Old towns & squares

Market Square in Darłowo

The market square in Darłowo, today Kościuszko Square, is the heart of the old town on the Wieprza river — a few steps separate it from the Gothic St. Mary's church and from the castle of the Pomeranian Dukes, the only seaside Gothic castle in Poland, whose construction began in 1352 under Bogusław V.

A town hall that used to be a market hall

The town hall building itself is a former market hall: when a great fire destroyed the old town hall in 1722, trade and administration moved straight under these vaults. Above the entrance hangs a Renaissance portal rescued from the burned seat, with the city coat of arms — a griffin with a fish's tail — and a Latin inscription, the only historic accent of the modest interior.

The Fisherman monument from a family of shipowners

In front of the town hall stands the Fisherman Monument from 1919 — a fountain designed by the German artist Wilhelm Gross, raised in honour of people of the sea. The founders were the Heptenmacher family, one of the richest in town, owners of a fleet of sailing ships and merchant vessels significant in the Baltic.

In practice

The square is available around the clock, all year, and you can see all its monuments during a short walk. The first item on the agenda is the castle, remodelled in 1449–1459 by Eric of Pomerania on the model of the Danish Kronborg and housing a museum since 1930. After the visit, head to the seaside district of Darłówko, where the Wieprza flows into the Baltic.