The traditions of the Saint Dominic's Fair in Gdansk date back to the XIIIth century. Trade in goods, colorful stands, the smells from them, and accompanying events encouraged people to participate in this important event in Gdansk. You can check how it has changed over the centuries.
As it used to be...
The tradition of the St. Dominic’s Fair dates back to 1260 when Pope Alexander IV allowed the Dominicans of Gdansk to grant 100-day indulgences on the day of their founder’s feast day. A trade fair was associated with the indulgence celebrations. Over 400 ships carrying various goods arrived at the port of Gdansk for the August Fair. Among them were French and Spanish wines, silk, jams, spices, tin, English cloth, amber, Czech glass, Torun gingerbread and Russian furs. Circus performers, acrobats, jugglers and acting troupes came from everywhere.
The ceremonial start of trading and fun was announced at noon by the bells of Gdansk churches. Initially, the fair was held at Plac Dominikanski, but when it began to develop, it moved to the area of today’s Waly Jagiellonskie, Dluga Street and new market squares, such as Timber, Hay, Coal, Smell, Fish, whose names came from the goods traded there.
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
Breaks and returns
St. Dominik’s fair was held annually for the next few centuries, becoming an important celebration for the city. Only World War II interrupted this tradition. It was revived in 1972 on the initiative of the popular afternoon program “Wieczor Wybrzeza”. In the 1970s, the fair was primarily a commercial event enabling the purchase of sought-after goods. The modern formula refers to the medieval tradition of trading and having fun, and the specificity of the event is the combination of a commercial part – related to shopping, collecting souvenirs and collecting – with an entertainment part.
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
St. Dominik’s Fair today
Currently, the event is one of the biggest tourist attractions of the summer season in Gdańsk – the oldest and largest event of this type in Poland and one of the largest in Europe.
The strength of the fair is its unique atmosphere and unique atmosphere. Vintage items, antiques, artistic and craft products and regional products will be presented at 1,000 stalls. You will certainly find the most surprises at the flea market. Old, rare and interesting items will reign here: silver, plates, tin and brass products, chandeliers, buffet lamps, samovars, barometers, mantel clocks, old signs and coins, and even reservists’ mugs from the First World War. Although, in fact, all these treasures will be revealed in their full glory only when the fair starts.
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
The artists offer hand-painted silk coupons, hand-sewn toys, hand-made and wheel-turned ceramics and jewellery of various types: silver, amber, copper, glass, leather, shells, meteorites, linen, silk threads, felt, sailing ropes and… titanium mesh.
And there will be something to fill home pantries with. From Pomorskie specialties, through smoked fish from Mazury lakes, traditional half-goose meats, homemade jam, to Lithuanian cold cuts, Turkish molasses and Hungarian langos (oil-baked pancakes served with garlic and cream).
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
St. Dominic's Fair in Gdańsk 2023, map for visitors
ST. DOMINIK'S FAIR IN GDANSK, photo: MTG/ PRZEMEK SWIDERSKI / POLSKA PRESS / DZIENNIK BALTYCKI
