Brama Mariacka, Gothic city gate in Gdańsk, Poland
Brama Mariacka is a Gothic city gate in Gdańsk that once stood as part of the town's fortification walls. It features octagonal defensive towers with arrow slits and a double-pitched roof running parallel to the Motława River.
The gate was built in 1485 as part of Gdańsk's defensive fortification network. It suffered severe damage during World War II and was fully rebuilt between 1958 and 1961.
The gate displays three coats of arms on its river-facing side: the Kingdom of Poland in the center, with Gdańsk and Royal Prussia on either side. This arrangement reflects the city's role as a major trading hub at a crossroads of regional powers.
The gate now houses the Archaeological Museum, which occupies its interior spaces. The exhibition is accessible through connected corridors and rooms that link to the adjacent building of the Natural Science Society.
Two stone lions hold the Gdańsk coat of arms on the city-facing side of the structure. The facade is crowned by stepped gables with crenellations, creating a distinctive Gothic appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
