Szczecin Things to Do

4 more images

This would have to be high on the lists of "must sees" for visitors to Szczecin. Sited on a commanding position (originally strategic, no doubt) it is one of the landmarks of the City skyline, along with the huge Basilica (see seperate tip).

The first structure here was built in 1346 - 1347 by Duke Barnim III, one of the Pomeranian Dukes it is named for. Extended over the years by successive Dukes, it was completely rebuilt in the mid 16th century in Rennaissance style, and was much as we see it today. The depradations of World War 2 seriously damaged the structure of the building, and much rebuilding work had to be undertaken in the post-war period. Judging by the numbers of workmen I saw about the place, that work continues to this day.

The Castle is obviously the cultural centre of the City, housing the Opera House and the Museum of the Sargophagi and Art Gallery (see seperate tip) amongst other things. There is an open air arena in the central courtyard which has concerts in good weather.

The only thing that slightly detracts from this otherwise beautiful building is the unsightly graffiti on the exterior walls (see main photo) but I suppose that is an unfortunate fact of modern life.

Admission to the complex itself is free, although there are seperate charges for the Museum etc.

Standing in the same small park as the Flora statue (see seperate tip), this fountain marks the end of the pipeline bringing water from the hills around Warsaw to the city.

It was designed by Johann Heinrich Koehl and erected in 1732. i did attempt to find out more about Koehl, but there appears to be an unusual dearth of material on the internet regarding him. This may have been his finest hour!

the tourist information office is situated at the rear of the Pomerainian Dukes Castle. The staff are helpful and speak English. There are also a number of publications in English, German and Danish.

What you really should get is the guide to the City Tourist route (see seperate tips) which costs 4Zl. this really is indispensible, and is a great tool to help you get the most out of the city.

The website given is not the Tourist Information site per se, but it gives a lot of useful information on the city.

Everyday many people - locals and tourists visit the monument of the Pope John Paul II at Jasne Blonia. Like these school teenagers in the picture.

In the internet there is also a great collection of photos showing how people of Szczecin gathered at Jasne Blonia to pray for the Pope in April 2005 . Please follow the link below to see it.

The route leads the visitors through Szczecin to the most interesing sites of the city. The red line of the route has been painted on the pavements.
Check the link below and see the short description of interesting buildings and monuments.

At Jasne Blonia you can spend nice time taking a walk with your family or friends. You can see here a Monument to Polish Deeds which portrays three eagles ready to fly off, and built a few years ago a monument of the Pope John Paul II .

The Park Kasprowicza is a very peaceful, nice place full of old trees ,for instance the limes which smell wonderfully in June.
There is a summer theater - many performances of very different kinds of music take place here in spring and summer - the rock and pop stars, country bands, even a philharmonic orchestra.
There is also a small lake Rusalka, and a nice small bridge over it - the picturesque place for a romantic kiss.

4 more images

Finally in 2010 we got to go to Slavs & Vikings Festival in Wolin.
What a luck - it was raining all day - miserable.
We could only imagine how great this place must have been during a nice sunny day.

Enjoy my photos in this and next two albums.

Explore the world of Slavs and Vikings

4 more images

We all love fireworks, don't we? So, when August approaches, you should be ready to visit Szczecin to see a stunning firework show - "PyroMagic" Festival. Each year, during one of the Summer weekends, the international firework contest is organised at Waly Chrobrego (Chrobry Embankment) in Szczecin. The magnificent performances, accompanied with the electronic music concerts ("Music Wave" Festival), can be seen during these two evenings.

Simply wonderful!