Post-war reconstruction of Elbląg

[Mr. America]

Originally Posted by RS_UK-PL

Also, do you believe that such methods of the Old Town reconstruction (like in Elblag, I mean post-modern architecture) can recover the pre-war atmosphere and charm? I'm just wondering if Elblag will ever have a chance to compete with Gdansk and Torun Old Towns?

Although we all regret old Elbląg architecture, which is not reconstructed, it's one thing that we can be sure. One day, post-modern architecture will probably be respected, like now we respect older styles, and then Elbląg will have something to be proud.

Which of course doesn't change the fact, that everyone would rather want to see a reconstruction instead of post-modernism.

[mike016]

I agree with colleagues.

[RS_UK-PL]

I have been to Elblag for a few days and I have to admit that Old Town is really impressive. Especially Sw.Ducha Street, Church Path, Hotel Elblag and of course beautiful St.Nicholas Cathedral. Gdansk Main Town is few times larger, but very neglected in comparison (many graffitis, stinking backyards, etc.). A big surprise to me was that Elblag is a very clean and safe city. I took some pictures of Gdansk, Torun and Elblag, so I'll try to add them later this week. I had a chance to eat great pizza in the "Pod Strzecha" and observe some work in progress (construction of new buildings and Low Bridge).

[Tadek79]

Throughout its long history Elbląg faced various periods of rule from different states before 1945...
1237-1454: as part of territory of Teutonic Order
1454-1466: Thirteen Years' War
1466-1772: as part of Poland (15th to mid 17th Century is called Polish Golden Age. It's the time when most of Elbląg Old Town was built. Please see the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Golden_Age)
Elbląg during this period (1594 - 30.000 inhabitants)

Elblag in 1759

1772-1871: as part of "German" Prussia
1871-1939: Imperial Germany
1939-1945: Nazi Germany
1945-now: territory of Poland

[Urbanista1]

Tadek79, I really must say I enjoy your intelligent posts, they are like a light of objective wisdom and fact on discussions that become muddled along ethno-centric lines. cheers

[mike016]

a few more facts:
1626-1635, 1655-1660 and 1703-1710: the city belonged to Sweden, and in 1710-1712 was under russian occupancy

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[michal_z_el]

Before:


Now - reconstruction:

[sergionni]

sorry but to me it looks somehow cheap. it is not historic architecture, it is not contemporary nor modern architecture. it is simply, long time ago abandoned postmodern architecture. i mean, since when historic means decorated and modern not decorated? it could be only rational and cheaper, and that has nothing to do with being modern....for me, modern attitude is the fact that people realized that the need part of the city that has historic image, and since that was destroyed by someone else's will, it is ok to be rebuilt.... i dont find this attitude in this city more correct than one in gdansk. if i am planing to visit poland i think i would avoid this city. it just looks like city that could be pleasant to live in (maybe?) but not for tourist. if u want to build new, then be brave and be contemporary 100%. this is just cheap... sorry i was just honest

[Iluminat]

You don't have to be sorry we don't particularly like it either and many of this buildings are from the '90 and their projects from the '80 afaik, the new ones are a bit better but they did it better in Gdańsk.

[RS_UK-PL]

City Hall in 18th Century (reconstruction made by mike016)


Now

[mateusz.el]

before fire in 1777:

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[RS_UK-PL]

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[RS_UK-PL]

Before WW2


Now

[TheReconstructer]

Originally Posted by RS_UK-PL

Before WW2


Now

Such a shame....
Will they rebuild the former row of houses at the river?

[gwozdz]

Originally Posted by TheReconstructer

Such a shame....
Will they rebuild the former row of houses at the river?

For now they say "No"...