Must see in Gdańsk: Oliwa
Gdańsk Oliwa, Park of Adam Mickiewicz/Shutterstock
Park of Adam Mickiewicz. This historic park on Potok Oliwa, bearing the name of Adam Mickiewicz University, consists of over 11 hectares. Previously the Cistercian monastery gardens were in this place, and the park was built in the eighteenth century. The transformation was initiated by the abbot of Oliwa, Jacek Rybinski, and the contractor, according to the Hentschla garden project, was Kazimierz Dębiński. The baroque part of the park was created at that time, and is now known as the French section. From 1782, further development began in the garden. In the northern part of the park winding paths and ponds, imitation wildlife, and park equipment were installed. This part is called the Chinese-English or English part today. Apparently, Bishop Ignacy Krasicki , who was a lover of gardens, had the greatest impact on the shape of Oliwa Park and often visited it. Included in the subsequent changes introduced were various new species of plants, including Alpine varieties, more trees and a palm house. World War II brought about the devastation of the park, but it has been carefully restored. In the years 1952-1956 a botanical garden was founded, and in 1971 the park was entered into the register of monuments. Since 1976 the Gdańsk Gallery of Contemporary Sculpture has been here. You can still find specimens of plants from all over the world here, a wonderful rock garden, a conservatory, whispering caves and the cascading Oliwa Stream. The stunningly impressive avenue is trimmed in July, and is called the 'Way to Eternity' by the Cistercians, measuring up to 112m. The the seventeenth century hornbeam avenue is also impressive. In the summer you can come here not just for a walk, but also for outdoor concerts.