In the heart
of Tricity
Villa Ozone is located in the heart of the picturesque Tri-City, in Sopot, which is famous for the longest wooden pier in Europe.
The first mention of Sopot dates back to 1283. At that time, this small fishing village was donated to Cistercians by the Pomeranian prince Mściwoj II. Sopot remained under the Cistercian rule for almost five hundred years. After the first partition of Poland in 1772, Sopot came under Prussian rule and went under the administration of the Kingdom of Prussia.
The history of Sopot
Sopot as a destination for summer residences began to gain fame from the mid-sixteenth century. At that time, affluent Gdańsk patricians and diplomats began to build summer residences in Sopot. It is also the time when the first attempts to organize special places for sea bathing appeared. After the defeat of Napoleon in Russia and the retreat of the French army from Moscow in Gdańsk, a surgeon named Jean Georg Haffner acquired a piece of land in Sopot, in which he built public baths in 1823. In 1824, the Spa House was established in Sopot, and then mayor Jean Georg Haffner founded the surrounding park, which exists to this day. He also established walking paths and the first pier was created. After this period, the first SPA goers appeared in Sopot, and the town itself begun to be considered a seaside resort.
Railway connection
Uruchomienie w 1870 roku połączenia kolejowego na trasie Koszalin – Gdańsk przyczyniło się do szybkiego rozwoju Sopotu. W 1875 roku uruchomiono Browar Zameczek Górski. W tym czasie zaczęło w Sopocie powstawać coraz więcej domów wczasowych oraz willi, zwiększyła się również liczba kuracjuszy przyjeżdżających do Sopotu. Założone przez Jeana Geogra Haffnera Przedsiębiorstwo Kąpielowe do 1877 roku było własnością prywatną, a następnie zostało odkupione przez gminę Sopot i od tamtego czasu pozostaje w jej rękach.
City charter
W 1901 roku, 8 października, Sopot otrzymał prawa miejskie, a od 1902 roku miasto posiada własny herb, który zatwierdzony został przez cesarza Wilhelma II. W 1903 roku w Sopocie zbudowano Zakład Balneologiczny, w który, stosowano kąpiele podgrzewane w wodzie morskiej, masaże, okłady borowinowe oraz inne zabiegi. Wśród kuracjuszy coraz częściej pojawiali się Polacy.
Sopot gets the label ‘Riviera of the North'
Stopniowo Sopot stawał się coraz modniejszym miejscem w Europie – nawet ochrzczono miasto nazwą Riwiera Północy. W Sopocie powstały korty tenisowe, tor wyścigów konnych, wznoszono również nowe kamienice oraz dużą liczbę willi. W 1909 roku swoją działalność rozpoczęła Opera Leśna. Przed rozpoczęciem I wojny światowej Sopot stał się już kąpieliskiem znanym szeroko w całej Europie, posiadającym bezpośrednie morskie połączenia z Europą.
Current wooden pier is built
Po traktacie wersalskim w 1920 roku Sopot wszedł w skład Wolnego Miasta Gdańsk. W 1920 roku w Sopocie powstało pierwsze kasyno do gry. Drewniane molo, główną atrakcję turystyczną Sopotu, przedłużono do obecnej długości 511,5 metra. Od tego czasu obiekt nie przechodził większych zmian, przeprowadzano jedynie niezbędne remonty.
Post war reconstruction
Po II wojnie światowej w 1945 roku Sopot został włączony do Polski, a ludność niemiecką zamieszkującą miasto wysiedlono. Jej miejsce zajęli Polacy z Pomorza, Kresów Wschodnich oraz Polski Centralnej. W 1945 roku miało również miejsce utworzenie wielu obiektów kulturalnych, takich jak Filharmonia Bałtycka, Teatr Dramatyczny, Wyższa Szkoła Sztuk Pięknych oraz Instytut Muzyczny.
The centenary of granting city rights
W 1961 roku zorganizowano w Sopocie pierwszy Międzynarodowy Festiwal Piosenki, co przyczyniło się do ponownego uzyskania rozgłosu przez miasto. 8 października 2001 roku miasto obchodziło uroczystość stulecia nadania Sopotowi praw miejskich.
The history of Sopot
Railway connection
City charter
Sopot gets the label ‘Riviera of the North'
Current wooden pier is built
Post war reconstruction
The centenary of granting city rights
Pier
in Sopot
The pier in Sopot belongs to one of the biggest attractions of the city. The first one was 31.5 meters long and was built by Dr. Jerzy Haffner in 1827. Until the end of the 19th century, the pier was extended to 150 meters, and then, in 1910, to 315 meters. The pier in the existing form was built in 1928. At that time, the rebuilding of Skwer Kuracyjny also took place. The 1928 reconstruction of the pier was the largest in its history and took place on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Sopot receiving the city charter and the centenary of the construction of the first pier.
The nineties brought the construction of a reinforced concrete head protecting the main platform, while at the beginning of the 2000s extended maintenance of the pier took place. From the pier stretches an impressive view has the sea port of Gdansk and Kępa Redłowska. The pier has also gained fame as a place where many films were shot. In 2010, a marina for yachts was built at the end of the pier. Currently, the pier in Sopot is considered to be one of the biggest tourist attractions of the city and it is a popular destination for walks both by locals and those visiting the city.
Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino Street in Sopot is one of the most famous streets in the city. It is mainly in the summer that the night life of the city is focused around there. Visitors and residents will find here charming cafes, pubs and restaurants. The Monte Cassino Street is a pedestrian zone, which is entirely excluded from car traffic. In the season, it is one of the most visited places by tourists throughout the Tri-City.
