewa, Pieśń o Janku z Gdyni. One of Gdynia's important streets is named after Janek Wiśniewski. The same person was portrayed by Andrzej Wajda in his movie Man of Iron as Mateusz Birkut. The archenemy of the character James Bond, who is known for his white persian cat, who is called Ernst Stavro Blofeld, comes from Gdynia. This evil character is parodied by Mike Myers, in the form of Dr Evil, in the Austin Powers movie series.

[edit] Economy

Notable companies that have their headquarters in Gdynia:

[edit] Port of Gdynia

Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races 2003; Stad Amsterdam, Dar Młodzieży and Dar Pomorza.
Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Races 2003; Stad Amsterdam, Dar Młodzieży and Dar Pomorza.
  • Official name:PORT OF GDYNIA AUTHORITY
  • Trans-shipments:
    • 1924 10,000 tons
    • 1929 2,923,000 tons
    • 1938 8,700,000 tons
    • 2002 9,365,200 tons
      • Containers 252,247 TEU (#2 on the Baltic Sea)
      • Passengers 364,202
See also: Ports of the Baltic Sea

[edit] Education

Marina in Gdynia View from Kamienna Gora
Marina in Gdynia View from Kamienna Gora

There are currently 7 universities and institutions of higher education based in Gdynia. Many students from Gdynia attend also universities located in the Tricity.

  • State-owned:
    • Naval Academy of Gdynia - 8,162 students
    • Military Naval Academy of Gdynia - 1,452 students
    • Gdańsk University - departements of Biology, Geography and Oceanology, 1,987 students altogether
  • Privately owned:
    • University of Business and Administration - 1,418 students
    • University of International Relations - 86 students
    • Humanistic University of Pomerania - 38 students
    • Cardinal Wyszynski University a department - 219 students
    • Pomorska Wyższa Szkoła Humanistyczna
    • Wyższa Szkoła Administracji i Biznesu im. Eugeniusza Kwiatkowskiego
    • Wyższa Szkoła Komunikacji Społecznej
    • Wyższa Szkoła Międzynarodowych Stosunków Gospodarczych i Politycznych
See also: Education in Gdynia

[edit] Sports

There are many popular professional sports teams in Gdynia and Tricity area. Amateur sports are played by thousands of Gdynia’s citizens, as well as in schools and universities.

[edit] Sports in Gdynia

Arka Gdynia, Polish football club

[edit] Sports in Tricity

  • Prokom Trefl Sopot - men’s basketball team (Polish Champion 2004)
  • Lotos Gdańsk - cinder-track racing team (Polish Champion 2004)
  • Energa Gedania Gdańsk - women’s volleyball team (Seria A in season 2003/2004)
  • Nata AZS AWFiS Gdańsk - women’s handball team (Premier league in season 2003/2004)
  • DGT AZS AWFiS Gdańsk - men’s handball team (Premier league in season 2003/2004)
  • SMS Gdańsk - men’s handball team (1st league in season 2003/2004)
  • Stoczniowiec Gdańsk - men’s ice hockey team (Premier league in season 2003/2004)
  • Lechia Gdańsk - men’s football team (Polish Cup winner 1983, Polish Supercup winner 1983; 3rd league in 2004/2005 season)
  • AZS AWFiS Gdańsk - rugby team (1st league in season 2003/2004)

[edit] Politics

[edit] Gdynia/Słupsk constituency

Members of Parliament (Sejm) elected from Gdynia/Słupsk constituency

[edit] Sights and tourist attractions

Gdynia is a relatively modern city and one will not find many historical buildings. The oldest building in Gdynia is 13th century St. Michael Archangel's Church in Oksywie. There is also a 17th century neo-Gothic manor house located in the Folwarczna Street in Orłowo. However, what most tourists look for Gdynia deals with its recent past. In the harbour there two museum ships are anchored, the ORP Blyskawica destroyer and the Dar Pomorza Tall Ship frigate. Gdynia is also famous for its numerous examples of early 20th century architecture, especially monumentalism and early functionalism. Recently reconstructed Świętojańska street and Kościuszki square are also worth mentioning. The surrounding hills and the coastline attract many nature lovers. Leisure pier and cliff-like coastline in Kępa Redłowska as well as the surrounding Reservation Park are also popular. 1.5 kilometres long promenade leads from the marina in the city centre to the beach in Redłowo. Most of Gdynia can be seen from Kamienna Góra (54 metres asl) or a newly built observation point near Chwaszczyno. You can also take hydrofoil or ship trip to Gdańsk Westerplatte, Hel or just see port.

