Things to see and do Pomerania

Built in 1612-1614 by architect Jan Strakowski to a design by Abraham Van Den Blocke in Renaissance style, it is surmounted by eight sculptures representing allegories of civic virtues (Prudence, Piety, Liberty, Unity, Peace, Justice, Glory and Concord). A rare feature in a city that has erased its German history, an original inscription on the door was restored in the 1990s. It reads: "Prosper only those who are in love. May peace be within your walls, and prosperity in your palaces

The starting point of the Voie Royale, this powerful fortified gateway was built in the ^16th century and once marked the official entrance to the town. It was an outpost of the medieval fortifications. On the east side, the coat of arms of the Hohenzollern family, added in 1884. On the west side are the coats of arms of Gdańsk (two lions), the Polish aristocracy (the arms of Ciołek) and Prussia. Today, it houses Pomerania's regional tourist information office.

It is located at the entrance to the port of Kołobrzeg, and stands on the right bank of Parsęta. The history of the lighthouse dates back to the ^17th century. During the Second World War, it was destroyed as an ideal landmark for Soviet artillery in battle. After the war, construction began on a new lighthouse not far from the previous one, using the foundations of the fort's buildings. The lighthouse is now 26 m high, with a 29.6 km beam of light, lit in fog and snowstorms.

The Golden House or Speymannhaus was built in the early ^17th century by architect Abraham Van Den Blocke for a wealthy Hanse merchant. The façade of this beautiful house attracts attention with its rich ornamentation. It features twelve friezes created between 1609 and 1618, separated at each cornice by four busts, including those of Polish kings Ladislas Jagellon and Sigismund III Vasa. At the top, the balustrade is surmounted by statues of ancient figures: Cleopatra, Oedipus, Achilles and Antigone.

Located in the noblest part of Gdańsk - the Long Market, at the entrance to the Artus courtyard - it was designed by Flemish architect Abraham Van Der Block. Construction began in 1606 on the initiative of Mayor Bartłomiej Schachmann and the local authorities, and was completed twenty-seven years later, in 1633. It represents Neptune, symbolizing Gdańsk's relationship with the sea. Legend has it that it was in this fountain, at the end of Neptune's trident, that Goldwasser vodka with 22-carat gold leaf was born!

The center's staff will be delighted to provide information on the main attractions in and around the city. They will also help you find accommodation if required and certified guides to organize your visits. The center offers tourist brochures and free Internet access. Luggage storage is also available during opening hours. Please note that this service is subject to a charge, but is still more than affordable.

Built in 1905 in neo-Gothic style, this impressive structure once served as a water tower, providing the town with its water supply. Built of brick and set on a raised octagonal plinth, it's a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture that dominates the town and almost seems to date back to the castle's earliest years. By the way, you can visit it: by that I mean you can climb its steps to enjoy a superb view of the town, new, old and the superb medieval castle.

The Old Town of Bydgoszcz, founded in the early 15th century, has retained its medieval elliptical shape despite the damage inflicted by the Swedish invasion in the 17th century. The pedestrian street ul. Długa is the town's main thoroughfare, offering a charming mix of stores and bars. In the 19th century, the city was renovated by eminent German architects, earning it the nickname "Kleine Berlin" (Little Berlin). Don't miss the covered market on ul. Magdzinskiego, which can be visited in an hour and a half.

You find beautiful objects carved in this semi-precious stone and the largest piece in the raw state weighing 2,3 kg. This amber collection is the most impressive of the

world.

You can access the summit and have a very nice view of the whole site and the campaign around. You realize that the knights could see the enemy coming from a distance so far the landscape is flat in that region of Poméranie.

The Kashubian Ethnographic Park is located 70 km from Gdańsk and is easily reached by bus. This park-museum, also known as the Kashubian park-museum, is Poland's oldest open-air museum. It boasts an extraordinary collection of some forty buildings dating from the ^18th to the early ^20th century, spread over 22 hectares of lush vegetation on the edge of a large lake. It's the ideal place to familiarize yourself with local Kashubian culture.

