There is no place in Sopot more symbolic, more alive with sounds, scents, and memories than Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street - known to everyone simply as Monciak.
It is here, on the pedestrian promenade leading straight from the railway station to the Spa Square and the pier, that the energy of this more than 200-year-old resort is most palpable. In summer, it is filled with crowds of strollers, music from street performers, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and waffles; in winter – though quieter – it still attracts those seeking an atmosphere with soul.
Bohaterów Monte Cassino, photo:. Marcin Czechowicz
From a Steep Path to a City Boulevard
Before Sopot became a spa town with a pier, hotel, and health resort facilities, the road leading from Upper Sopot to Lower Sopot was simply a dirt path. It connected farmers’ homesteads with the fishing village by the sea. When the first bathing facilities began to appear in the 19th century, this unassuming road started to change – first into a promenade, then a walking path, and eventually the main artery of resort life.
It was once known as Morska Street, later Seestrasse, and after 1945 renamed Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street. Too long a name? It was quickly shortened to “Monte Cassino,” and then simply to “Monciak.” And so it has remained.
Today’s Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street has been closed for vehicle use for years and is the most popular street in the Tri-City. The famous cars have disappeared since then, celebrities are less likely to be seen, and it is slightly less glamorous, but it remains one of the most attractive places for tourists visiting Sopot.
Krzywy Domek, photo by Poland by Locals
Monciak - the Stage of Polish Social Life
For decades, Monciak has been a place of gatherings, performances, and artistic life. During the communist era, luxury cars were showcased here, proudly rolling along at 10 km/h as pedestrians admired them. It was here, in the cafés, ice cream parlours, and restaurants, that actors, musicians, journalists, and patrons of SPATIF – the legendary artists’ club – would meet. The Sopot Song Festival was an inseparable part of the city’s identity – and where better to spot the stars than on Monciak?
You didn’t need a ticket or an invitation – just be in the right place at the right time, and you would find yourself in the very heart of Poland’s cultural scene.
Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street – Monciak, photo by Pomorskie.travel/Mateusz Ochocki
Monciak Today - a Beloved Promenade
Today, Monciak is an elegant yet relaxed pedestrian street filled with theatres, galleries, cafés, boutiques, and restaurants. It attracts both street artists and lovers of design or fine cuisine. It continues to connect two of Sopot’s icons: the train station and the pier.
As you walk along Monciak, it’s impossible to miss several remarkable landmarks:
- St. George’s Church – a neo-Gothic church with a tall tower visible from the station platforms. It is here that Sopot “greets” its visitors.
- Monument of Wojtek the Bear – the extraordinary story of a soldier in a bear’s body, who marched with Anders’ Army along the entire battle route.
- Kameralna Stage of the Wybrzeże Theatre – a small yet atmospheric venue hosting dramatic performances and concerts.
- The Crooked House (Krzywy Domek) – a modern icon of the city and one of the most photographed buildings in Poland. Its whimsical, fairy-tale architecture, inspired by the drawings of Jan Szancer, catches the eye of every passer-by.
