John Hevelius, born in 1611 in Gdansk as Hans Hevelcke, was an extraordinary figure - an astronomer, brewer, city councilman and inventor. The son of a wealthy brewer, despite studying law and economics in Leiden, he devoted his life to sky observation. His contribution to astronomy is invaluable - he discovered several constellations, including Sobieski's Shield, and six constellations are named after him. It was in honor of this prominent Danzig citizen that a trail of colorful lions was created, referring to his diverse talents and activities.

The first point on the route is the 'Lion Hevelion - Astronomer', located near the historic center of the city. This statue depicts a lion with a telescope and a map of the sky, referring to Hevelion's main passion. It is worth knowing that the astronomer's real observatory was located on the roofs of three tenement houses on Korzenna Street. It was one of the most modern places of its kind in Europe at the time, equipped with a gigantic telescope that aroused the admiration of his contemporaries. The Lion Astronomer introduces visitors to the world of 17th-century science and encourages them to look into the sky with the same curiosity that Hevelius had.

Another figure worth visiting is the 'Lion of Hevelion - Mayor', located at 10 Rajska St. This figure recalls the public activities of Hevelius, who served as a juror in the Old Town Hall from 1641 and later became a city councilman. The lion, dressed in the historic garb of a city councilman, holds a book of laws in his paws, symbolizing the astronomer's involvement in city affairs. This is an excellent opportunity to tell children about the old system of city governance and show that even great scientists were involved in community life. Near the statue is an information board with interesting facts about Hevelius' public activities, which is a great addition to a family trip.

Not to be missed is the 'Lion of Hevelion - Businessman' at the Great Mills, which refers to Hevelius' entrepreneurial activities as a brewery owner. Few people know that it was the income from beer production that financed expensive astronomical research and the publication of scientific books. A lion in elegant period dress, holding a mug of beer and an account book, reminds us of this practical aspect of the great scientist's life. For children, it's an interesting lesson about how scientific research was financed in the old days, and for parents - an opportunity to learn about Gdansk's brewing traditions, which date back to the Middle Ages.

Continuing the family adventure along the route of the Hevelion lions, it is impossible to miss the 'Hevelion Lion - Sailor' located on the Olowianka. This colorful statue depicts a lion in the costume of a sailor with a telescope and compass, which refers to the maritime history of Gdansk and the navigational interests of Hevelius himself. Although not a sailor, the astronomer understood the importance of his research for navigation - his maps of the sky and observations of the stars helped captains navigate the open sea. The Lion Mariner stands in a picturesque location overlooking the Motlawa River, which provides an excellent opportunity to tell children about the importance of Gdansk as a Hanseatic port and its ties to the sea.

There is an interesting local legend associated with the figure of the sailor, which is not found in official guidebooks in vain. It is said that on moonless nights the lion comes to life and sets out to find a lost treasure, which, according to legends, Hevelius hid somewhere in the city. Children love such stories, and the search for 'Hevelius's treasure' can become additional fun during the tour. It's worth encouraging the youngest to invent their own version of this legend - it's a great exercise of imagination and a way to engage them in learning about the city's history.

The next stop on the tour is the 'Lion Hevelion - Lord of the Seas', which can be found in the city center. This majestic statue depicts a lion in a royal cloak, with a crown and scepter, symbolizing the power of Gdansk as a port city. It also refers to Hevelius' contacts with European rulers, including King John III Sobieski, in whose honor the astronomer named the constellation he discovered. It is worth knowing that Hevelius maintained correspondence with many crowned heads of Europe, and his works were held in high esteem at royal courts. At this statue you can tell your children about the importance of Gdansk in the former Republic and its international connections.

Near Dlugi Targ, the 'Lion Hevelion - GOCC' awaits visitors, which stands out from the other statues by its contemporary character. This lion, adorned with symbols of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, bridges the gap between history and the present. It is a reminder that Hevelius' legacy - his curiosity about the world, innovation and social commitment - is still relevant today. The statue was created as part of a charity event and combines historical education with the idea of helping others. It's a great place to talk to children about social values and show how history can inspire modern actions.

An interesting fact that few people know is that Elisabeth Koopmann, Hevelius' second wife, was his assistant and scientific collaborator. This is unusual for the 17th century, when women were rarely involved in scientific research. By the lion statues, you can find subtle references to this pioneer of astronomy - some of them have female elements in their costumes or accessories. This is a great opportunity to tell children about the role of women in science and breaking stereotypes, making the tour not only historical, but also educational in a social context.

When planning a family excursion along the Hewelion lion trail, it is worth preparing accordingly to maximize the educational and entertaining potential of the route. First of all, the entire trail can be walked in one day, but with young children it is better to spread the tour over two days so that they are not too tired. The lion figures are located in different parts of the city, which gives you the opportunity to explore both the main attractions of Gdansk and its less frequented, but equally charming corners.

To make the tour more attractive, you can prepare a special treasure map with marked lion figures, which children will complete during the tour. At each lion it is worth taking a souvenir photo and encourage the youngest to guess what role the lion plays and how it is related to the life of John Hevelius. You can also prepare simple tasks or riddles related to each figure, such as 'Find in the sky the constellation discovered by Hevelius' by the Lion Astronomer or 'Count how many ships pass under the bridge in 5 minutes' by the Lion Mariner.

The Hevellian Lion Trail fits perfectly with a visit to the Hevelianum Center - a modern educational center located in the historic fort on Gradowa Mountain. This place offers interactive exhibitions and workshops related to astronomy, physics and history, which are a great complement to the knowledge gained during the tour of the trail. Particularly interesting are the night sky observations, during which children can feel like Hevelius himself, studying the stars through a telescope. The center also organizes special events for families, such as science picnics and demonstrations of experiments.

Also worth a visit is the Gdansk Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences, where original works and documents related to Hevelius' life and work are kept. Although this place may seem too serious for the youngest, special workshops for children are organized there, during which they can see replicas of old astronomical instruments or learn the basics of calligraphy, which Hevelius used in his manuscripts. It's a fascinating trip back in time that shows what the work of a scientist was like in the 17th century.

When comparing the different lion figures in terms of their appeal to children, the highest rated are usually the Sailor Lion and the Astronomer Lion due to their colors and interesting attributes. The GOCC Lion attracts attention with its contemporary character, and the Lord of the Seas Lion impresses with its majestic appearance. Slightly less impressive for the youngest may be the Lion Mayor and the Lion Businessman, but they too have their charm, especially when accompanied by an interesting story. It is advisable to adapt the route to the age and interests of the children - for the youngest choosing the most colorful figures and located in places where they can move freely, and for the older ones planning a full route with additional educational attractions.

At the end of the tour, you can offer the children to create their own design of a Hevelion lion - what would a lion representing themselves or their interests look like? This is a great exercise in creativity and a way to consolidate the knowledge gained during the tour. Some local cafes near the trail offer special menus for children with astronomical themes, which can be a nice end to a day full of excitement. The Hevelion Lion Trail is not only a lesson in history and astronomy, but above all an unforgettable family adventure that combines learning with fun at its best.