Located on the banks of the River Brda in the Old Town, these grain silos are a symbol of the city and its commercial past. Due to their serious deterioration, renovation work began in 1993, and was finally completed in 2006. Today, they house the History Department, the Graphic Art Department, the Ethnography Department and the Music Department, as well as a fine regional museum dedicated to the city and its history.

In this large enclosure in the middle of a nature park, you can see European bison, which in Pomerania disappeared in the 14th century. In 1976, four bison were brought here from Podlaskie, where they still live in the wild, in order to restore the bison population on the island of Wolin. Since then, all the bison present in Wolin were born here (about a dozen). There are also sick deer, wild boar and eagles that are treated by the reserve staff and then released. Access is by foot only (about 1,300 m).

The tourist office is the first place to go when visiting Tuchola. You'll find all the information you need on tourist attractions in Tuchola, the surrounding area and the region, as well as advice on activities and events not to be missed. The office staff will be delighted to welcome you, all in English, to give you all the information you need. If you're looking for accommodation in the town of Tuchola, you'll also find directions at the office.

Brochures on the castle in several languages, english-speaking professional welcome.

Tours for individuals or groups of the castles and town of Malbork, the Żuławy region of Poméranie and the. region. In French.

This imposing gateway, obviously remodeled to meet today's needs, was built in brick in the second half of the ^14th century. The gate was part of the city's defensive wall and has five storeys and a four-sided mosaic roof. In front of the building stands a metal model of pre-war Marienburg. The tower is now occupied by a jeweller's shop, a role quite different from the original one, but one that breathes a little life into a medieval ruin. The products sold make nice, inexpensive gifts.

Nestled within Hel's oldest Gothic church, the museum is housed in a magnificent red-brick structure. Its exhibition traces the evolution of the links between man, fishing and the sea. Visitors explore ancient artifacts, period photographs and illustrations depicting regional history. Outside, a small open-air museum displays a variety of fishing boats. The observation tower offers a breathtaking view of the bay and town.

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It was rebuilt between 1567 and 1572 in Renaissance style on a ^12th-century Gothic base. In 1595, the tower was added, followed by a clock. On its southwest façade, you can still see the pręt chełminski, 4.35 m long, the town's unit of measurement from the Middle Ages until the ^19th century. Today, it houses a small regional museum(Muzeum Ziemi Chelminskiej). On display are a jumble of ancient crafts and modern art. The exhibition itself is modest, but the rooms are superb, so the museum is a good pretext.

This rare surviving example of authentic city architecture is a former hospital of the Teutonic Order. It was saved from collapse thanks to the efforts of the local authorities, and the support of a German foundation which financed the work. Dating from the late ^13th century, in the pure tradition of medieval religious orders, it was a hospital for the sick and elderly. Today, it houses a cultural center.

One of the most impressive monuments in Chełmno's landscape, these authentic ramparts stretch for just over 2 km (2,270 m) and are a pleasant walk with great views of the city and its surroundings. The fortifications were built in the 13th-14th centuries to replace the old wooden walls. Originally with 25 towers, 17 of them are still perfectly preserved. Finish by walking down the hill to the edge of the Vistula River. The main entrance to the city was through Grudziądzka Street.

Chełmińska Informacja Turystyczna is the tourist office for the town of Chełmno. The office offers guided tours of the city in Polish and other languages, with prices varying according to the length of the visit. It also provides information on cultural events, restaurants, accommodation, as well as outdoor activities such as horse riding, fishing, sailing, kayaking, cycling and hiking trails.

It marks the entrance to the old town. It dates from the 14th century. Around 1620, a Dutch Renaissance chapel with a beautiful pietà was added to it. The gate originally existed as a tower with adjacent defensive walls on both sides (in its side walls you can still see traces of passages to guard porches). There was once a municipal prison here. In 1694, a Renaissance chapel was built, thanks to which the gate avoided demolition in the 19th century.

