Zoppot - North riviera
Before the war, Zoppot was famous bath (Ostseebad) and very often visited tourist spa. The tourist infrastructure was more rich than today. Restaurants, hotels, casino and small beach architecture, we can only dream about them. Here you can see how people spent time in this famous place before the war. You can see pictures from Zoppot and read about this famous town in magazine from 1930s. - Die Möwe.
The text below comes from the special edition of Die Möwe magazine and keeps the original style.
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| Cover of special edition of Die Möwe. |
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Zoppot, an independent municipality with over 30 000 inhabitants in the territory of the Free State of Danzig, has the character almost exclusively of a refined health resort, with no disturbing street noises or rushing traffic. The upper part of the town, closely adjoining the extensive woodlands, is a city of villas set in a garden. In the immediate vicinity of the beach and the Kurhaus and park, is the part of the town where most of the visitors stay during deason, and the hotels, pensions and furnished rooms are in numbers sufficient to offer accomodation to suit every taste.
Zoppot, the world resort on the Baltic is noted for the mildless of its climate, its high average of sunshine and favourable temperature of the sea, which make bathing possible from early in the year until late in the autumn. This nerve-restoring sea-bathing on the entirely stone-free, mosquito-less white sand of the beach is in itself enough to assure Zoppot its reputation as an ideal summer resort.
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What is a seaside resort without due and proper encouragement of water sports? Whichever it may be - sailing, swimming, canoering or surf-riding - you can either take an active part or be one of the spectators of the first-class contests in which the participants are of international renome.
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Should the sun-drenched beach prove too warm or tiring, in Zoppot one can go to the immediately adjoining lovely shady park, an advantage which Zoppot has over all other bathing resorts. Flowerbeds of glorious colour alternate with spreading lawns to please the eye of the beholder.
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To the holiday belongs the deck-chair! Here you see the traditional park rest-cure, such as is offered today by every modern health resort, but...
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...at the end of the 700 yard long pier, in the pure, dust-free sea air, the enjoyment of sun-bathing on comfortable rest-chairs is something that only Zoppot can offer you. Trained attendants are at hand to care for you and look after your welfare.
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Zoppot's landmark is the 600 metre pier - the longest in Europe!
Is there anything more healthy than such a promenade clear of dust in refreshing sea air? At every hour of the day is an ever new and delightful vista of clouds, waves and sky. Here is graceful yaht, there is shining mahogany of the elegant motorboat; at the pier-head a vessel of the Seedienst Ostpreussen is tying up, out in the roads an ocean liner is sending her passengers ashore in pinnaces to attend the evening ball at the Kurhaus or to visit the Casino; there is always something new for the eye or the ear. Fishermen are putting out to sea in their cutters; the 10 metre high diving tower is a centre of animation, where enthusiastic young people pursue their training al all hours of the day; even stolid anglers are there too!
The only thing you will not find here is monothoy!
Even on stormy or rainy days there is no need to forego the pleasure of the daily constitutional. Sheltered broad solariums immediately adjacent to the beach invite you the rest awhile in their comfortable seats.
At the mineral water fountain are to be had the original waters of the health resorts of:
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Among the many and varied events at the Casino Hotel, the largest and most elegant hotel in Eastern Europe, the afternoon tea dances in the open air enjoy a wide popularity.
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| Tea dances in front of the Casino Hotel with a view of the sea. |
The dance band and the performers engaged by the Casino Hotel are only those of international repute. At cocktail time or in the evening, visit the Casino Bar, which has been named the prettiest bar in Europe. Have you ever set on a bar stool and watched the sun rising over the sea? You can enjoy this spectacle here!
The music-loving public comes in large numbers to attend the daily afternoon and evening concerts of the Kurhaus orchestra and its 48 musicians. The weekly solist and symphony concerts in the Kurhaus gardens are of a high artistic level.
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The Zoppot Forest Opera, with its natural open air stage, demonstrates in a new and absolutely unique manner the closeness to nature of the works of Richard Wagner. Its Richard Wagner Festival Performances are world-renowned; they are attended by tens of thousands of visitors of all nationalities. General Intendent Hermann Merz is in charge of the artistic production. Famous European conductors have visited the Forest Opera: Schillings, Knappertsbusch, Elmendorff, Pfitzner. The imposing Festival Orchestra is composed of musicians from the foremost theaters and orchestras. The chorus has 500 members.
