Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes - a

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

castle in the town of

Szczecinek Szczecinek (; ) is a historic city in Middle Pomerania, northwestern Poland, capital of Szczecinek County in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, with a population of more than 40,000 (2011). The town's total area is . The turbulent history of Szcze ...

, for the

Pomeranian Dukes This is a list of the duchies and dukes of Pomerania. Dukes of the Slavic Pomeranian tribes (All Pomerania) The lands of Pomerania were firstly ruled by local tribes, who settled in Pomerania around the 10th and 11th centuries. Non-dynastic ...

. The southern wing of the castle was built in the early fourteenth century, in the location of a former

Slavic Slavic, Slav or Slavonic may refer to: Peoples * Slavic peoples, an ethno-linguistic group living in Europe and Asia ** East Slavic peoples, eastern group of Slavic peoples ** South Slavic peoples, southern group of Slavic peoples ** West Slav ...

gord. Due to reconstructions in the sixteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries the castle has not kept its original characteristics. Formerly, the castle was located on an island in the Trzesiecko Lake, however after the lowering of the water (two land ameliorations had been made in the town in 1780 to 1784 and 1866 to 1868) the castle was located on a

peninsula A peninsula is a landform that extends from a mainland and is only connected to land on one side. Peninsulas exist on each continent. The largest peninsula in the world is the Arabian Peninsula. Etymology The word ''peninsula'' derives , . T ...

. In the footsteps of the castle is located the City Park which was founded between 1875 and 1903. After the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

the castle was used by the

army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

, later used as a recreational ground. In 1996, the castle was sold, and is currently used as an office, access to the

courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary a ...

is unavailable. In 2011, the castle had undergone a renovation, and its ceremony opening was September 14, 2013. The castle is the headquarters for the Castle Conference Centre (''Centrum Konferencyjne ZAMEK''), where there is space for 150 people, the castle also houses a gallery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecinek 15th-century fortifications Castles in West Pomeranian Voivodeship Szczecinek County