Śródmieście is a district, part of which forms the most representative area of Gdańsk. Among the city’s districts, Śródmieście stands out for its wealth of culturally significant heritage sites, and its waterfront location has played a major role in its development over the centuries. The Dead Vistula, the Old Motława, the New Motława, the so-called Motława Moat, the Radunia Canal, and the Na Stępce Canal attracted craft workshops and industrial plants for centuries, while the water worked for Gdańsk and also served as part of its defense system. Today, a sign of the changing use of the waterways is the development of marinas, harbors, and water tram stops in Śródmieście. To the delight of residents and tourists alike, the water is taking on a recreational character. Śródmieście, with an area of 5.65 square kilometers, consists of eleven historic units, each with its own distinct character.