Long Market Square (Długi Targ)

Square in Gdańsk

CC BY-SA / Diego Delso

The Long Market Square (Długi Targ) is the heart of Gdańsk’s historic Main Town and one of the most beautiful urban spaces in Poland. Originally laid out in the 13th century as part of a merchant road, it developed over time into the city’s most prestigious address. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the square was lined with ornate townhouses belonging to wealthy merchants, diplomats, and patricians. Their richly decorated facades, often painted in vivid colours and topped with elaborate gables, reflect the city’s Hanseatic prosperity and cultural ties with the Netherlands and Flanders.

Dominating the square are some of Gdańsk’s most iconic landmarks. The Neptune Fountain, installed in 1633, symbolises the city’s maritime pride and stands just in front of the Artus Court, a meeting place for merchants and dignitaries dating back to the 14th century. Just behind it rises the elegant Main Town Hall, with its tall Gothic-Renaissance tower and golden spire. Each of these buildings tells a part of Gdańsk’s story—of wealth, independence, and cultural sophistication shaped by centuries of trade and conflict.

Today, Long Market Square is a vibrant public space filled with cafés, street performers, and festivals. It’s a favourite starting point for walking tours, offering a panoramic introduction to the city’s architectural richness and historical depth. Whether you visit in the height of summer or during a quieter shoulder season, standing in the square allows you to appreciate how Gdańsk’s past and present continue to meet in one magnificent space.

The Long Market Square (Długi Targ) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Gdańsk!

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