Marienwerder: Cathedral, castle history and the Liwa
Accommodation in Marienwerder
Kwidzyn Castle has been temporarily closed to visitors since early September 2026. Anyone planning a trip to Marienwerder (Kwidzyn) should take this current notice into account while also getting to know the town’s other cultural and outdoor attractions. The town combines impressive brick architecture with regional history, paths along the Liwa, and activities centred on horse riding and kayaking.
The Cathedral and the Town’s History
Kwidzyn Cathedral was built between 1310 and 1360 as a Gothic brick pseudo-basilica. Inside is a mosaic dating from 1380, depicting Saint John the Evangelist and a kneeling bishop. The cathedral’s furnishings also include the crypt of the Grand Masters and the Chapel of Blessed Dorota of Mątowy. These details give the cathedral its own historical narrative, shaped by its architecture, artwork and named spaces.
The cathedral-and-castle complex was built in the mid-14th century. The castle includes the Gdanisko latrine tower, dating from 1384, which is described as unique on a European scale. The Fermor Palace is also part of Kwidzyn’s architectural history: it was built from 1758 to 1763 for the Russian governor, General Wilhelm Fermor. Those especially interested in the region’s development can find ethnographic collections on the material culture of Dolne Powiśle at the Castle Museum. The surviving fragments of the defensive walls can be seen along Gdańska Street, between Górna and Batalionów Chłopskich Streets.
Getting Around and Walking Routes
A walking tour of Kwidzyn begins at the railway station in the town centre, on Kościuszki Street. This is a specific landmark for visitors arriving by train or wishing to start their walk at the station. There are also riverside areas along the Liwa for walks, as well as sports fields and tennis courts. Those interested in outdoor exercise can distinguish between these riverside areas and marked trails: the green-marked Napoleonic Trail runs through Kwidzyn.
Two different starting points are also mentioned for cycling trips. One cycling route from Kwidzyn railway station leads to Mareza. The Dolina Dolnej Wisły cycling route also runs through Kwidzyn. These details describe different trip options, so you can choose based on your preferred route rather than treating them as one combined itinerary.
Horse Riding and Kayaking on the Liwa
The history of the Miłosna historic equestrian complex dates back to 1788. It offers horse-riding lessons for children, young people and adults, from their first encounter with a horse to riding in the countryside. The grounds also include two modern, safe playgrounds. An outdoor hippodrome complements the equestrian facilities, offering year-round opportunities for riding, training and sports preparation. Carriage, wagon and sleigh rides are also available. Miłosna therefore focuses on a range of equestrian sports and leisure activities, from lessons to excursions.
On the Liwa, you can also see the area from the water: a marked kayaking route follows the river as it flows through Kwidzyn and the surrounding area. One described route runs from Brokowo to Przystań Kwidzyn on Mickiewicz Street, next to the riverside recreation facilities. The “Przystań Kwidzyn” kayak rental offers numerous routes of varying difficulty. When choosing a trip, this distinction is more useful than a blanket classification of all the routes: the key is to find the route and difficulty level that suit your planned paddling trip.
For more pages about the area, you can also explore Rodowo, Sadlinki, Licze, Borowy MĹ‚yn, GrabĂłwko, Kwidzyn, Grodziec, Prabuty, Rodowo Male, Otoczyn, Ryjewo and Gardeja.
For the broader travel overview: Pomerania.
