The Tartaczna Area — An Unexpected Walk Through the Old Town
ProfessMed is located on Tartaczna Street—in a quarter that most guidebooks overlook, even though it is one of the oldest parts of Gdańsk. We have gathered places within a short walk of the facility: no Neptune or Long Market, but stories that are easy to miss.
One thoroughfare connects this entire area
Next to Tartaczna flows the Radunia Canal—dug in the 14th century, it powered Gdańsk’s mills, forges, and sawmills for centuries, including the mill that once operated on the site of today’s facility. It also defines the most interesting walking route: from the doorstep of ProfessMed, past the Great Mill and the churches of the Old Town, to the quiet embankments of the Motława. The places below are arranged along this route—from one minute to fifteen minutes on foot. We describe the history of the place itself—the former mill on Tartaczna Street—separately
Within easy reach — 1–3 minutes
Before you even begin your walk, Tartaczna itself and its immediate surroundings hold more history than the area’s present-day quiet would suggest.
Radunia Canal (1 min)
Dug in the 14th century during the Teutonic era, it supplied water and power to the workshops of the Old Town for more than six hundred years — including the sawmill that gave Tartaczna its name. Today, it is a tranquil waterway lined with footbridges and greenery, and a walk along it is the most pleasant route into the heart of the Old Town.
The route along the canal leads straight to the Great Mill—an ideal choice when you only have fifteen minutes.
Osiek — the oldest part of Gdańsk (2 min)
A quarter north of Tartaczna lies a former settlement with medieval roots. After the Teutonic Knights seized Gdańsk in 1308, they relocated fishermen from the stronghold here, while allowing the settlement to retain Polish law. Today, it is one of the quietest parts of the city center—low-rise houses, courtyards, and narrow streets whose names still recall the crafts once practiced here.
Look out for the street name signs—Panieńska, Sukiennicza, Browarna. Each one tells its own micro-story.
Zamczysko — the castle that isn’t there (3 min)
Between Osiek and the Motława once stood the Teutonic Castle, the seat of the Gdańsk commanders. In 1454, the townspeople dismantled it almost down to its foundations, so that no one would ever again rule the city from within its walls. What remains is the name, an eloquent emptiness, and relics that archaeological research brings to light from time to time.
This is one of the few places in Europe where the “attraction” is the deliberate absence of a historic landmark—and the story of why it is no longer there.
Defenders of the Polish Post Square (3 min)
Just a few steps from Tartaczna stands the Polish Post Office building, whose defense on September 1, 1939, became one of the symbols of the outbreak of World War II. Its striking monument and quiet square can leave a deeper impression than many a museum gallery—especially when you happen upon it without the crowds.
It’s worth walking around the building—the courtyard side reveals traces of its original layout.
Five minutes — a quarter of an hour that replaces a guide
The nearest stretch of the Old Town is a concentration of first-rate places that would be the main attraction in other cities—here, they stand in the second row, behind the Main Town.
Great Mill and the Amber Museum (5 min)
A brick giant from the 14th century on an islet between the branches of the Radunia, it is considered the largest medieval mill in Europe. For centuries, eighteen water wheels ground grain here; today, the interiors house the Amber Museum. Right next to it stands the Small Mill and one of the most picturesque corners of the Old Town.
Stand on the footbridge on the Radunia side—the best view of the mill’s form is from here, not from the street side.
St. Catherine’s Church (5 min)
The oldest parish church in the Old Town, featuring a carillon—a set of several dozen bells that perform concerts above the rooftops. The tower houses a museum dedicated to tower clocks, and the church is the resting place of Jan Heweliusz—Gdańsk astronomer, brewer, and city councilor all in one.
If you hear a melody drifting from the tower, it’s not a recording—it’s a carillonneur playing the bell keyboard.
St. Bridget’s Church (5 min)
A church that became a legend of Gdańsk’s Solidarity movement, today known above all for its amber altar—the largest installation of its kind in the world, assembled over many years from thousands of pieces of amber. The combination of austere Gothic brick and amber is unlike anything else anywhere in the world.
The altar looks best on a sunny morning, when the light shines through its amber elements.
Old Town Hall (5 min)
A Renaissance gem from the late 16th century, designed by Antoni van Obberghen—the same architect behind the Great Armoury. Intimate, elegant, and often overlooked, as tourists usually know only the Main Town Hall. In front of the entrance stands a monument to Jan Heweliusz, the patron of this part of Gdańsk.
Step into the entrance hall—it is sometimes open during the cultural institution’s operating hours and is well worth seeing.
Jacek Tower (5 min)
A Gothic tower dating to around 1400, one of the best-preserved in the city—nearly 36 meters of brick rising above the area around the Market Hall. Once part of the city’s fortifications, today it is the most photogenic “exclamation point” of this part of the Old Town.
The most beautiful view: from the Podmłyńska side, with the tower and the Market Hall in a single frame.
