Gdańsk (kaszb. Gduńsk, German Danzig, Lat. Gedania, Dantiscum) - Developed as an agricultural center - Fishing - craftsman. Evidence for settlement in this area date back to Stone Age (2500-1700 BC) and certify the existence of archaeological sites of the Lusatian culture, the culture and the Slav population of the Roman period. Here he begins the "amber route". Ok. 975 The River Motława initiative Mieszko I, built the castle with the port.
Gdańsk received in 1236 from the hands of Pomeranian Duke Svatopluk II. In 1308, the Teutonic Knights captured the castle deceit. The Teutonic Knights built a new castle, canal Radunia and organized urban center with rajcami and mayor. Ok. 1400 Danzig team consisted of four elements - from the City: Main Square, Old, Young and Osiek. Town soon bogaciło on trade, mainly in grain and timber.
During this period, a comparison of traffic in the ports of the Hanseatic falls in favor of Gdansk, which equaled only Lubeck. Under the oppression of the Teutonic Knights in 1440, the town joins the Prussian Union.