along the Strzyza Stream
On August 24th I had a pleasure of leading a guided tour for the residents of Gdansk-Wrzeszcz. Together we walked one kilometre stretch, a fragment of 13 km Strzyza creek course. During the walk I shared the incredible and hidden history of the Strzyza: once a driving force behind the development of the city, now treated as an unwanted presence due to lost function, floods and privatisation of grounds.
We started at the old (XVII century) workshop and residency of a silversmith Peter von der Rennen, whose craft thrived thanks to the energy harvested from the fast flowing current of Strzyza. We ended our walk in what remains from the old terraced garden of a merchant Franz Rottenburg. Strzyza's water played a central role in the garden: it fuelled a recreational pond and a decorative fountain. Today, both places are almost gone. From the silversmith’s workshop, only the water pond remains, now serving a flood-protection function, while from Franz’s terraced garden, the topography and old trees is what has survived.
The idea of a guided tour along Strzyza first came during my graduation presentation. Four yeas ago I have completed studies at the Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam, with a project 'Choreographing resilience around the flooding Strzyza creek'. Now, four years later I am happy to bring awareness of this disappearing creek to the communities living around it. We still have a chance to protect what little remains.
I am grateful for all the positive responses from the citizens and for the chance to prepare this tour in collaboration with Fundacja Palma, which has been organising cultural walks and events in Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz for many years.
Collaborators: Jakub Knera from Fundacja Palma
Type: guided tour | research
Location: Gdansk, Poland
Supporters: Stimuleringsfonds, Talent Grant
Year: 2025