The Old Town's Urban Layout

In Czaplinek, the historic, 13th-century layout of the Old Town has survived to the present day. Its origins date back to the beginning of our era. At that time, the Goths inhabited the area, and the Slavs settled there after them. According to chronicles, in the 12th century, the local stronghold was burned down by Bolesław Krzywousty, and the surrounding lands were annexed to his duchy. The event that shaped the town’s current appearance was the arrival of the Knights of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (the Templars), brought there by Przemysław II, Duke of Greater Poland. This took place in the fall of 1286. Known for their entrepreneurial spirit, the Templars quickly transformed the modest fishing settlement into a thriving town known as the “Templar Town.” Around 1290, Czaplinek was granted town privileges. At that time, the distinctive grid of perpendicularly intersecting streets—still visible today—was laid out, along with a centrally located market square. The townspeople, who grew wealthy from the fairs held in the town, built stately houses, which, unfortunately, have not survived to the present day. In the 16th century, Czaplinek experienced its peak of development. Unfortunately, in the 16th century, the town was ravaged by massive fires, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, by the Thirty Years’ War and the Seven Years’ War. Although the town managed to recover each time, its energy was directed toward reconstruction rather than development. Consequently, Czaplinek did not play a leading role in the region’s history. The town’s status improved somewhat only after the railroad was extended to the town, the streets were paved, and the gas network was established. Unfortunately, as a result of World War II, Czaplinek was largely destroyed. The entire Old Town complex has been entered into the register of historic monuments.