Not far from the Mill Island, at the Jerzy Sulima-Kamiński Bridge, you can admire the famous sculpture The Man Crossing the River. This work by Jerzy Kędziora was installed in 2004 to commemorate Poland's entry into the European Union. The idea to place the sculpture on the Brda River came from the vice president of Bydgoszcz, Maciej Obremski. The sculpture shows a young man with a loincloth walking on a rope stretched over the river. This sculpture is far from unique in the Polish cityscape, and is a testament to the popularity of its author, who has managed to get himself commissioned in most of Poland's historic centers, for example Lublin and Krakow. In one hand he holds a pole, in the other an arrow, and on his shoulder he wears Roman sandals, the same as The Archer (Łuczniczki) of Bydgoszcz, another iconic sculpture of the city. Under the rope is a swallow. The figure is made of resin composites with brass dust. The height of the figure is 2.2 m, the weight is 50 kg. The pole is 6 m long and the rope is over 100 m long. The figure maintains its vertical position because the center of gravity of the figure is under the rope from which it is suspended. Thus the sculpture maintains its balance.

The young man represents the admirer of the beautiful archer, who carries the arrow released by the bronze beauty across the river.

Bydgoszcz has a tourist office called the Bydgoszcz Information Center. Visitors can obtain information on the city's and the region's tourist attractions, upcoming events and available accommodation. Bydgoszcz offers many tourist attractions, such as the Wyspa Młyńska or the Katedra Bydgoska. Visitors can also enjoy the city's beautiful architecture and museums.

Located on the surprising Windmill Island, this atypical museum houses the world's largest collection of contemporary Polish art, with a large section also dedicated to modern art. All the greatest Polish artists are represented: from Witkiewicz to Kantor, from Hasior to Nowosielski. It is part of the Leon Wyczółkowski district museum complex. An essential stopover when visiting the museums on Windmill Island, we recommend it!

Nicknamed the "Red Granary", this former medieval residence belonged to the Esken family in the ^mid-15th century. At the end of the 16th century, it was modified and transformed into a Renaissance palace. At the end of the ^19th century, it became a granary, then a reserve for the Prussian army. Today, it houses the history and archaeology department of the Regional Museum. There's an exhibition on life in Toruń from prehistory to the Middle Ages, and a display tracing the various stages of German rule in the ^19th century.

This is one of Toruń's most beautiful houses, where, in the late ^15th century, Filippo Buonacorsi, tutor to the sons of King Casimir Jagiellon, lived. When it was restored in the ^17th century, it lost its original Gothic appearance and became the Baroque edifice with a richly decorated facade featuring floral motifs that we see today. Today, it houses a fine little museum of Far Eastern art, whose collections include Japanese prints and ceramics, Chinese porcelain and paintings.

Built in 1253 on the banks of the Vistula, it was the seat of the Teutonic authority. Today, only the ruins remain, spread over a rather suggestive green space, enclosed by the old ramparts. However, the pits and the lower part of the castle are still preserved. They are located at the base of a large octagonal tower, which gives a good idea of the imposing old brick fortress. The best preserved part is the Gdanisko tower, which was originally used as a latrine and is accessed through a suspended gallery. Sometimes cultural events are held in the cellars, which are still in good condition. From the system of walls that surrounded the city in the Middle Ages, fragments remain along the Vistula River. This system included nine gates, of which only three remain. The Monastery Gate (Brama Klasztorna), built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, takes its name from the Benedictine monastery that was located here. The Bridge Gate (Brama Mostowa) was built in 1432. Previously, there was a bridge in front of the gate that connected the two banks of the Vistula, hence the name. The Sailors' Tower was built in the mid-14th century of red brick, which is typical of Toruń architecture. It is located at the end of Żeglarska Street, which leads to the banks of the Vistula River, where before there was the port. In addition to its defensive role, it was in this tower that Polish kings visiting the city were welcomed.

This imposing statue was installed in 1853, almost two centuries ago. This work of art cast in bronze was made by the German sculptor Fryderyk Abraham Tieck. On its pedestal is the Latin inscription "Nicolaus Copernicus of Toruń stopped the Sun and the Sky and set the Earth in motion," a famous phrase that reminds us of the scholar's contributions to modern science. Today the statue is the classic meeting place of the people of Toruń.

Erected in the ^14th century, the Penchée tower takes its name from its almost 1.50 m inclination, visible to the naked eye. Built in the ^14th century, it was originally used as a defensive wall for the town. In the ^18th century, it lost this function and became a women's dungeon. In the ^19th century, it was used as a forge and apartments for gunsmiths. Its subsidence is due to the weight of its weight on the sandy soil, although some see it as divine punishment inflicted on the city of Copernicus, the astronomer with heretical theories.