Market Hall and the Romanesque Cellar (6 min)
Beneath the 19th-century market hall lie the foundations of a Dominican monastery, and a glass floor between the stalls reveals part of the archaeological excavation. Nearby stands the 13th-century Romanesque refectory — Piwnica Romańska, one of Gdańsk’s oldest interiors, now a branch of the Archaeological Museum.
You’re buying fruit with seven hundred years of history beneath your feet—it’s hard to imagine a more quintessentially Gdańsk paradox.
St. Nicholas Church (6 min)
A Dominican church that was the only one in the city center to survive 1945 virtually untouched. As a result, it has preserved a complete, dark Baroque interior—the only one of its kind in Gdańsk and entirely unlike the churches around it that were rebuilt after the war.
Step inside, even for just a minute—the contrast with the bright, “restored” interiors of other Gdańsk churches says more than any textbook could.
Motława from its quieter side (5 min)
The waterfront along Wartka and Rybackie Pobrzeże offers the same view of the Crane, Ołowianka, and the marina that draws crowds on Długie Pobrzeże—except here it is often nearly empty, especially in the morning. The quietest stretch of the Gdańsk river, just five minutes from the clinic.
Before your morning appointment, a takeaway coffee and five minutes by Wartka work better than a waiting room.
Ten to fifteen minutes away — still within walking distance
If you have more time ahead of you—for example, between appointments or during a stay of several days—these places complete the picture of this part of the city.
Museum of the Second World War (8 min)
One of the most important history museums in Poland—the monumental, slanted structure has become a new landmark in this part of the city. It is worth setting aside at least two hours for the main exhibition; the architecture itself and the plaza in front of the entrance are worth a visit even without a ticket.
Walking from Tartaczna, you’ll pass through Osiek and Wałowa—along the way, you’ll see how the old and new fabric of the city come together.
Ołowianka (10 min)
An island with the granaries of the National Maritime Museum and the seat of the Baltic Philharmonic in a former power plant. In the evening, it is one of the best spots to photograph the illuminated Crane and the Long Embankment from across the river, away from the main promenade.
The footbridge to Ołowianka is sometimes raised for passing vessels—a brief wait is part of the local charm.
Along the Radunia to the south (12 min)
The canal you pass by the clinic continues on—past the Great Mill and toward Targ Rakowy, where the rebuilt Kunszt Wodny stands, once the city’s hydrotechnical “engine room,” now a cultural venue. It’s the most underrated walk in the Old Town: always along the water, far from the crowds.
In summer, it’s worth adding an extra fifteen minutes and heading toward the former shipyard grounds—Solidarity Square, the ECS, and seasonal venues such as 100cznia.
Practical Information for Patients
This page is more than just a local guide—below you’ll find the briefest answers to the questions we’re most often asked by patients coming from outside the area.
Directions from Gdańsk Główny Station
About a 12–15 minute leisurely walk through the Old Town—easiest via Rajska Street toward Wałowa, then onto Tartaczna. Along the way, you’ll pass the Great Mill and St. Catherine’s Church, so “walking to your appointment” can turn into the shortest sightseeing stroll in the city.
Parking
The area is within a paid parking zone. The nearest larger parking lots can be found by the downtown shopping centers and along Podwale Staromiejskie. We compile up-to-date directions and parking information on our contact page. Contact and Directions
Arrived early? A 20–25-minute loop
Radunia Canal → Great Mill → St. Catherine’s Church → Jacek Tower and back. A flat, peaceful route that you can cut short at any time—while taking in the very best of the area. How to prepare for your appointment
Multi-day stay — procedure with hotel
Are you coming in for a procedure and staying at a hotel? This page offers a ready-made plan for a free afternoon during your recovery — all locations are within easy reach on a short, gentle walk. Medical procedures with a hotel stay
Frequently Asked Questions About the Area
How do I get to ProfessMed from Gdańsk Główny station?
On foot, it takes about 12–15 minutes: from the train station, walk along Rajska Street toward Wałowa, then turn onto Tartaczna Street. The facility is located at Tartaczna 2/15a (3rd floor). The route is flat and leads through the oldest part of the Old Town.
Where can I park near Tartaczna Street?
The area is within a paid parking zone; you can find parking spaces along Podwale Staromiejskie and near the downtown shopping centers. We publish current directions and parking information on the Contact page.
I have 30 minutes before my appointment—what is worth seeing?
The best short loop: Radunia Canal → Great Mill → St. Catherine’s Church → Jacek Tower and back — about 20–25 minutes at a leisurely pace, with no risk of being late.
Is the area suitable for a walk for people with limited mobility?
The area is flat, and the most comfortable route runs along the Radunia Canal. Some of the Old Town streets are paved with cobblestones, so if you are using a stroller or walker, it is best to stick to the main routes.
Is there an admission fee to visit these places?
The walk itself is free of charge. Admission tickets are required for the museums, including the Amber Museum in the Great Mill, the Museum of the Second World War, and the Romanesque Cellar. It is best to check opening hours on each institution’s website, as they change seasonally.
Sources and References
Historical dates and facts are drawn from publicly available sources; where sources differ, we choose the more cautious version. This is a neighborhood guide, not an academic work—we encourage you to consult the sources below.