"Swidwin" Swidwin by evaanna

Swidwin Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 5 photos

Swidwin is a town in West Pomerania which we visited on our way to the ferry to Sweden in Swinoujscie. We had spent the previous night at my husband's uncle's country house in West Pomerania. Although our ferry was leaving late at night we said goodbye to the family in the early afternoon the next day and went sightseeing, visiting such places as Swidwin, Gryfice and Kamien Pomorski.
The first records of Swidwin date back to the 12th century, when it was already a fortified settlement situated along the trade route leading to the Baltic Sea at Kolobrzeg and Bialogard. The town got its charter in 1296 after the margraves of Brandenburg acquired the whole county of Swidwin from the bishops of Kamien Pomorski. The town changed hands a number of times. The property of the Wedel family, it was later handed over to the Teutonic Order and still later to the margraves of Brandenburg again. In 1402 the Polish king Wladyslaw Jagiello tried to purchase the land and make it part of Poland again, but failed. The town suffered severe damage during the Thirty Years War (1618 - 1648) and the subsequent wars, including WWII. It became part of Poland after the Second World War.
Swidwin has a number of interesting buildings, including the castle, fragments of old fortifications, the Stone Gate (Kamienna Brama), a Gothic church and many 18th and 19th century brick and half-timbered houses.
We didn't have time to see them all though, wanting to concentrate on Kamien Pomorski, of which we had heard a lot. But we did find the castle very interesting. See for yourselves.

Last visit to Swidwin: Aug 2005
Intro Updated Jun 15, 2007
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Swidwin Castle Things to Do (1)

The first fortified castle at Swidwin was built some time after 1280. The exact time is not known, nor is the name of... more travel advice

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Comments (8)

Nemorino Jan 8, 2012 at 9:13 AM Report Abuse

That’s an interesting castle with a long history. It’s good that they have now found multiple uses for the castle, as the local cultural centre, a concert hall, a small museum, a library and a pub.
HORSCHECK Jul 5, 2009 at 5:01 AM Report Abuse

Lovely little page about Swidwin.
JLBG Oct 19, 2008 at 11:42 AM Report Abuse

Nice castle !
christine.j Apr 5, 2008 at 9:22 AM Report Abuse

I hope we can go by car to Poland and visit Swidnin and Kamien Pomorski.By train it seems to be quite difficult.
craic Mar 11, 2008 at 5:50 AM Report Abuse

what a lovely little place
scottishvisitor Feb 24, 2007 at 9:12 AM Report Abuse

The castle & the tower look enchanting - glad they have stopped pouring tar from on high
matcrazy1 Feb 5, 2007 at 5:21 AM Report Abuse

Very good information.
uglyscot Jan 30, 2007 at 2:20 AM Report Abuse

Looks like an interesting place to visit and take the tour. The tower I'd give a miss though.