Installed in one of the three old gas tanks from 1860-1890, built in the city center, it opened its doors on February 18, 1994, for the 521st anniversary of Copernicus' birth. It can accommodate 150 people. Under a dome of 15 meters in diameter are projected documentary films on the universe and astronomy. It has a brand new interactive installation, the Mars Base, which is very modern and fun to learn about the challenges of space colonization, but is for now only in Polish.

A gourmet journey through a ^16th-century gingerbread(pierniki) production workshop. After unveiling the secrets and history of gingerbread, the MUSEUM's master pastry chefs will help you make your own gingerbread, which you'll take home after baking in the MUSEUM's own oven, according to your preferred mold. An unmissable visit to the gingerbread capital, and a must for those traveling with children. The MUSEUM regularly organizes workshops in English, so we recommend you make a reservation by e-mail.

This vast building in Flemish Renaissance style is located between Długa and Długi Targ streets. Originally built in the ^14th century in Gothic style, it was gradually transformed, particularly after the fire of October 1556, into a unique construction. Its tower is topped by a long golden spire with a statue of King Sigismund II Augustus. Completely destroyed in 1945, it now houses the main part of the city's Historical Museum. Here, in superb interiors designed by leading Polish and Flemish artists, you'll find an exhibition on the fascinating history of this thousand-year-old city. Its ceremonial halls are especially worth a visit for their frescoes. Notably, in an oval in the center of the ceiling of the great Council Chamber (Wielka Sala Rady), you can admire the superb fresco of Gdańsk's Apotheosis (1608). Hidden during the war, it depicts the city of Gdańsk atop a monumental triumphal arch. The Creator's right hand grasps the spire of the city hall tower, to symbolize the divine presence, embodied on earth by the city council. The headwaters of the Vistula appear alongside the Tatras, Krakow's Wawel Castle and the fortress of Wisłoujście on the Baltic. Below, the river bathes the Long Market street where, in front of the Artus courtyard are gathered members of the various communities that once made up the city. In summer, you can climb to the top of the tower.

Housed in a castle dating back to the ^16th century, it exhibits both ancient and more recent objects significant to the society and art of this region. Among the exhibits are tin sarcophagi from the Dukes of Pomerania, and Poland's largest collection of works by Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz, known as Witkacy. Not far from the museum, you'll discover the Mill, now an annex, with its two permanent exhibitions on Pomeranian culture. The White Granary also houses other museum exhibitions.

Built between 1309 and 1350, under the administration of the Teutonic Order at the time of the city's foundation, this church consists of a central nave of 21 m twice as high as the two on the sides. At the end of the right nave is a Gothic crucifix called "Christ at the Tree of Life", inherited from a Dominican church, and in the chancel is an 18th century Baroque altar. The church is dominated by a double-roofed bell tower. The church is one of the most important examples of brick architecture in the Baltic Sea basin.

Built between 1889 and 1891, this beautiful Renaissance-style building is now the city's cultural center. It hosts all kinds of events, including numerous concerts, recitals and shows. It occupies the site of a building destroyed in the early 19th century where in 1466 the Treaty of Toruń was signed, which marked the end of the war with the Teutonic Knights. Inside, you can admire the harmonious mixture of old and contemporary. The decoration is superb, do not hesitate to look up to admire the beauty of the ceilings.

Built at the end of the 14th century by order of Franciscan, this imposing red brick church is austere view from the outside but beautifully decorated inside frescoes and long stained-glass windows. In particular, the three naves are frescoes from the 14th century on the life of Christ. The vaults, in star, are decorated with floral motifs. The church houses the baroque mausoleum of the Swedish princess Anna Vasa, sister of king Sigismund III.

Built in the early ^13th century, it is one of the oldest Gothic churches in the region, and the town's largest religious edifice. It dominates the landscape with its 52-metre bell tower, built in 1433. It houses the second-largest bell in Poland, after Wawel. Cast in 1500, the bell is called Tuba dei, "trumpet of God", and measures 217 cm in diameter, weighing 7.2 tons. The Protestants took over the building in 1530.

