Autor: Natalia Spychalska
UNESCO COOPERATIONHistoric Monument, celebrated for its distinctive architecture, urban design, and strong connection to the sea. Explore this unique heritage by following the sightseeing routes of the Gdynia Modernism Route.
Built largely between 1926 and 1939, Gdynia transformed within just a few years from a small fishing village into a thriving modern port city and a symbol of Poland’s ambition, innovation, and openness to the world. Designed according to the principles of modernism, the city centre combines functional urban planning, high-quality public spaces, and elegant architecture inspired by maritime forms and the spirit of the interwar period.
What makes Gdynia unique is the exceptional preservation of its original urban layout and architectural character.
Unlike many European cities, Gdynia avoided major wartime destruction, allowing its historic streets, squares, residential buildings, and public institutions to retain their authenticity. The city’s close relationship with the sea remains visible today through its carefully planned urban axes linking the centre with the waterfront, port, and Baltic coast.
Recognised by UNESCO under criterion (iv), the “Modernist City Centre of Gdynia” represents a remarkable stage in the history of urban planning and modern architecture. It stands among the world’s most significant heritage sites and is the first urban modernist ensemble in Poland to receive UNESCO World Heritage status in 2026.
Visitors can experience this extraordinary legacy through guided walks, exhibitions, cultural events, and the Gdynia Modernism Route, which reveals the stories behind the city’s iconic buildings and public spaces.
Since joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a UNESCO City of Film in 2021, Gdynia has strengthened its international profile as a city where cultural creativity and outstanding heritage go hand in hand.
Together with the inscription of the Modernist City Centre on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Gdynia now enjoys two prestigious UNESCO recognitions.
Modernist City Centre in Gdynia website: https://modernizmgdyni.pl/en/
On the occasion of the opening of the National Center of Film Culture, we had the pleasure to visit Łódź - our sister city within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Alongside the Gdynia delegation, representatives from Galway, Ireland; Potsdam, Germany; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Terrassa and Valladolid, Spain; and Katowice, Poland, visited Łódź.
The project Face to Face with European Cinema was carried out in partnership with Łódź and film institutions from Valladolid, Terrassa, and Potsdam, with the aim of bringing European cinema closer to young audiences by allowing them to experience the culture of each country represented. The project was designed as a series of large-scale events for children and young people, combining film screenings with cultural happenings.
Representatives of Gdynia took part in the 4th UNESCO Creative Cities Forum in the field of Film in Bitola, North Macedonia, on 21-23 November. The theme of the conference was highlighting the role of women in media. Łukasz Cichowski from the Department of Culture of the City of Gdynia and Kinga Plicht from the Gdynia […]
