Nearly levelled during the Second World War and long overlooked in the decades that followed, Elbląg is now experiencing a quiet renaissance. This historic Polish city – once a thriving member of the Hanseatic League – is steadily reclaiming its place on the cultural and tourist map. Blending restored Gothic silhouettes with modern ambition, Elbląg tells a compelling story of resilience, renewal, and rediscovery.

Poland is one of the countries that was most deeply affected by World War II. As a consequence, many historical cities were completely destroyed and required extensive reconstruction. One of such cities is Elbląg, located in the northeastern part of the country.

Founded in the 1230s under the Teutonic Knights, a German military order, Elbląg quickly became an essential hub for commerce and trade in medieval Europe. Its strategic location near the Vistula Lagoon served as a gateway for goods moving between the interior of Poland and the Baltic Sea. Trade in Elbląg was diverse, with commodities like amber, grain, and timber being among the most traded goods. The city’s membership in the Hanseatic League facilitated its trade relations with other significant ports of the Baltic Sea, such as Danzig (Gdańsk), Lübeck, and Riga.

In the mid-15th century, Elbląg, supporting the Prussian Confederation, rebelled against the Teutonic Order, leading to its integration into the Kingdom of Poland after the Thirteen Years’ War. After the partition of Poland in the late 18th century, Elbląg came under Prussian control. This marked the beginning of a new era in the city’s history, as it was integrated into the Kingdom of Prussia and later became part of the German Empire in 1871. During this period, the Elbląg Canal was constructed. Completed in the 19th century, it was built to facilitate the transportation of goods, especially timber from the Masurian Lakes to the port city of Elbląg. Previously, the port activity relied on a natural waterway connection with the Vistula Lagoon and the Baltic Sea. Elbląg remained under German rule until the end of World War II, when it was reassigned to Poland in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement in 1945.

During World War II, Elbląg suffered significant destruction and damage. The city was occupied by Nazi Germany after the invasion of Poland in 1939 and remained under German control until it was liberated by the Soviet Red Army in 1945. As the war reached its final stages, Elbląg became a battleground between the retreating German forces and the advancing Soviet Red Army. In anticipation of the Soviet advance, the retreating German forces engaged in a scorched-earth policy, destroying buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure to impede the Soviet advance. Many historic buildings, including those in the historical town, suffered severe damage or were completely destroyed.

After the war, Elbląg faced the daunting task of reconstruction. Efforts were made to rebuild and restore the city’s infrastructure and historical buildings, including the historical town. However, due to the extent of the damage, some structures had to be rebuilt or restored in a modified form. Local authorities and preservation organizations have been working to maintain the city’s historical character while adapting to modern needs and requirements. Walking around this city, you get the impression that you’re in a typical Hanseatic town. Just that the buildings in the historical town, though stylised, exude modernity.

The city cathedral also had to be rebuilt from scratch. Before World War II, the Elbląg Cathedral, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was a significant landmark in Elbląg, embodying the city’s medieval heritage and its prominence within the Hanseatic League. Constructed in the 13th century during the city’s period of economic prosperity, the cathedral was designed in the Brick Gothic style, characteristic of northern Germany and the Baltic Sea region. The reconstruction of the Cathedral after World War II adopted a simpler approach compared to its original elaborate Gothic design. In the post-war period, resources were often limited, and the focus was on functional restoration rather than replicating historical intricacies. As a result, the reconstructed cathedral, while retaining the Gothic architectural style and preserving its historical essence, features a more simplified interior and exterior compared to the pre-war period.

After the Second World War, port activity in Elbląg ceased. However, a few years ago, the Polish government built a direct waterway from the Vistula Lagoon to the Baltic Sea, with the intention of reviving port activity in Elbląg after deepening the Elbląg Canal section leading from the lagoon to Elbląg, which is likely to take place in the near future.