The traditions of Saint Dominic's Fair in Gdańsk date back to the 13th century. Trade in goods, colorful stands, the smells from them, and accompanying events encouraged people to participate in this important event in Gdańsk. You can check how it has changed over the centuries.
First, some organizational information:
- Attractions awaiting visitors: CHECK HERE!
- Where and who to look for – see the catalog of this year’s exhibitors
- Detailed “timetable” of the St. Dominic’s Fair 2024: PROGRAM
As it used to be...
The tradition of St. Dominic’s Fair dates back to 1260, when Pope Alexander IV allowed the Dominicans of Gdańsk to grant well-deserved indulgences on the day of their founder’s feast. A trade fair was associated with the indulgence festivities. Over 400 ships with various goods would call at the Gdańsk port for the August Fairs.
Among them were French and Spanish wines, silk, jams, spices, tin, English cloth, amber, Czech glass, Toruń gingerbread and Russian furs. Circus performers, acrobats, jugglers and acting troupes arrived from everywhere.
The ceremonial start of trading and good fun was announced at noon by the Gdańsk bells. Initially, the Fair was held at Dominikański Square, but when it began to develop, it moved to the area of today’s Wały Jagiellońskie, ul. Długa and new market places, such as Drzewny, Sienny, Węglowy, Wąchany, Rybny, whose names came from the goods traded there. St. Dominic’s Fair, photo MTG, organizer’s materials.
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
Breaks and returns
The St. Dominic Fair took place annually for several centuries, becoming an important holiday for the city. It was only World War II that interrupted this tradition. It was returned to in 1972 on the initiative of the popular afternoon show “Evening of the Coast”. In the 1970s, the Fair was primarily a trade event, enabling the purchase of sought-after goods.
The modern formula refers to the medieval tradition of trading and good fun, and the specificity of the event is the combination of the trade part – the one related to shopping, collecting souvenirs and collecting – with the entertainment part.
St. Dominic’s Fair in Gdansk, fot. promotional materials
St. Dominic'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 ambiance. Antiques, antiques, artistic, craft and regional products will be presented at 1,000 stalls.
The flea market is certainly the place to find the most surprises. Old, rare and interesting items will reign here: silverware, plated items, products made of tin and brass, chandeliers, buffet lamps, samovars, barometers, mantel clocks, old signs and coins, and even tankards of reservists from the period of World War I. 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
The artists will have hand-painted silk coupons, hand-sewn toys, hand-made and wheel-thrown ceramics and jewellery of all kinds: made of silver, amber, copper, glass, leather, shells, meteorites, linen, silk thread, felt, sailing ropes and… titanium mesh. And there will be something to fill your home pantries.
From Pomeranian specialties, through smoked fish from Masurian lakes, traditional goose breasts, home-made jams, to Lithuanian cold cuts, Turkish molasses and Hungarian langosze (oil-baked pancakes served with garlic and cream).
News and curiosities about the St. Dominic’s Fair are also available on the organiser’s website
