In 1997, Gdansk celebrates its one thousandth anniversary. Located where the Vistula River meets the Baltic Sea, it is part of the Tri-City area which includes the modern seaport of Gdynia and the resort town of Sopot. Gdansk is a paradise for visitors, with its historic charm intact despite the heavy toll of World War II. Romantic Mariacka Lane invites strollers to experience the quiet of times past, while the Long Market bustles with activity well into the evening. The medieval St. Mary's Church, Poland's largest church, towers maJestically over the city. Neptune's Fountain stands in front of the late-Gothic Artus Court, one of the Old Town's most impressive buildings. The City Hall and its tall thin tower date from the l4th and l5th centuries.Many other buildings were built by Flemish and Dutch Visitors flock year-round to the town famous for its amber, architecture, and smooth Hevelius beer. Yet it was also here that Solidarity Trade Union was born, at the shipyard where a monument to the workers' effort draws crowds. The northern suburb of Oliwa is home to a cathedral which contains the famous Organ of Oliwa, built from 1763 to 1788. Today, it is still played during concerts. At nearby Westerplatte, the first shots of World War II were fired. In Gdynia, tall ships and modern vessels dock side by side at the port. Sopot, the traditional resort for well to- do Poles, now attracts an international clientele with its casino, dining and nightlife. Its Grand Hotel has been completely renovated and recalls the glamor of the Old World. Outside the 1li-City stretch hundreds of miles of seacoast, ideal for watersports and horseback riding,or just a respite from hectic city life.