Szymbark: Castle Ruins, Pine Avenue and Lake

In Szymbark, Gothic castle ruins, a protected pine avenue and a nearby lake come together. The castle tells the story of medieval architecture and its former role as a residence; Aleja Napoleona and the overgrown park draw your attention to nature. For your stay, you can therefore consider whether you would mainly like to explore historic sites, tree-lined landscapes or both.

A Castle with an Unusual History

Szymbark Castle is a 14th-century ruin. Its first construction phase lasted from 1378 to 1386. As a defensive complex of the castellum type, it is unique in its form and served as the residence of the provosts of the Pomesanian Cathedral Chapter. It is considered the second-largest castle in Poland after Malbork. This gives an impression of its importance, without suggesting that the present-day complex is an inhabited castle: since the securing and clearance work in the 1960s, it has been a permanently preserved ruin and is not in use.

The history of film is another of the site’s distinctive associations: scenes for the film “Król Olch” starring John Malkovich were shot in the castle courtyard. The courtyard itself cannot currently be visited because the castle is privately owned. However, it is possible to see the exterior: the route goes around the walls and through the former park by Lake Szymbarskie. This lets you focus your visit on the exterior and its surroundings without planning access to the courtyard.

Another way to discover the complex is through a virtual tour. The Zamek Szymbark Foundation set up a website where visitors can explore the 14th-century castle and the surrounding park virtually. This complements the view from outside with a digital perspective on the castle and park.

Pine Avenue, Park and Lake

Aleja Napoleona leads out of Szymbark. The approximately 200-year-old pine avenue is fully protected as a natural monument. Local tradition has it that it led from Szymbark towards the castle in Kamieniec. Napoleon was stationed at this castle for two months in 1807. The story connects the avenue’s name with a specific historic place, while remaining clearly identified as local tradition.

West of the castle lies an overgrown park with large oak and beech trees; many of these trees are designated natural monuments. Lake Szymbarskie, close to Szymbark, lies in the buffer zone of the landscape park; it covers 165.2 hectares and is 25.1 metres deep. The von Finckenstein family cemetery is also nearby and is another place to visit.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Szymbark, the kind of trip you want can be the deciding factor: Would you like to devote your time mainly to the castle’s history, take in the protected avenue and the trees, or combine both? These different interests can help you choose the focus of your stay, without assuming a particular walking route or a connection between all the destinations.

Discover More Places

If you would like to continue your search beyond Szymbark, you can find more destination pages here: Jaskowo, Szałkowo, Bądki, Eylau, Urowo, Boreczno, Duba and Zalewo.

For the overview of the wider region: Iławski.