Pölitz: Forest Trails and History

If you want to combine nature trails and history during a stay in Pölitz, the associated municipality of Police offers a range of points of interest. Forests and hiking routes sit alongside buildings, memorial sites and industrial ruins.

Forests, Birdlife and Routes

The Puszcza Wkrzańska is a large forest complex in the municipality of Police, crossed by numerous hiking trails. Birdlife is also a feature: 205 bird species were observed there over a period of more than a dozen years. White-tailed eagles and lesser spotted eagles, among others, breed there; red kites are frequently seen. The observations cover a longer period and are not a current count.

Several routes are easy to compare by length. The yellow hiking trail “Szlak Policki” starts at Police Rynek and runs via Trzeszczyn, the monument in Trzeszczyn, Stare Leśno, the Szczecin–Tanowo road and Bartoszewo. It is 11.6 kilometres long. A longer loop is “Dookoła gminy Police,” at about 48 kilometres: it runs via Police, Siedlice, Pilchowo, Tanowo, Witorza, Tatynia, Wieńkowo, Jasienica, Nowa Jasienica, Drogoradz, Uniemyśl and Trzebież, then returns to Police.

The route “Nad brzegi śródleśnych jezior” is about 58 kilometres long and runs from Police via Siedlice, Pilchowo, Lake Bartoszewo, Tanowo, Węgornik, Lake Świdwie, Zalesie, Lake Piaski, Lake Karpino and Trzebież, then returns to Police. “Szlakiem budownictwa ryglowego” connects Police with Tanowo, Tatynia, Jasienica, Niekłończyca and Trzebież over about 40 kilometres, before the route returns to Police. The distances provide a concrete comparison of route lengths; when planning, also take into account the route markings and conditions.

Architectural History and Memorial Sites

The neo-Gothic Church of St. Mary in Police was built at the end of the 19th century. Its tower is more than 60 metres high; the church is one of the town’s significant historic buildings and unofficial symbols. Staromiejski Park is also home to the Polickie Lapidarium, a museum of funerary sculpture that is also a memorial site. Its establishment began around the turn of 1997/98. It contains more than 120 restored cemetery elements from 24 pre-war German cemeteries.

The ruins of the Augustinian monastery in Police-Jasienica are the remains of a medieval monastery founded on the banks of the Gunica in the 14th century. The Gothic perimeter walls of the east and south wings survive up to the level of the first floor, along with basement rooms. Conservation work may affect access; take this into account when planning your visit.

Hydrierwerke Politz AG is part of the area’s industrial history. The plant was established on the basis of the smaller Norddeutsche Mineralölwerke GmbH, which regenerated partially unused ship fuel. Between 1939 and 1944, eight camps were established near the plant, where prisoners of war from across Europe were held. The plant was bombed repeatedly; the last air raid took place in February 1945, after which only ruins remained.

An educational hiking trail runs through the ruins and is maintained by the Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Ziemi Polickiej „SKARB” association. There is a shorter and a longer version. The association also leads tours of the site, introducing its history, myths and legends. If you are planning a guided tour, check the current date before travelling.

Environmental Education in the Surrounding Area

Near Pölitz, in Zalesie, you will find the Transboundary Centre for Environmental Education. It is located in the buffer zone of the Świdwie protected area, in the Puszcza Wkrzańska and next to the Trzebież Forest District. The centre is open to individual visitors on Saturdays, including families, adults accompanying children and adults. Visitors can see the Ecosystem Room, the Atmospheric Phenomena Room, the observation terrace and exhibits in the corridors. There is also a sensory garden and a playground on the grounds. Check the visitor arrangements before travelling.

The centre also offers activities on educational trails in nearby forests for hikers and cyclists. Participants are provided with basic field survey equipment. Alongside a visit to the indoor spaces, visitors can therefore choose nature-related activities, while the hiking routes in the municipality of Police offer a range of lengths and itineraries.

Discover more destinations: Wołczkowo, Kurów, Kołbaskowo, Brzózki, Przęsocin, Nowe Warpno, Tanowo, Police, Trzebież, Mierzyn, Dobra, Dołuje, Pilchowo, Bezrzecze.

View the broader travel overview: West Pomerania.