Only 3 SKM stops and 8km north of Gdańsk’s Old Town is the lovely, leafy suburb of Oliwa. Full of forested hills above the former grounds of a 12th century monastery-turned-park, Oliwa is the perfect afternoon outing for couples, families, fans of landscape architecture, or anyone eager to escape into nature without getting their shoes full of sand.
Gdańsk Oliwa History
The district began life as a small Slavic-Pomeranian settlement that grew around a Cistercian monastery established in the latter half of the 12th century. After a long period as a religious centre and a few catastrophes along the way, including substantial devastation caused by the Swedes in 1626 and again in 1656, Oliwa settled down to a peaceful and prosperous life, becoming an independent city in 1874 and remaining so until 1926, when it was incorporated into what was then the city of Danzig. Escaping major damage during WWII, Oliwa is home to around 20,000 people today and has a number of points of interest as well as cafes and restaurants to make for an interesting day out.
What to See & Do in Gdańsk Oliwa
The primary highlight of any trip to Oliwa is the Cathedral, which originally dates to the 12th century and plays host to some marvellous organ recitals. It's also a lovely walk from the train station to the Cathedral, the majority of which is through the beautiful intervening garden landscapes of Oliwa Park, which surrounds the Abbot's Palace. Home to a palm house, the so-called 'Whispering Caves' and two museums - the Museum of Modern Art in the Palace itself and the excellent Ethnographic Museum in the Palace granary - Oliwa Park can occupy an entire day, and rewards those who put the effort in.
