Stargard: Medieval City Walls and History
Accommodation in Stargard
City Walls and City History
St. Mary’s Church and the medieval city walls form a prominent historical focal point in Stargard. Both were recognized as a Monument of History by an ordinance of the President of the Republic of Poland dated September 17, 2010. The walls are among the few examples of medieval urban fortifications in West Pomerania that have survived almost along their entire length, with defensive gates and bastions. It is this combination of an extensive line of fortifications, gates, and bastions that makes the site a distinctive subject for exploring Stargard’s past.
File:Ratusz Miejski w Stargardzie - Nr rejestru zabytku A-1475+A1469.jpg
Photo: Małgorzata Jakubowska via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Exhibition and a June Weekend
A museum exhibition traces the city’s history from its founding in the 13th century to the beginning of the 18th century. Its historical scope therefore spans several centuries and complements the view of the surviving city fortifications with an account of the city’s history. Travelers with a particular interest in history can thus explore two different perspectives: the architectural remains and the historical context presented in the exhibition.
Since 2014, the Archaeological and Historical Museum has organized the historical festival “In the Land of the Griffin” as part of Stargard Days, in Piast Park near the bastion. The festival is considered an event for whole families, history enthusiasts, and people who want to spend an active weekend in June. Its theme therefore differs from a visit focused mainly on the city walls or the exhibition.
Exploring Stargard on Foot and by Bike
The “Stargard – Jewel of Pomerania” walking route passes through the Old Town and is about 3 kilometers long. It is described as a circular route; by contrast, the red cycling route “Through the Drumlins of Stargard Land” runs from Stargard via Lipnik, Zieleniewo, Morzyczyn, Grzędzice, Żarowo, Rogowo, and Lubowo, and back to Stargard. The two routes therefore differ in their focus: one explores the Old Town, while the other connects Stargard with a listed series of additional places. When planning, you can choose between a walk through the city and a cycling route with a specified itinerary.
The Landscape of Stargard Municipality
The municipality of Stargard encompasses a variety of landscapes: its western part belongs to the Pyrzyce Plain, and its eastern part to the Nowogard Plain. Lake Miedwie, one of Poland’s five largest lakes, lies in the western part of the municipality. In the east, the Ina River and its tributaries, the Krąpiel and Mała Ina, flow through the area. These geographical features relate to Stargard Municipality and complement the city-focused topics with a distinct perspective on the region.
A specific example of the municipality’s geology is the 4.7-hectare Ozy Kiczarowskie geological reserve. Established in 1962, it lies south of Kiczarowo on Road 149 between Stargard and Chociwel. This inanimate nature reserve includes glacial sands and gravels that form ridge-like ridges and elongated hills. Its size, location, and landforms give the site a different character from Stargard’s historic buildings.
Buildings in the Municipality
Other places in Stargard Municipality also offer specific points of interest for visitors interested in architecture and history. Barzkowice Palace is an eclectic 19th-century building, extended in 1911. Its architecture features Neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance motifs. Barzkowice also has a 12.7-hectare park with remarkable tulip trees. An avenue of lime trees and an avenue of elms are recognized as community natural monuments.
In Grzędzice, the wall paintings are among the most unique and oldest in West Pomerania. The Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Poczernin was built from fieldstones in the 15th century; its wooden tower cupola dates from 1850. Inside, the church preserves a late Gothic altar with a 16th-century crucifix, as well as three Gothic portals. These examples are located within the municipality and should be distinguished from the attractions within the city limits of Stargard.
Pęzino East of Stargard
About 13 kilometers east of Stargard lies Pęzino, at the confluence of the Pęzinka and the Krąpiel. Pęzino Castle is located there and is considered one of the best-preserved residential and defensive buildings in Pomerania. In its original form, it was built by the Knights Hospitaller around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. The location thus combines a clearly specified geographical setting with a building whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Insko, Dobrzany, Rekowo, Żukowo, Rogowo, Granica, Stargard Szczeciński, Morzyczyn, Chociwel, Koszewko, Oświno, Brudzewice and Sowno.
For the main travel overview: West Pomerania.
