The Market Hall in Gdańsk

Built at the end of the 19th century, it is the only preserved building of this type in the city that still serves its original function. The construction of the hall began in 1894, and it was designed by architect Kurt Fehlhaber. The hall was intended to limit street trading in the Main Town and Old Town. The building stands out for its eclectic architectural style, combining elements of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance. Its façade, with numerous turrets, loosely references other historical landmarks in Gdańsk. Originally, the interior housed 188 wooden kiosks and stalls, along with administrative offices, a police station, and restrooms. Surrounding the building were the stalls of the so-called green market. In the 1930s, the decorations on the façade were simplified, and a mezzanine was added along the western wall of the interior. During World War II, the building served as a food warehouse but emerged from the conflict largely unscathed. Between 1999 and 2001, the hall underwent extensive renovation, during which its façades were restored, and the interior was modernized, giving it a functional and modern look. During archaeological research, remnants of a 12th-century Romanesque church of St. Nicholas, which was part of the former trading settlement in this area, were discovered in the basement. These valuable relics of the presbytery and part of the church nave have been showcased as part of an underground archaeological museum. Next to the hall, a well-preserved Romanesque cellar was also discovered, which, according to scientists, is the oldest surviving building in Gdańsk. Plans are in place to make this valuable site accessible to visitors.