Elbląg

Elbląg is one of the oldest cities in the province, founded in 1237. As a member of the Hanseatic League, the city was linked to other major ports of northern and central Europe. Elbląg joined Poland in 1454, and then was one of the country's chief ports, and a major port for English–Polish trade, until the First Partition of Poland in 1772, when it was annexed by Prussia. Its trading role greatly weakened, until the era of industrialization in the 19th century. It was then that the famous Elbląg Canal was commissioned. A tourist site and important engineering monument, it has been named one of the Seven Wonders of Poland and a Historic Monument of Poland. During World War II, it suffered severe destruction of the Old Town district, and after the war it became again part of Poland.

Today, Elbląg has over 120,000 inhabitants and is a "vibrant city with an attractive tourist base". It serves as an academic and financial center and among its numerous historic monuments is the Market Gate from 1309 and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Elbląg is also known for its archaeological sites, museums and the country's largest brewery, founded in 1872.