City of Gdynia is also the host of the Heineken Open'er Festival, one of the biggest contemporary music festivals in Poland. The festival gathers many foreign hip-hop, rock and electronic music artists every year. The second important summer event in Gdynia is Viva Beach Party, which is a large two-day techno party made on Gdynia's Public Beach. Usually organized in August.

[edit] Modern division into neighbourhoods

Steam train "Costerina" Gdynia - Kościerzyna
Steam train "Costerina" Gdynia - Kościerzyna
  • Babie Doły
  • Chwarzno Wiczlino
  • Chylonia
  • Cisowa
  • Działki Leśne
  • Dąbrowa
  • Grabówek
  • Kamienna Góra
  • Karwiny
  • Leszczynki
  • Mały Kack
  • Obłuże
  • Oksywie
  • Orłowo
  • Pogórze
  • Port
  • Pustki Cisowskie-Demptowo
  • Redłowo
  • Śródmieście
  • Wielki Kack
  • Witomino Leśniczówka
  • Witomino Radiostacja
  • Wzgórze Św. Maksymiliana

[edit] Population and area

Coastline in Gdynia Orlowo
Coastline in Gdynia Orlowo
Year Inhabitants Area
1870 1200
1920 1300
1926 12,000 6 km²
1939 127,000 66 km²
1945 70,000 66 km²
1960 150,200 73 km²
1970 191,500 75 km²
1975 221,100 134 km²
1980 236,400 134 km²
1990 251,500 136 km²
1994 252,000 136 km²
1995 251,400 136 km²
2000 255,420 135.49 km² (after GUS - Central Statistical Office in Warsaw)
2003 251,000 136 km²

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

  • (ed.) R. Wapiński, Dzieje Gdyni, Gdańsk 1980
  • (ed.). S. Gierszewski, Gdynia, Gdańsk 1968
  • Gdynia, in: Pomorze Gdańskie, nr 5, Gdańsk 1968
  • J. Borowik, Gdynia, port Rzeczypospolitej, Toruń 1934
  • B. Kasprowicz, Problemy ekonomiczne budowy i eksploatacji portu w Gdyni w latach 1920-1939, Zapiski Historyczne, nr 1-3/1956
  • M. Widernik, Główne problemy gospodarczo-społeczne miasta Gdyni w latach 1926-1939., Gdańsk 1970
  • (ed.) A. Bukowski, Gdynia. Sylwetki ludzi, oświata i nauka, literatura i kultura, Gdańsk 1979
  • Gminy województwa gdańskiego, Gdańsk 1995
  • H. Górnowicz, Z. Brocki, Nazwy miast Pomorza Gdańskiego, Wrocław 1978
  • Gerard Labuda (ed.), Historia Pomorza, vol. I-IV, Poznań 1969-2003
  • (ed.) W. Odyniec, Dzieje Pomorza Nadwiślańskiego od VII wieku do 1945 roku, Gdańsk 1978
  • L. Bądkowski, Pomorska myśl polityczna, Gdańsk 1990
  • L. Bądkowski, W. Samp, Poczet książąt Pomorza Gdańskiego, Gdańsk 1974
  • B. Śliwiński, Poczet książąt gdańskich, Gdańsk 1997
  • Józef Spors, Podziały administracyjne Pomorza Gdańskiego i Sławieńsko-Słupskiego od XII do początków XIV w, Słupsk 1983
  • M. Latoszek, Pomorze. Zagadnienia etniczno-regionalne, Gdańsk 1996
  • B. Bojarska, Eksterminacja inteligencji polskiej na Pomorzu Gdańskim (wrzesień-grudzień 1939), Poznań 1972
  • K. Ciechanowski, Ruch oporu na Pomorzu Gdańskim 1939-1945., Warszawa 1972

[edit] External links

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Coordinates: 54°30′N, 18°33′E

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