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| Onn the hallowed ground of German art and culture, the Zoppot Forest Opera with its yearly season of Richard Wagner festival performances is the delight of the artistic and musical public. |
The culminating point of the season's social events is the great international dance tournament at the Kurhaus. Beautiful women, exquisite gowns, the alluring rhythm of a first class band make a frame for this occasion, for which European dancing and sporting circles have nothing but praise. The best dancers of 17 nations accepted the invitation of the resort management to attend the contestfor the world-championship for amatours in 1937.
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An especially big holiday for visitors and residents alike is the traditional "Big Thursday" in the middle of July. On that day there is an never-ending feast for the eyes. Through the streets and the great Kurhaus gardens moves the Flower Corso in which the cars of the visitors compete with those of the residents in friendly rivalry for the handsome prizes. Dancing displays alternate with Gymnastic shows and the highest peak is reached in the evening when the festive illuminations of the pier and the gardens, and the miriads of coloured lights transport the beholder into a veritable fairyland
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| Fashion shows in the Kurhaus gardens and in the Casino Hotel are always a big attraction in and out of doors. |
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It is not only the grown-ups for whom Zoppot caters: for the holidays it is a children's paradise. The bathing beach has no dangerous currents or depths, and there is a special playground where high spirits can be "worked off!"
Daily donkey rides in the gardens.
Fairy tale plays in the Kurhaus theatre.
And the specially unforgettable Children's Day with processions in fancy dress and many jolly entertainments and surprises.
Often during the summer the gaily flag-bedecked pier is further animated by the lively presentations of the leading German dancing and gymnastic schools. Just as full of swing and youthful energy and suppleness will you feel when you come for a stay, be it short or long, and enjoy the blessings of health-giving sun, sand and sea. There are many opportunitiesfor gymnastics, light athletics and dancing in the schools and courses of instruction. In the Nordbad there is always a qualified sports and swimming instructor.
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For a great many years special importance has been attached to the sport of tennis in Zoppot. The Zoppot Tennis Club can look back upon a tradition of over 35 years standing, and the sporting events arranged under its auspices have greatly contributed towards Zoppot's renown as the "Stronghold of Sport in the East". Players in the world class, amatours as well as professionals visit Zoppot frequently. International tournaments with 15 - 18 nations represented, are a usual feature. Prominent tennis stars such as Tilden, Nüßlein, Vines, Quist, Henkel, Hebda and many others, have met at Zoppot. The spacious tennis grounds with the attractive clubhouse include 16 tennis courts. Guest memberships are available for visitors.
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Zoppot's extensive woodlands and the lovely sea shore call all lovers of riding to the saddle. Two riding schools provide first class riding horses.
International riding and jumping tournament in Zoppot has place at the picturesque race-course with its view of the sea.
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Every year in July there are big sailing reggatas in Zoppot Bay, combined with international sailing meetings. Well over 100 foreign sailing vessels come to the starting line at Zoppot reggatas. The unforgettable picture of gleaming sails, scudding clouds and deep blue sea.
The swimming torunament for the "Mastery of the German Seas" is organised in Zoppot. The canoers also have their annual regatta before Zoppot.
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Our health resort caters also for sick people and convalescents. Every sort of medicinal bath, particulary curative mud-baths from our own sources, ray treatment, massage, inhalation, Russian-Roman baths, and the especially popular warm sea baths, are all available at the modern Hydro (Warmbad).
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High spirits not only in the summer! Whoever has once taken part in the Zoppot Carnival exclaims: Why go to Munich or Cologne - Zoppot is just as much fun!
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In ice and snow - Zoppot is ever lovely!
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The environs of Zoppot, both near and further away, have many interesting and delightful excursions to attract the motorist. Of world fame are the architectural and artistic treasures of the ancient Hansa City of Danzig, which can be reached from Zoppot in 20 to 30 minutes by car, train or motor-bus. A day excursion is a trip to the Tannenberg Memorial, last resting place of Fieldmarshal Hindenburg on the field of the greatest battle of the World War. A visit to Marienburg, castle of the Ancient Order of Teutonic Knights, is also a day's excursion.
The Casino (licensed by the State) completes the picture of an internationally famous seaside resort. Throughout the year roulette and baccarat are played here according to international rules.
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