Places

As you approach the ruins of the ducal castle in Szadzko, think about its long and often mysterious history. The site of the castle has been a defensive position for centuries. In ancient times, the Slavic tribe of Pomeranians built a fortified settlement here. In the 14th Century, the Pomeranian dukes from the House of Griffins built the first castle. In the 15th Century, the castle belonged to castellan Heinrich von Borck. Old chronicles mention that in 1478, the Szadzko castle was captured by the Brandenburg troops, but was rebuilt by Duke Bogislaw X before the end of the 15th Century. However, in later years the castle was captured and devastated several times, first by the Brandenburgians and then by Swedes. It was abandoned in the 17th Century and eventually demolished in the 18th Century. The impressive foundation walls and the tall bulwark still make for a spectacular view, in particular against the backdrop of the nearby lake.