Świdwin: Lakes, Nature and Medieval Traces
Accommodation in Świdwin
Świdwin combines the history of the town with landscapes and attractions in the municipality and nearby area. Gothic architecture and medieval traces shape the town’s cultural character, while around Lake Oparzno, the nature trail and lakeside scenery offer a different experience. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between these highlights: would you like to see historic buildings, explore the landscape or combine both?
Landscape, Lakes and Nature Trail
The Gmina Świdwin lies in the Rega Valley, in the central part of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, on the Łobez Upland and directly adjacent to the Drawsko Lake District. Forests cover 28 percent of its area. They follow the valleys of the Rega and Mołstowa rivers and are also scattered across the moraine upland. Lakes and ponds account for 1.7 percent of the municipality’s area and are considered attractive to anglers. The wet and alder carr forests in the damp hollows around Lakes Oparzno and Bystrzyno Wielkie, along with the peat bogs near Rusinowo and Klępczewo, show another aspect of this landscape.
Lake Oparzno, near Oparzno, is the largest lake in Gmina Świdwin. The “Jezioro czapli” nature trail runs along its shore: it is about 1.5 kilometres long and has seven information boards. One of them covers nesting grey herons and bitterns. In this way, the trail connects the lakeside landscape with specific topics relating to birdlife. Lakes Lekowo Duże and Lekowo Małe are also near Lekowo. Thanks to their abundant fish and the adjacent parkland and forests, they are considered attractive to anglers and tourists.
Town History and Architecture
In Świdwin, St Mary’s Church is one of the town’s most significant Gothic monuments. The Stone Gate also recalls the town’s medieval history: the von Wedel family built it in the mid-14th century as one of two entrance gates to Świdwin. A 14-metre section of the town walls survives beside the Rega. Fieldstones and medieval brickwork in the so-called Wendish bond characterise this remnant. The origins of Świdwin Castle date back to the late 13th century.
Visitors interested in older religious buildings will find further examples in the municipality. In Oparzno, seven kilometres west of Świdwin, there is a masonry church dating from 1729; its churchyard was laid out in the early 18th century. It also contains a naturalistic-eclectic park dating from 1870. In Lekowo, a half-timbered church dating from 1751 brings together furnishings from different periods. These include a triptych of Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child, dated to 1500; a Baroque chandelier from the 18th century; a Renaissance baptismal font; and patronal pews from the mid-17th century.
Routes, Regional Orientation and Special Stories
The black-marked “Szlak Dziedzictwa Techniki i Architektury” (Trail of Technical and Architectural Heritage) passes through the municipalities of Świdwin and Brzeżno. Within Świdwin County, it is 12.7 kilometres long in total. Another hiking trail leads to the main sites of the battles between the 1st Polish Army and German units from 4 to 7 March 1945. It passes through the town of Świdwin and the municipalities of Świdwin, Ostrowice and Brzeżno.
The region also offers opportunities for canoeing: in Świdwin County, the Rega, Dębica and Mołstowa rivers are considered attractive waterways for canoeists. A 147-kilometre lowland canoe route also starts in Cieszeniewo. As a point of reference for travel beyond the region, an important railway line connecting Szczecin (Stettin) with Gdańsk (Danzig) runs through the county.
Another historical trace leads to the area around Rusinowo. A fragment of elk antler decorated with zigzag incisions and anthropomorphic figures was found there. It is dated to approximately 12,900–12,700 years ago and is described as one of the oldest and most valuable prehistoric artworks discovered in Poland. In Świdwin, a mural by Franciszek Starowieyski was also created on 27 August 1980, when the artist visited young artists at a workshop.
Traditions and regional cuisine are also part of the area’s stories. The annual “Bitwa o krowę” (“Battle for the Cow”) takes place alternately in Świdwin and Białogard; check the announced dates for your travel period. At the 2014 “V Rusinowskie Lato z Folklorem” event, participants were able to try Rusinowo potato doughnuts and Rusinowo bread made by local residents. This offers a historical glimpse of a festival held at that time.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Brusno, Slawoborze, Bad Polzin, Kocury, Jastrzębniki, Świdwin, Czarnkowie, Slawa, Brzeźno, Redło, Lipie.
For the main travel overview: West Pomerania.
