The Modernist City Center of Gdynia officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The highly anticipated decision was made during the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that took place on July 27th, 2026, in the South Korean city of Busan. The recognition celebrates a city that embodies an “Outstanding Universal Value”.

pic. Konrad Kędzior

The White City…

Built almost entirely from scratch during the interwar period, Gdynia is lauded as one of the world’s most exceptional, coherent examples of early modernist urban planning. Its architectural identity is deeply rooted in its maritime heritage and the progressive, functionalist ideals of the 1920s and 30s. Urban planners combined traditional European street grids with progressive housing solutions that prioritized access to sunlight and fresh sea air.
What makes the city center so visually striking is its remarkable aesthetic cohesion. Many buildings feature rounded corners resembling ship hulls, tubular railings, circular porthole windows and distinct balconies. To add to the maritime inspired forms, the city features clean, bright facades and unornamented walls, which earned Gdynia the nickname “White City”.

Remarkably, while the port was heavily damaged, the downtown area survived the devastation of World War II largely intact. Today, its streets, building proportions, and historic facades offer a window into the European interwar period.

… born from the sea

The story of Gdynia could be described as the “Polish Dream”. After regaining its independence in 1918 following 123 years of partitions, the reborn Polish state found itself with only 74 kilometres of coastline and no major seaport. To ensure economic independence, the nation needed a gateway to the world.
In 1922 the Polish government decided to build a new seaport on the site of a small Kashubian fishing village, which at the time had a population of 1200. Few years later the city center was planned and constructed at a remarkable speed. In little over a decade, the population grew to over 120000, creating one of Europe’s most modern port cities.

pic. Konrad Kędzior

A living monument

“The inscription is above else a tribute to brave people, urbanists, architects, engineers and constructors, who believed that from a small village you can build a port and a city. This success belongs as well to the generations of habitants of Gdynia, who for decades took care of their city, and are doing this even today” – said the Mayor of Gdynia, Aleksandra Kosiorek.

Unlike ancient ruins or isolated historical sites, Gdynia’s modernist center remains a thriving urban core. The inscription is more than an appreciation of its architectural pedigree, but a testament to visionary urban planning. For architecture enthusiasts and historians alike, Gdynia is more than just a hidden gem on the Baltic coast. It is now officially recognized as a beacon of ambition, independence and modernization.