Ustka's tourist information center is the ideal place to plan your trip to the town and region. You'll find a wealth of useful information on accommodation, restaurants, leisure, culture, art and sports centers, museums and the main tourist attractions to visit. In fact, the website is already very well-stocked, should you wish to consult it in advance of your trip. The office is located in a building suitable for people with reduced mobility. Families are welcome!

This tourist center offers a wide range of services and information. You'll find a wealth of brochures and maps. Of course, thanks to the professional team on hand, you'll also benefit from personalized advice on local attractions, accommodation and events. The center's staff will be delighted to help you discover all that Kołobrzeg and its region have to offer as a tourist destination.

These former Haken terraces offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Oder. Following the demolition of Stettin's fortifications, begun in 1873, the city's mayor, Hermann Haken, decided to build a panoramic terrace overlooking the Oder in 1902-1905, on the site of the former Fort Leopold. Two wide staircases lead up to both sides of the terrace. After the city was transferred to Poland at the end of the Second World War, the observation platform was renamed in honor of Bolesław ^I the Brave, in Polish Bolesław Chrobry.

In 1941, in the German city of Stettin, shelters for civilians were created using old ^19th-century catacombs. The refuge was organized on five levels with a maximum depth of 17 m. After the war, the refuge was adapted in case of nuclear attack. Today, these underground passages can be visited. Three itineraries are available (each taking around an hour), as well as permanent exhibitions.

This vast complex, built in the 14th century, is built around a pleasant central courtyard. It was seriously damaged during the Second World War, but rebuilt as it was in the 16th century, in its Renaissance style. You can climb to the top of the tower which offers beautiful views. In the courtyard, a beautiful clock. In one of the wings of the site is the castle museum which preserves the main furniture and objects that belonged to the dukes.

In 1187, on a hill outside Szczecin's city walls, the Church of St. James was consecrated, founded by a wealthy bourgeois from Bamberg. This vast brick church was completely destroyed by the war, but rebuilt from the outside. Post-World War II reconstruction continued from 1945 to 1972. Prior to this, the building had already undergone a period of restoration in the ^16th century. From the top of the tower, a magnificent panorama of the city opens up. The interior features many contemporary artifacts.

The church of St. John is a beautiful Gothic church of the 15th century, with a sober and slender interior. It is the oldest church in the city. Originally a Franciscan monastic complex, during the Reformation the monks left the monastery and the parishioners and clergy mostly accepted Luther's reforms. From that time until 1945, the church was an evangelical temple, with a short stint under the communist regime where it was a warehouse.

Built between 1725 and 1727, it is one of the city's few Prussian Classicist monuments. It goes hand in hand with the Port Gate. It features war trophies, Mars as an allegory of war and Hercules as an allegory of heroism. The initials of King Frederick William ^I can be seen in a cartouche with the Prussian eagle. The laurel wreath symbolizes triumph; the shield, honor; the palm leaves, virtue; and the olive leaves, peace. Today, there's a café in the doorway.

At the confluence of the Brda River and the Bydgoszcz Canal, in the heart of the city, lies the tiny Ile aux Moulins. Built between 1773 and 1774, the Bydgoszcz Canal provides a waterway link to Berlin. The canal was built by some 6,000 German and Czech workers, a third of whom died of dysentery. Despite its sinister past, Windmill Island today is a haven of peace and greenery, preserving its red-brick buildings and old mills, which have been converted into museums (notably the Regional Museum).

Opened in 1857, at 68 m it is the highest lighthouse in the Baltic. You have to climb 308 steps to reach the viewing terrace, but the panorama is breathtaking. The lighthouse was damaged during the Second World War, after Nazi troops ordered its destruction. But the lighthouse keeper, a German, was not to be denied. The damage was not repaired until 1959. It was restored again between 1998 and 2000. It was opened to the public in 2000, with a museum in the janitor's house.

This place can amuse the curious and interest the passionate, who will find a wealth of references to fishing and the marine environment. The museum is housed in the Town Hall building, Świnoujście's oldest, dating from 1804-1806. It's an interesting educational venue for children and adults alike, featuring live specimens (e.g. piranhas or turtles) and inert ones (fossils, amber), as well as exhibitions on the history of Świnoujście, but also on the history of fishing in general.