Gdansk street art – the biggest urban gallery in Poland

When taking the train from Gdansk to Sopot or Gdynia you pass a big area with large blocks of flats. That’s Zaspa – one of the residential districts of the city. At first sight it looks pretty average, just another random place that you can find in this part of Europe. But when looking closer it turns out it is actually more than special! The majority of blocks is covered in huge murals, representing the best of what Gdansk street art can offer!

Gdansk street art scene in Zaspa

The first mural in Zaspa was created in 1997 by Rafał Roskowiński. It shows two most iconic Polish citizens – Lech Wałęsa, the father of “Solidarność” movement that has changed the history of Poland and Europe at the end of the 20th century, and the Pope John Paul 2nd. The mural was one of 10 that were made to for the 1000th birthday of Gdansk. And that’s how the whole huge gallery of murals has started.

Now there’s the annual street art festival taking place in the neighbourhood, the mural school and the Monumental Paintings Collection. There’re over 50 works spread all over the area, some better than others but together they make a wonderful collage of Gdansk street art. Apparently it’s the world’s biggest collection of murals located in such a small area – this itself makes visiting Zaspa one of the best things to do in Gdansk! The artists that were invited to create on the walls of Zaspa came from all over the world – it’s easy to see the influence of artists from South America, Polish murals scene or members of Prague street art community.

My impressions from exploring murals of Zaspa

I was lucky this summer I had to go from work to Gdansk. And since I had free 7 hours I thought it’s a perfect opportunity to explore Gdansk street art scene in Zaspa. I expected it would take me some 2 hours to see all the work. Oh how wrong I was! 4 hours later I could hardly feel my feet, I was overwhelmed with the creativity I’ve witnessed and my head was about to explode from all the awesomeness around! Yet I still kept going, there were few more murals I wanted to see! I was especially impressed with those huge ones, created on the walls of 10-storeys blocks! My mind just couldn’t take it all in!

Gdansk street art in Zaspa – practical informations

You can easily get to Zaspa by city train (SKM) – you have to go to Gdansk Wrzeszcz station (then you’re on the eastern edge of the neighbourhood and exploring from there is much easier) or to Gdansk Zaspa (you’re in the middle). It is possible to go for the organized tour around. I’d have loved to do that but the timing wasn’t good.

Gdansk street art – a photo gallery

Here you have pictures of most of the murals I’ve found! Aren’t they amazing?