About This Location
Stand just beside the Golden Gate and look at the compact, late Gothic building that seems almost tucked into the city walls. This is the Court of Saint George's Brotherhood - Dwór Bractwa świętego Jerzego - set right on Targ Węglowy. It was built at the end of the fifteenth century, in 1487 to 1494, as the home of one of Gdańsk’s most prestigious brotherhoods. This group was not only social. It was an elite shooting brotherhood, with strong ties to the city’s patricians and merchant class. Think of it as a mix of civic club, ceremonial guard, and status symbol. Inside, members held meetings, staged feasts, and even put on performances, keeping up the tradition of public spectacle that fit a wealthy port city. Now look up at the roofline. The building has a steep, tent-like roof crowned by a small turret, and on top sits one of its best details - a figure of Saint George fighting the dragon, added in 1566. The statue you see today is typically presented as a replacement, with the original kept in the National Museum in Gdańsk. Imagine the practical side of the brotherhood as well. Sources describe the lower areas as storage and working space for weapons and equipment, while the upper hall was where the brotherhood gathered in style. Even the nickname sometimes used for this place, “Strzelnica,” hints at that shooting tradition. This building also tells a story about change. The brotherhood’s activities ended in 1798, and the court passed into city hands. Today, it has served new roles over time, including as a home for architecture-related organizations - but the exterior still carries the pride of the original founders. Before moving on, take a last glance at how tightly it sits against the gate and the old defensive line - a reminder that in Gdańsk, prestige and protection often stood side by side.