The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecin

The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecin
 
The Renaissance Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecin, situated on a hill near the Oder River, is one of the most important historical monuments in Western Pomerania. In the past, it served as the residence of the House of Griffins—the dynasty that ruled the Duchy of Pomerania from the 12th century until 1637. 
 
The monument’s current appearance reflects its turbulent history. Towering over the five-winged building with its two courtyards—the Great Courtyard and the Mint Courtyard—are the Bell Tower, the Prison Tower, and the Clock Tower. The castle’s facades are adorned with late-Gothic tracery and Renaissance attics. Notable features include: a Baroque clock with a gargoyle and a jester figure; memorial plaques for Barnim III and Barnim XI, Philip II, and Francis I; and a statue of Bishop Otto of Bamberg. Inside the castle, visitors will find, among other things, the Witches’ Cell—featuring replicas of instruments of punishment and torture—dedicated to Sydonia von Borck, who was executed after being accused of witchcraft, as well as the Study of Lubinus, an outstanding 17th-century cartographer, containing a valuable copy of his “Great Map of the Duchy of Pomerania” (reopening following the completion of a major renovation of the castle grounds). A particularly notable site is the Gryfit Crypt, containing the sarcophagi of the former rulers of the Duchy. On the roof of the North Wing is the Ducal Terrace, which—like the Bell Tower, the castle’s highest vantage point—offers an impressive view of Szczecin.
 
The historic site is managed by a local government institution based within it, called the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecin, one of the largest cultural institutions in Western Pomerania. It operates its own exhibition galleries, the Zamek Cinema, the Piwnica Theater at the Crypt, and the Cultural and Tourist Information Center (CIKiT), and organizes numerous cultural events: exhibitions, concerts, meetings and educational activities, workshops, conferences, lectures, and popular outdoor events, such as the annual Griffin Festival with a Knights’ Tournament or Kupala Night. 
 
The Marshal’s Office of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Opera at the Castle are also headquartered in the castle.
 
The castle is easily accessible from the main PKP and PKS stations not only by public transportation but also on foot.
 
For more information, visit zamek.szczecin.pl or follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/zamek.szczecin.