The beginning of Monte Cassino Street starts from Aleja Niepodległości, which is part of the main communication artery of the Tri-City. Then, the promenade runs through a tunnel under the railway line between Gdańsk and Wejherowo. A few dozen meters further, Monciak creates along with ul. Podjazd, Dworcowa and Tadeusza Kościuszki Plac Konstytucji 3 Maja, where there is a historic church dedicated to Saint George. This place is considered by many people to be the actual center of Sopot, as well as the beginning of the pedestrian zone. Behind the square, the street bends downwards at a large angle, where passersby can enjoy caricaturists and painters, stands with souvenirs, passing along the way numerous charming cafes, restaurants and pubs. Interesting facilities in this section are definitely Crooked House - a building that arouses admiration for its interesting architecture and irregularity of shapes. Then Monciak goes to Plac Zdrojowy, crossing the Grunwaldzka street and ending at the Sopot lighthouse. Then the street merges into the famous Sopot pier.
Ancient settlement “Grodzisko”
Grodzisko is an ancient residential sight and also a branch of the Archaeological Museum in Gdańsk. Grodzisko is a remnant of a defensive settlement, the so-called bulkhead.
Grodzisko is a charming open-air archaeological open-air museum. It is located in a picturesque scenery of greenery and roaming streams. There are reconstructed buildings of the castle here, which include huts, a gate and also a palisade. These elements have been reconstructed precisely in the places of the remains of authentic elements of buildings originating from the past.
Grodzisko organises lessons of history for children and school youth, during which there are workshops of old crafts, games, competitions and games as well as demonstrations of sword and axes fights, archery and weapon presentations. Lovers of rituals from the old days will surely delight in the opportunity to enjoy impressive Celtic, Scottish and Irish dances. There are also concerts of medieval music. On the site of the open-air museum there is also an exhibition and educational pavilion, where a permanent exhibition of the oldest archeological artifacts of Sopot, called "The Oldest History of Sopot", takes place.
Hippodrome
Hippodrome in Sopot is a place where over one hundred years of tradition meets modern development. This oasis of greenery during the horse racing season turns into a world-famous facility, vibrant with life and equine enthusiasts. Hippodrome in Sopot is a place where equestrian competitions are organized at the regional, provincial and national levels, as well as at the international level.
The hippodrome offers horse riding lessons both for beginners and advanced riders. Riding lessons take place in the open air in the summer, while in winter in the largest equestrian hall in Poland.
The hippodrome in Sopot also offers hippotherapy classes. This is the perfect place for all horse-riding amateurs.
Ergo Arena
Ergo Arena is a sports and entertainment hall located on the border of Sopot and Gdańsk. The arena hosts a range of events such as athletics, handball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, table tennis, horse riding, martial arts as well as hockey on an artificial ice rink. Ergo Arena is also adapted to organize theater and cinema performances, concerts, exhibitions and conferences. The arena hosted, among others, concerts of Michael Buble, Hans Zimmer or Sting and it can accommodate upwards of fifteen thousand people.
Sopot
Marina
There is a yacht marina in Sopot located at the end of the pier. It has space for over one hundred boats. At the end of the Pier, there is also a building housing a picturesque restaurant.
Sopot Regatta
Every year, regatta "Trzy Mola" takes place in Sopot. The organizer of the regatta is the NAVIGO Student Sports Club under the patronage of the City of Sopot and the leadership of the Polish Sailing Association. "Trzy Mola" attracts thousands of sailing enthusiasts every year.
In the summer season, the Sopot Match Race is also held. The tradition of organizing these races dates back to the seventeenth century and consists of yacht racing in pairs. The current regatta is based almost on the same principles as in the first formal races organized in 1851.
Crooked House
Crooked House in Sopot is one of the city's landmarks. It was built in 2003, and its appearance refers to Gaudi's drawings and drawings of Polish graphic artist and illustrator for children, Marcin Szancer. Interestingly, Crooked House took first place in the ranking of fifty of the strangest buildings in the world, published by the Village of Joy portal. It is permanently inscribed in the architecture of Sopot and is an interesting attraction tourists. Crooked House is also an important business center. There is also a regional branch of Radio RFM FM and RMF Maxxx.
The Forest Opera in Sopot
The Forest Opera in Sopot was opened in July 1909. It is a large forest amphitheater with an area of four hectares, located at the edge of the Sopot forest. The Forest Opera is extremely attractive due to its great acoustics and unique location. From September 2009 to June 2012, the building underwent a thorough modernization. Currently, the opera house will accommodate 5047 viewers, and with the front sectors folded, the total number of standing and sitting places is 5579. The stage can accommodate more than one hundred orchestra. The stage of the Forest Opera is primarily associated with an international music festival, which takes place here every year. It is also a place where a large number of classical music concerts, blues concerts, rock concerts, fashion shows and others take place.
Sopot Grand Prix
Every year Sopot hosts the Lots Championships Grand Prix. This is a unique attraction for all lovers of fast cars and racing. The route runs through Sopot and into Gdynia.
Trefl Sopot
Trefl Sopot is a Polish basketball club founded in 2009 by Kazimierz Wierzbicki, in place of Asseco Prokom Sopot. Basketball games take place at the Ergo Arena. It is one of the most famous basketball clubs in Poland and has great popularity among Sopot’s residents.