A Castle Bearing Witness to a Long History

Świecie is one of the oldest Polish towns, standing out in the region for its long and distinguished history. The earliest written records date back to the 12th century and describe Świecie as the capital of the Duchy of Pomerania, ruled by Duke Grzymisław. The town later gained even greater importance after it was captured by the Teutonic Order, which established a komturia (commandery) there—an important administrative district.

In the 14th century, the Teutonic Knights built a Gothic castle, which changed hands several times during the Polish–Teutonic Wars. The castle was heavily damaged in the 17th century during the Swedish invasion, but preservation efforts undertaken in the 19th century helped save it for future generations. As a result, Świecie Castle remains one of the region’s most remarkable historic landmarks. In recent years, the local authorities have carried out extensive restoration work, and further conservation and development projects are planned.

Note: The original Polish text says “barokowy zamek” (“Baroque castle”), but this appears to be a factual error. Świecie Castle is a Gothic Teutonic castle built in the 14th century. The translation above reflects the historically accurate term.