Pölitz: Forests, Trails and History

In the municipality of Police, excursions range from forest landscapes and birdwatching to Gothic architecture, medieval monastery remains and industrial history. If you choose Pölitz as your holiday destination, you can shape your stay around these interests: with a focus on routes and nature, or with time for monuments and places of remembrance. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider which of these aspects you would most like to explore.

Forests, birdlife and trails in the municipality of Police

The Puszcza Wkrzańska is a large forest complex in the municipality of Police, criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails. Over a period of more than a dozen years, 205 bird species were observed there. Breeding birds recorded as part of this natural landscape include, among others, lesser spotted and white-tailed eagles; frequently observed red kites are also among them. Another natural attraction is the Świdwie Lake ornithological reserve: it was included in the Ramsar Convention in 1984 and is one of the world’s significant wetlands.

The routes differ both in length and in their course. “Dookoła gminy Police” is about 48 kilometres long and passes through Police, Siedlice, Pilchowo, Tanowo, Witorza, Tatynia, Wieńkowo, Jasienica, Nowa Jasienica, Drogoradz, Uniemyśl and Trzebież before returning to Police. The approximately 58-kilometre “Nad brzegi śródleśnych jezior” route runs from Police via Siedlice, Pilchowo, Lake Bartoszewo, Tanowo, Węgornik, Lake Świdwie, Zalesie, Lake Piaski and Lake Karpino to Trzebież and back. “Szlakiem budownictwa ryglowego” follows an approximately 40-kilometre route from Police via Tanowo, Tatynia, Jasienica, Niekłończyca and Trzebież, returning to Police.

For a shorter hiking route, the yellow “Szlak Policki” is another option: it is 11.6 kilometres long and starts at Police Rynek. The trail passes through Trzeszczyn, the monument there, Stare Leśno, the Szczecin–Tanowo road and Bartoszewo. This makes it possible to compare the route’s length with the longer routes without conflating their different courses. When planning, check the current trail markings and conditions.

Insights into history and remembrance

In the town of Police stands the neo-Gothic Church of St Mary, built at the end of the 19th century. Its tower is more than 60 metres high; the church is one of the town’s significant architectural monuments and unofficial symbols. The Polickie Lapidarium in Staromiejski Park offers another way to explore the past. The museum of funerary sculpture is also a place of remembrance. Its establishment began around the turn of 1997/98; it comprises more than 120 restored cemetery elements from 24 German pre-war cemeteries.

The ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery lie in Police-Jasienica. The monastery was founded in the 14th century on the banks of the Gunica. The surviving Gothic perimeter walls of the east and south wings reach the height of the first floor, and there are also cellar rooms. Conservation work may affect access. Together, the church, lapidarium and monastery ruins show different aspects of the municipality’s architectural and commemorative history.

The ruins of Hydrierwerke Politz AG link industrial history with the history of the Second World War. The plant was established on the basis of the smaller Norddeutsche Mineralolwerke GmbH, which regenerated partially unused marine fuels. Between 1939 and 1944, eight camps were located nearby, where prisoners of war from across Europe were held. Hydrierwerke Politz AG was bombed repeatedly; the last air raid took place in February 1945, after which only ruins remained. The Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Ziemi Polickiej “SKARB” association leads tours around the site, introducing its history, myths and legends. A walking and educational trail maintained by the association also runs through the ruins, with a shorter and a longer option.

An excursion destination nearby

In the vicinity of Pölitz, the Cross-Border Centre for Environmental Education is located in Zalesie. It lies in the buffer zone of the Świdwie reserve, in the Puszcza Wkrzańska and next to the Trzebież Forest District. On Saturdays, the centre is open for individual visits, including families, adults accompanying children and adults. Visitors can see the ecosystem room, the atmospheric phenomena room, the observation terrace and exhibits in the corridors; the grounds also have a sensory garden and a playground. Check opening arrangements before travelling.

The centre also offers activities on educational trails in nearby forests for hikers and cyclists. Participants receive basic equipment for exploring the area; booking arrangements may vary. In the town of Police, a nature-oriented recreational area with access to the water was also created on the banks of the Łarpia, connected by footpaths and cycle paths. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to focus on nature and longer routes or on architectural and industrial history during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nowe Warpno, Tanowo, Police, Wołczkowo, Kurów, Trzebież, Mierzyn, Bezrzecze, Dobra, Dołuje, Pilchowo, Kołbaskowo, Brzózki and Przęsocin.

Go to the regional travel overview: West Pomerania.