Golden Gate (Gdansk)
Encyclopedia
Golden Gate in Gdańsk
Gdansk
Gdańsk is a Polish city on the Baltic coast, at the centre of the country's fourth-largest metropolitan area.The city lies on the southern edge of Gdańsk Bay , in a conurbation with the city of Gdynia, spa town of Sopot, and suburban communities, which together form a metropolitan area called the...

, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...

, German Langgasser Tor, is one of the most notable tourist attraction
Tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, or amusement opportunities....

s of the city.

It was raised in 1612–14 in place of the 13th century gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....

 gate (Brama Długouliczna). It is located at one end of Long Lane (Długa street), where, together with Brama Wyżynna and Wieża Więzienna, it forms a part of the old city fortifications.

It was designed by architect Abraham van den Blocke
Abraham van den Blocke
Abraham van den Blocke was an architect and sculptor.Van den Blocke was born in Königsberg , presumably the oldest of seven children of Dorothea and Willem van den Blocke. In 1584 the family lived in Gdańsk, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, where he was educated as a sculptor in his father's workshop...

 and was constructed by Jan Strakowski. The architectural style of the gate is Dutch manierism. Next to it is the late-gothic building of the Brotherhood of St.George.

Both sides of the gate have attiques, with figures symbolising citizen's qualities. They were designed in 1648 by Jeremias Falck
Jeremias Falck
Jeremias Falck was an engraver of the 17th century Baroque, born and active in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth...

 ("Polonus
Polonus
Polonus means "Pole" or Polish in Latin. In Polish it refers to a Pole living outside of Poland, a member of Polonia, the Polish diaspora. Regarding persons, Polonus was attributed to-Persons:*Alexius Sylvius Polonus*Martin of Opava*Benedykt Polak...

"), and reconstructed in 1878 due to the originals being damaged by time and climate.

From the West side they represent: (Peace), (Freedom), (Wealth) and (Fame). From the East side (Long Lane) they are (Agreement), (Justice), (Piety) and (Prudency). The Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...

 inscription on the gates reads: , which means "In agreement small republics grow, because of disagreement great [republics]fall".

Destroyed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, it was rebuilt in 1957. The original German inscription has recently been restored: (Psalm 122
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is the 122nd psalm from the Book of Psalms. It is one of 15 psalms that begins with the words "A song of ascents" .The text:Psalm 122A song of ascents...

)
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