Chojna: Brick Gothic, City Gates and a Natural Monument

Chojna’s Old Town is surrounded by medieval fortifications. With St. Mary's Church, its preserved city gates and the protected “Olbrzym” plane tree, the town offers a range of reasons to visit. Architectural history and Brick Gothic sit alongside a remarkable natural monument—a combination that makes Chojna an interesting destination for those interested in culture and nature.

St. Mary's Church and Brick Gothic

St. Mary's Church was built in several phases between 1389 and 1459. Its design comes from the workshop of Szczecin architect Heinrich Brunsberg. This building history makes the church an important historical landmark in Chojna. It is also used as a concert and exhibition hall. Its role is therefore shaped not only by its medieval origins, but also by its cultural use today.

The Old Town’s architectural monuments also place Chojna in the broader context of the European Route of Brick Gothic. Those interested in historic architecture can take this connection into account when planning a trip and choose Chojna as a destination with its own distinctive architectural character.

Gates and fortifications

The surviving city gates include the Barnkowska Gate and the Świecka Gate. Both date from the 15th century, but have different architectural features: the Barnkowska Gate has an open viewing terrace. The Świecka Gate is distinguished by an octagonal tower with four turrets. Those exploring the medieval gates will find two specific architectural forms here, rather than just a general idea of town fortifications.

The Chojna fortification complex also included the Piekarska, Więzienna and Bociania towers. The Church of the Holy Trinity features ceramic masks used as corbels. These details add distinctive architectural elements to the larger structures. For a trip focused on history and architecture, the fortifications, gates and churches offer a range of topics to explore individually.

A natural monument in the town

The “Olbrzym” plane tree adds a natural history highlight. It is protected as a natural monument and considered a tourist and natural history attraction in the town. Its trunk circumference is 1078 cm, measured at a height of 1.3 metres above the ground; the tree is 33 metres tall. It is estimated to be 300 years old.

An event in August

The Dni Integracji, Przyjaźni i Ekumenizmu (Days of Integration, Friendship and Ecumenism) take place every year on the last weekend of August. The programme lasts three days, with most events held in St. Mary's Church. If you would like to plan your trip around this occasion, you can use the last weekend of August as a guide when choosing your dates. The event adds an annual cultural date to Chojna’s calendar, while the historic buildings and the plane tree contribute to the town’s character throughout the year.

Choose Chojna as a holiday destination

The town’s varied attractions can help you decide whether Chojna is right for your stay: you can focus on medieval architecture, the history of the fortifications, cultural events or the natural monument. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Chojna, you can first consider whether this blend of town history and nature discovery suits your holiday plans. For those travelling together, the choice between architecture and nature also offers a range of interests to shape the trip around.

More local pages: Kolbatz, Stare Brynki, Binowo, Moryń, Cedynia, Krzywin, Widuchowa, Nowe Czarnowo.

For the overview of the wider area: Greifenhagen.