Darłowo: Harbour, Coast and Pomeranian History

Harbour, Lighthouse and Seafront Promenade

The lighthouse stands at the base of the eastern breakwater. Its light guides the way to the harbour and reaches almost 30 kilometres; the tower itself is 22 metres high. Its rectangular floor plan is also remarkable: it is the only lighthouse in Poland built on such a plan. In Darłówko Wschodnie, a two-level promenade runs along the top of the coastal breakwater. The lower walkway is 168 metres long, and the upper one is 156 metres long. These lengths help you understand the two levels and their extent.

The swing bridge over the Wieprza connects Darłówko Wschodnie and Darłówko Zachodnie. It is considered Poland’s only sliding bridge and one of three bridges of this type in Europe. The lighthouse, bridge and promenade show different sides of the coastal district: a harbour landmark, a crossing over the river and a path along the breakwater.

The Castle and Churches as Historic Destinations

The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes was built on an island between 1352 and 1372; its floor plan has largely survived to this day. The castle houses a museum with exhibits on interior furnishings, crafts, Pomeranian ethnography, sacred art and Eastern art. A multimedia exhibition focuses on the life and work of Erik of Pomerania and includes interactive games and a multimedia mirror. The castle currently hosts numerous temporary exhibitions. Alongside the building’s history, visitors can explore a range of collections and exhibition themes.

St Mary’s Church houses the Pomeranian Mausoleum, with sarcophagi of King Erik, Elisabeth, the wife of the last Pomeranian duke, and Jadwiga, a Pomeranian princess. The traditional year given for the start of construction of the church is 1321. St Gertrude’s Church offers a different architectural accent: the 15th-century building is designed in the Scandinavian Gothic style, with a hexagonal floor plan and a dodecagonal ambulatory. Its organs date from 1860. In addition to church services, they are played by Polish and international virtuosos at the organ festivals held each summer.

Literature, Cycling Routes and Nature

The literary trail “In the Footsteps of Tyrmand’s Heroes” leads from the railway station in Darłowo to the lighthouse in Darłówko. Eight sculptures recall Leopold Tyrmand’s connections with Darłowo. If you would rather explore a longer route than individual buildings, there is also the Medieval Monuments Trail, also known as the Cistercian Trail: it passes through eleven coastal towns, including Darłowo. The West Pomeranian section of the Velo Baltica cycle route also runs through the town.

The green Windmill Trail starts at the castle and then passes through Cisowo and along the southern shore of Lake Kopań. Another longer route is the blue Nature Reserve Trail: it begins in Darłówko, ends in Polanów and passes near the Janiewickie Bagno and Wieleń nature reserves. For a shorter nature walk, try the nature promenade on the western dune. It is about 600 metres long and offers views of the Baltic Sea and coastal flora.

Many fish species and ducks live in the water at Inkula Park, and occasionally swans do too; the protected yellow water-lily also grows there. The park includes a fenced dog exercise area with various pieces of equipment and facilities for training. Nature in Darłowo thus ranges from coastal flora and dune views to a park with its own dog exercise area.

For a wider choice of locations, you can also include Cisowo, Staniewice, Żukowo, Rusinowo, Gleznowo, Stary Jarosław, Ostrowiec and Borkowo in your search.

For the broader travel overview: Sławno.