See other Polish Castles | Learn about Polish History
Pomeranian Duke's Castle
Before 1124 on the castle hill there was a Slavic burg city with the wooden manor-house of Wartislaw I. After relocating the capital of Duchy of Western Pomerania from Uznam to Szczecin by Barnim I the Duke in 1235, the manor was developed.
The beginnings of today’s castle date back to 1346 when Barnim III; breaking the privileges of Szczecin patricianship, started an erection of a so-called stone house on the castle hill. St. Otto’s Chapel and a so-called “big house” with a prison tower were built next to the stone house. In 1428 a revolt broke out in the town raised by the poor and craftsmen. In return for the revolt’s crashing, Casimir V the Duke received a considerable amount for developing and reinforcing the stone manor from the Town Council. After the fire in 1530 the castle’s rebuilding was started. It took 7 years and during that time the stone house was rebuilt to the Renaissance two-storey building with a ridge roof and a clock tower. An eastern wing was also added.
Between 1573 and 1582 John Frederick, the Duke rebuilt the castle generally. The stone house and St. Otto’s Chapel were demolished. A gothic southern wing was erected; the eastern wing was heightened; and a northern and a western wing was added so that a yard was closed. What is more, water pipeline was carried to the castle.
In the beginning of the 17th century, during the reign of Philip II and Francis (I), the two-storey fifth wing (currently a museum wing) was built behind the western wing, and in this way, the second, small yard was created.
After the dynasty of Griffins had died, since 1637 the castle was a seat of Swedish governor and since 1720 it was a seat of Prussian garrison. In 1752, Frederick the Great established a mint in the museum wing.
During Prussian reign the castle was rebuilt many times to adjust it to the garrison. Many decorations were removed. The most considerable castle devastation was made by the Prussian garrison in the 19th century when vaults of the eastern wing were destroyed, the southern wing was rebuilt completely, galleries were destroyed, and staircases, as well as, corridors were built inside the castle.
After the garrison left it in 1902 the castle went to rack and ruin gradually. Renovation works that aimed at restoring castle looks of former residence were taken up in 1925; still, these were ceased a year later. Despite many plans, German authorities did not start general renovation of the castle till the outbreak of the second world war. In 1944 the castle was seriously damaged during raids.
In 1946 protection of castle ruins was commenced and then; among others, the duke’s crypt was discovered. In 1948 archaeological works were started in the castle yard.
Between 1958 and 1980 the castle was reconstructed. The 16th century, Renaissance looks were restored.
Currently, there is Marshal Office of Western Pomeranian Voivodeship, Opera in the Castle of Szczecin, concert hall (Boguslav Hall), exhibition rooms, “Zamek” (Castle) cinema, Krypta (Crypt) Theatre, and Piwnica Przy Krypcie (Cellar near the Crypt) cabaret, wedding room of the Register Office, two restaurants, and a small museum. In the castle there is the majority of Szczecin temporary exhibitions, and in the yard, there are cultural events and concerts.
In the castle tower one can admire Foucault pendulum – empirical proof of the earth’s rotation.