Wolin: City History and Archaeological Traces

Museum and Early Settlement History

The Muzeum Regionalne im. Andrzeja Kaubego was founded in 1966 and is one of Wolin’s oldest cultural institutions. Its permanent exhibitions explore archaeological topics from Wolin’s heyday in the 9th to 11th centuries. They also cover the earliest settlement history of Wolin Island. This means that the museum presents both the beginnings of settlement and a later significant period.

A model shows Wolin around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It complements the archaeological topics with a view of the cityscape from a much more recent period. If you are interested in how a place has changed, you can compare these different perspectives across time.

Burial Ground and Trading District

The burial ground on Wzgórze Wisielców is one of the oldest early medieval necropolises in West Pomerania. At the end of the 19th century, 93 burial mounds were counted there; 34 have survived. The historical count and the number of surviving mounds together give an impression of the scale and preservation of this archaeological site.

Srebrne Wzgórze offers another picture of early Wolin. A large industrial and trading district was established there in the 9th century, fortified by a defensive rampart and equipped with its own port. Horn and amber processing were particularly well developed. Together, the port, fortifications, and crafts illustrate the district’s various functions.

A runestone is another of Wolin’s historical landmarks: it is dedicated to the Danish king Harald Bluetooth. Harald is credited with having ruled over Wolin and founded the fortified camp of Jomsborg, where a group of Vikings was stationed. This attributed connection is part of the historical interpretation recalled by the stone.

Buildings in the Cityscape

The town hall was built in 1881, after the old town hall on the market square had been demolished. The Neo-Gothic brick building can be recognized by a coat of arms and a clock face on its tower. Only fragments of the city walls, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, remain in the northeast of the city near Dworku Wolińskim.

Wolin’s Dutch-style windmill stands on the southwestern edge of the city. It was built in the second half of the 19th century, has three storeys, and is 14 meters high. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was used as an industrial mill.

Events and Practical Information

For three days during the Jarmark Wikinga, stalls, tents, and a large stage fill the Wolińskie Błonia in Wolin. The program includes demonstrations and concerts. Visitors can also sample medieval and contemporary baked goods there. If you would like to include the Jarmark in your travel plans, check the event dates in advance.

The swing bridge over the Dziwna is an important landmark for travel between Wolin Island and the mainland. It is one of five swing bridges in operation in Poland. When it is opened to allow ships through, road traffic is closed. Factor this possible interruption into your specific travel plans and check current traffic information.

The granary on the Dziwna, at the northeastern entrance to the city, has long been a popular subject on postcards of the city. It is inactive and privately owned. It can serve as a visual landmark for orientation, but it is not a visitor attraction.

At the municipal level, the western part of the Wolin municipality lies within Woliński National Park, which is located on Wolin Island. This connection with nature adds a broader geographical perspective to the view of the city’s history.

Discover more destinations: Łubczewo, Międzyzdroje, Świnoujście, Kamień Pomorski, Ładzin, Rabiąż, Stuchowo.

Go to the main travel overview: Kamień Pomorski.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Wolin (Wollin).