Świecie (Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province)

State of preservation:		One, almost complete wing has remained of the stronghold
Admission:		The entrance to the castle is paid
Parking:		By the castle there is a free parking lot
Searching difficulty:		The castle can be found after short time of searching
Access difficulty:		The access to the castle from the parking lot is slightly hampered through the short climb up the earth slope
Subjective rating:		Lovely castle

Driving directions:

In Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province there are two places called Świecie, therefore you need to be careful not to go to the wrong place. The castle is in a town located 45 km on the north-east off Bydgoszcz, from where you drive up there down the road no 5. In Świecie you should head for the center and at the traffic lights turn right into the Mickiewicza Street. Then drive ahead all the time, as far as you drive through the bridge. From there the castle is visible from a distance on the left side (fig. no 1). Driving further, you ought to turn into the first street on the left. That street is on the sharp turn of the main road on the right and leads up to the castle.


Historical outline:

The former name: Schwetz

The Teutonic castle in Świecie arose in the years of 1335-1350 in the place of earlier building, which was the residence of the commandery since 1320. Thanks to its tremendous fortifications the stronghold was in the Order's hands till 1454. However, during the thirteen-years' war the castle was being alternatively conquered by Polish and Teutonic armies, which led to its serious destructions. Finally the stronghold became the property of Poland and since 1461 was the seat of the offices. In 1644 the castle burnt down and began to decay. It was still used as the seat of the offices till 1772, when the Prussian authorities ordered to disassemble it.
First preservative works were carried out in 1859, the subsequent ones in the interwar period, and after 1945 the castle was partly rebuilt. Then it acquired hideous, reinforced concrete covering instead of the roof. After this construction 'masterpiece' the works were ceased.


Pictures:




Nearest castles:

Papowo Biskupie