Discover Świdwin

Świdwin Castle and its historic rooms

The castle’s origins date back to the late 13th century. Visitors can explore the oldest, northern wing and the defensive tower. Its rooms include an exhibition salon, a knights’ hall, an event hall and museum rooms. If you would like to learn more about the castle’s history, you can choose a historical guided tour: it lasts about 45 minutes and is available only with a guide. Tickets for the castle visit are sold at the tourist information centre.

The Świdwiński Ośrodek Kultury is also connected with the castle: since 1968, the cultural centre has been based in the restored and remodelled 13th-century castle. This historic building therefore brings together visitor areas and a cultural centre. When planning your trip, you can consider whether you would like to focus on the castle’s history, its rooms and exhibitions, or the town’s cultural life.

Church, cemetery and traces of the town’s history

St Mary’s Church is considered one of Świdwin’s most significant Gothic monuments. It was first mentioned in historical records in 1338. A unique medieval granite baptismal font has been preserved inside. The building’s long history and this distinctive furnishing make the church a destination in its own right for travellers interested in Gothic architecture and historic church art.

Another place of remembrance is the Jewish cemetery, one of the best-preserved Jewish cemeteries in West Pomerania. Its surviving features include a stone wall with a square ground plan, an arrangement of avenues and burial plots, and numerous freestanding gravestones and tomb slabs. These elements give the cemetery a clearly defined layout; at the same time, the gravestones and grounds represent a different facet of local history from the castle and church buildings.

A 14-metre section of the medieval town walls survives above the Rega River. It is made of fieldstones and medieval bricks laid in the Wendish bond. The Stone Gate also recalls the former fortifications: the gate is a remnant of the medieval town defences, was built in 1475 on the foundations of an older structure, and was remodelled in the 17th and 18th centuries. Together, the surviving wall and the gate showcase different architectural traces of the town’s fortifications.

Park, trails and a lively tradition

If you would like to complement historic sightseeing with time outdoors, the city park offers a distinctive landscape. It covers 12 hectares, lies on hilly terrain and is designed in a naturalistic style. As a contrast to the buildings, the park offers a green perspective on Świdwin without requiring another focus on cultural history.

Two different cycling and hiking options are available for active exploration. The “Kocioł Świdwiński” is a hiking and cycling route that starts and ends in Świdwin. The Świdwin–Świdwin Osiedle cycle route connects the town with the residential estate near the air unit. Depending on your interests, you can choose a route that begins and ends in town or one that connects to this residential estate; no distance or duration is specified.

“Bitwa o krowę” is also part of local tradition. This recurring event takes place in Świdwin and Białogard in alternating years. The castle and historic buildings, the park and trails, and this tradition offer different ways to experience the destination. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you want your stay to focus mainly on history and culture or more on the landscape and outdoor activities.

More local pages

Discover more places: Kocury, Czarnkowie, Brusno, Redło, Brzeźno, Jastrzębniki, Slawoborze and Bad Polzin.

For the broader travel overview: Świdwin.