Excursion Oliwa cathedral and lighthouse tour and coffe stop on the 32 floor tour at Gdansk

Cruise line: Silversea
Difficulty:

Explore the splendid, Old World architecture and landmarks of Gdansk during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Nowy Port Lighthouse

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 20 minute drive to the Nowy Port Lighthouse.One of the most beautiful lighthouses in Northern Europe, this 90 foot tall structure was built in 1893 and remained in service until 1984. According to legend, it was a twin of the former Main Lighthouse of Cleveland, Ohio. It was also the first lighthouse on the Baltic Sea to use electric lighting.

Situated at the entrance to the Port of Gdansk, the lighthouse served three functions: a coastal lighthouse, a harbor pilot tower, and a time-ball station. Similar to the system in Greenwich, England, a five foot diameter time ball weighing 150 pounds dropped daily at noon, providing ships anchored in the Bay of Gdansk with a precise time signal to calibrate their chronometers and accurately determine longitude at sea.

Oliwa Cathedral

Located on the grounds of a former Cistercian monastery, Oliwa Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and represents a harmonious blend of Romanesque, Gothic and Rococo styles. The monastery flourished during the time of Abbot Jacek Rybinski, who commissioned the construction of the cathedral’s magnificent pipe organ by the young Jan Wulf. Today, it remains one of the most popular attractions in the Gdansk area.

The impressive organ complex consists of 7,876 tin and wooden pipes capable of imitating the sounds of various musical instruments as well as natural voices and effects. During your visit, you will enjoy a brief musical presentation.

Olivia Star & Coffee Break

The tour concludes with a visit to Olivia Star, the tallest building in northern Poland. You will ascend to the observation level on the 32nd floor, offering panoramic views over Gdansk, the Bay of Gdansk, and the surrounding Tri-City area. Here, you will enjoy a relaxing coffee break while taking in one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region, a perfect combination of history and modern architecture.At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the drive back to the pier.

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.49 miles (about 800 metres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces, with a couple steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 100 steps at the Nowy Port Lighthouse. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a sweater or light jacket from the ship. The tour sequence may vary.