Szczecin Things to Do

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St. James' Archcathedral Basilica (by 1945 Jakobi-Kirche, between 1945 and 1972 st. James' Church, between 1972 and 1983 st. James' Cathedral, between 1983 and 1992 st. James' Cathedral Basilica) is the biggest church in Szczecin and the second tallest church in Poland (110-metre-tall tower). It is located on Św. Jakuba Street (by 1945 Jakobikirchhof).

The church was founded in 1187 by Beringer of Bamberg. The two-tower-basilican church, initially Romanesque, was being developed till the 14th century. Among the architects in charge, there was Heinrich Brunsberg.

In 1456, the Southern tower collapsed due to the hurricane, destroying part of the church. During the reconstruction (the architect in charge was Johann Benecke), completed in 1503, an one-tower-layout was implemented, also, the whole church was remodelled.

In 1677, during the war between Sweden and Prussia, the church was burned together with the Medieval spire on the tower. During the reconstruction, it was decorated in the Baroque manner.

In 1893, the complex renovation process was launched. Its part was the spire reconstruction financed by Karl Gerber. The first approach was a complete disaster - in 1894 whole construction was blown off during the windstorm. Finally, the renovation ended in 1901. The tower was 119-metre-tall then.

In the night between the 16th and 17th August 1944, during the air raid launched by the Allied Forces, the church was bombed. The damage level was gigantic: Northern wall completely demolished, tower structure broken, inside burnt down, spire destroyed. The Baroque organs, removed before the air raid, have never returned to Szczecin (and nobody knows what happened to them).

After the World War 2, the communist authorities were not willing to allow the reconstruction of the church. The building was saved thanks to the heritage conservator Stefan Kwilecki, who presented the cost calculation clearly showing that demolishing the church would cost much more than rebuilding it. As a result, in 1971 the reconstruction works, according to the project prepared by the architect Stanisław Latour, started. They took 3 years, until 1974. Due to the safety reasons they decided not to rebuild the spire on the damaged tower. It was crowned with the low, tent-shape roof, which caused the tower to be only about 60 metres tall. The Northern wall was rebuilt in the very controversial manner, it looks almost industrial. The monument of Carl Loewe, which, by 1944, was standing in front of the church, has not been redesigned.

Between 2006 and 2008, another renovation took place. The flooring and heating system were replaced, new organs were built and (after the tower structure had been strenghtened) the spire was redesigned.

In front of the cathedral, you will see the sculpture of Virgin Mary, made by Czesław Dźwigaj, and the "St. James" bell casted in 1681 by Laurentius Kökeritz.

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Wały Chrobrego (by 1945 Hakenterasse) was built between 1901 and 1921 in the area called the "Lower Wieck" (by 1945 Unterwieck), replacing the Leopold's Fort liquidated in 1873. Wały Chrobrego is the 500-metre-long terrace running along river Odra, built up with monumental buildings. This whole area is considered the life's work of Hermann Haken, the overmayor of Szczecin between 1878 and 1907. Willing to express their appreciation, the municipal council decided in 1903 that it should be called the "Haken's Terraces".

Both the terrace and the Marine Museum were designed by Wilhelm Meyer-Schwartau. The today's seat of the Voivodeship Office was designed by paul Kieschke, and the seat of the Marine Academy - by Emil Drews (the Southern building) and Richard Osterwold (the Northern building). Furthermore, at Wały Chrobrego you will also find two pavilions, the viewing terrace with the sculpture of the "Centaur Fighting the Lapith" by Ludwig Manzel, the spectacular fountain and monumental stairs. The side walls of the viewing terrace are decorated with the coats of arms of Pomeranian cities. By the fountain, there are two candelabra.

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The Rennaisance Castle of Dukes of Pomerania in Szczecin is one of the most precious historical buildings of Western Pomerania. It consists of 5 wings surrounding 2 courtyards (Mint and Tower Courtyard) and 4 towers (Bell Tower, Clock Tower, Prison Tower and a small tower facing the Tower Courtyard with the staircase inside). For 300 years it used to be the main seat of the duke's Griffith dynasty. Its construction was initiated by duke Barnim 3rd the Great, who erected the so called "stone house" at the Castle Hill. For ages the castle has been developed and remodelled. After the Griffith dynasty had died out in 1648, it became the seat of Swedish (and then German) administration. During then its original Rennaisance form was distorted when some Gothic-like elements had been added.

During World War 2, the castle was destroyed in 60%. During the reconstruction which took 22 years (between 1958 and 1980), the original Rennaisance shape of the castle was restored.

Nowadays the castle is the seat of cultural and self-governmental institutions. You will find there art galleries, museums, West Pomeranian Marshall Office, Centre of Tourist and Cultural Information, Opera house and restaurants.

Between 2006 and 2007 the facade of the castle was thoroughly renovated.

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Great thing to do while you are in Europe on vacation is to get haircut at the local place.
In Poland men's haircut can actually take an hour and it is very meticulous. Santo loves polish haircutters and loves their precision.
Here it is a nice place in Szczecin to trim your hair so you look good on your pictures.

Go to HESTA
the owner name is Henryka Krol.
Nobody speaks English, but they will do a good job, washing your hair, massaging your scalp and cutting.

Haircut is 14 zloty ...about $5 or 6.
Tip is not mandatory, however we always leave 3 or 5 zloty, because 14 zlotych for us is a real steal.

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We took that trip on a rainy day, and boy was I surprised.
I used to be on that train station almost every day as a high school student (comuting to school) but I had no idea what it hides behind the walls.
The german bomb shelter, the masterpiece that supposed to save german residents of Stettin from not only bombs but also biological weapons.
I strongly recomend that trip, it is only long 1 hour but the guide is fantastic and there are really interesting things to see.

English and German language tours available
Tickets about 20 zlotych per person or 40 zlotych per family (2+2)

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The Glebokie Lake can be a nice place for swimming and other water sports during summer. There is also a path around it for taking a walk or going by a bicycle. "Glebokie" in Polish means "deep". It's situated at Zegadlowicza Street 1 , at the end of Wojska Polskiego Avenue.

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The Glebokie Lake can be a nice place for swimming and other water sports during summer. There is also a path around it for taking a walk or going by a bicycle. "Glebokie" in Polish means "deep". It's situated at Zegadlowicza Street 1 , at the end of Wojska Polskiego Avenue.

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The Glebokie Lake can be a nice place for swimming and other water sports during summer. There is also a path around it for taking a walk or going by a bicycle. "Glebokie" in Polish means "deep". It's situated at Zegadlowicza Street 1 , at the end of Wojska Polskiego Avenue.