Bytów: Castle, Museum and Nature

Castle and West Kashubian Museum

Bytów Castle was built between 1398 and 1405 on a rectangular ground plan. It is included in the Route of Gothic Castles, established in northern Poland. This also makes it possible to view the castle in the context of the route, without reducing it to the period in which it was built.

The West Kashubian Museum is located in the north wing. It presents ethnographic collections as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary painting, photography and folk art. Anyone interested in different forms of culture will find changing exhibition themes alongside the collections. The castle itself and the museum offer different points of interest: building history and architecture on the one hand, ethnographic collections and art on the other.

St Catherine’s Church: Building History and Exhibitions

St Catherine’s Church in Bytów was built from 1847 to 1854 to a design by Schindler. It was constructed as a three-aisled hall church modelled on Berlin’s St Matthew’s Church. These details give those interested in architecture specific points of reference for understanding the building’s period and design. Its furnishings include an organ from 1854 and two bells dating from 1820 to 1821.

The Gothic tower of St Catherine’s Church is considerably older: it dates from the first half of the 14th century. Its four levels feature permanent exhibitions on archaeology and history. The church therefore brings together two distinct historical periods: the medieval tower and the 19th-century church building. The permanent exhibitions complement the architectural perspective with themes in archaeology and history.

The railway bridge over the Boruja in Bytów is also part of local history: it is listed as a historic railway monument. Those interested in engineering and architectural heritage can consider it as a separate aspect of their trip.

Lake Jeleń and Canoeing on the Słupia

Lake Jeleń lies in the northern part of Bytów. It is a lobelia lake, used mainly for recreation and tourism. The lake thus adds a natural and recreational dimension to the city’s cultural focus. When planning your trip, you can weigh up whether you would like to focus mainly on historic sites and exhibitions, or also include this connection with the landscape.

Another way to enjoy the water can be found at Gołębia Góra on the Słupia between Bytów and Unichowo. The car park there serves as a canoe launch. It is also possible to set up camp and spend the night in tents. This is a different kind of stay from looking for a hotel: the option described is overnight accommodation in tents.

Other places: Lubon, Rekowo, Lakie, Parchowo, Przewoz, Miastko, Lipnica, Osieki, Borowy Mlyn, Bytów, Świelubie, Grabowo, Gołczewo, Borzytuchom, Świerzno, Czarna Dąbrówka, Frydrychowo, Studzienice, Kozy, Ugoszcz, Wojsk, Sominy, Kołczygłówki, Trzebiatkowa, Trzebielino, Świeszynko, Ciemno, Łupawsko, Kołczygłowy, Skwierawy, Tuchomie, Brzeźno Szlacheckie and Piaszczyna.

For the broader travel overview: Pomerania.