Introducing Hel
Let’s face it…this town has a name that amuses English speakers, prompting gags about ‘when Hel freezes over’, ‘a cold day in Hel’ and ‘to Hel and back’. When the clever wordplay is out of the way, however, what remains is a pleasant, relaxed holiday town. At the end of its long slender sand bar, it feels like it’s a million miles from the worries of the wider world.
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Dependent on seasonal influxes of visitors, Hel is almost dead in winter. In summer, it transforms into a cheerful, lively beach town, its main street full of holidaymakers browsing souvenir stands or having a drink in the numerous beer gardens.
Throughout history, the town benefited from its strategic location at the maritime gateway to Gdańsk. By the 14th century Hel was a prosperous fishing port and trading centre. However, it was constantly threatened by storms and the shifting coastline, and declined in importance in the 18th century before reinventing itself as a popular seaside resort.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
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