LOCATION
A city in West Pomerania, located on the border of Drawskie Lake District and Szczecineckie Lake District, between three lakes: Trzesiecko, Wielimie and Wilczkowo. In the city runs national and provincial roads and runs a railway line, so you can get here by car and by train. 53°42’36.2″N 16°41’35.3″E
Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle in Szczecinek, photo source:
SCENIC CHARACTER
The name of the city, New Szczecin, referred to Szczecin, the capital of the Pomeranian Duchy. Due to its location – surrounded by three lakes, at the edge of the Pomeranian Duchy near the border with the Teutonic state, the city was of great defensive importance. The first seat of the Pomeranian dukes built in this place was more of a knight’s watch than the ducal castle. The building of a huge castle by the Teutons in the nearby Człuchów was a challenge for the Pomeranian dukes who soon expanded their castle in Szczecinek. In this castle, the Teutonic master Ulrich von Jungingen asked Pomeranian dukes for support before the Battle of Grunwald. The castle was rebuilt many times. The most important person of Griffins for Szczecinek is duchess Jadwiga Brunswick, wife of Pomeranian prince Ulric. And although she stayed in Szczecinek of the Thirty Years’ War time, the Duchess became a important person of the city’s history (and Pomeranian education), funding in 1640 the middle school and scholarships for the most talented students. She also funded a hospital and many valuable items for the church of St. Nicholas. Due fact, council members did not respect her last will about burial in Szczecinek and she was funeraled in Darłowo, one of the legends says she as “white lady” wanders around the streets of the city. Another place associated with the Griffins dynasty is the Marientron Hill, on which the Pomeranian dukes in the 14th century founded the Augustinian monastery. Here, Princess Elżbieta was buried, wife Bogusław V and daughter of the Polish King Casimir the Great. The building fell into disrepair. During World War II, in this place was German camp for women.
Today, in the rebuilt Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle, there is a Conference Center with gastronomy and hotel. You can know the history of the Griffins dynasty, the Duchy of Pomerania and duchess Jadwiga is in the nearby Regional Museum, but only the memory remained after the Augustinian monastery and princess Elżbieta.
ATTRACTIONS
Lakes are a great attraction of Szczecinek. The city in its coat of arms has a black princely griffin on a golden field (Kashubian griffin) and a silver fish – probably a sturgeon, inhabiting the waters of Szczecin’s lakes. Next to the Castle, one of the longest lifts for wakeboarding and water skiing in Europe awaits for lovers of active. There is a bike rental network in the city and a water tram runs on the Trzesiecko lake – the name of one of them refers to the duchess Jadwiga, adored by the inhabitants of Szczecinek. In the summer there are many sports and cultural events taking place here.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Heritage Class: [ C ]Cultural Heritage
Subclass [MS] : Monuments and sites
WEB PAGES
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szczecinek
http://www.zamek.szczecinek.pl/
http://www.muzeum.szczecinek.pl/sala-szlachecka.html
