Sitno

In Sitno, a circular cycling route, two nearby lakes and a distinctive village church come together. Which aspect of the place interests you most can shape the character of your trip: you can focus on the landscape, explore the history of the church or consider Sitno as part of a longer cycling tour.

Cycling beyond Sitno

The approximately 52 km “Zaczarowane pejzaże” cycling route passes through Szczecinek, Świątki, Sitno, Dziki, Turowo, Wilcze Laski, Kruszka, Lotyń, Drzewice, Wojnowo, Dębowo, Drawień, Żółtnica, Buczek and Czarnobór before returning to Szczecinek. Sitno is therefore part of a route that links several places and returns to its starting point in Szczecinek. The total distance of around 52 km is a useful guide when considering whether to combine your trip with an extended cycling route.

Close to the destination, at kilometre 6.2, the yellow-marked cycling route turns left towards Sitno at the edge of the “Dęby Wilczkowskie” nature reserve. The turn-off is beyond a stream that flows into Lake Wilczkowo. The surroundings can also be understood through individual landmarks along the cycling route: the description includes the route marking, its position at the edge of the nature reserve and the stream, not just the name Sitno.

Twin lakes at the foot of a moraine hill

Sitno lies at the foot of a moraine hill, near the twin lakes Rybna and Rokitna. Each lake is 0.5 km long and up to 0.3 km wide. Lake Rybna is at an elevation of 142.4 m above sea level and covers 10 ha; Lake Rokitna is at an elevation of 143.1 m above sea level and covers 9.5 ha. These figures allow a direct comparison of their size and elevation without treating the lakes as identical: their length and maximum width are given as the same, while their areas and elevations differ slightly. If you include Sitno in your travel plans for its scenery, you will find two clearly named bodies of water here rather than a generally described lake district.

Church history and furnishings

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was built in 1871 on the site of an earlier wooden church dating from 1580. Its building history thus links two different periods and types of building. The church interior is Neo-Gothic and hall-like in design, with a two-bay wooden ceiling. Its furnishings also reflect different styles: a Neo-Gothic pulpit, Neo-Baroque pews and an organ gallery have been preserved. The church also houses a bell cast in Bochum in 1873. Those interested in architectural history and religious art can discover different aspects of the place through these details.

Folklore and place names

The “Swojacy” folklore ensemble was founded in 2003 at the initiative of residents of Sitno. It takes part in various folklore competitions and showcases and represents the municipality in Poland and abroad, including in Belarus, Lithuania and Germany. The ensemble also organises the “Szczecineckie Spotkanie z Folklorem” folklore festival and the “Ludowy Przegląd Kolęd i Pastorałek” folk music competition. Along with the church, folklore is one of the cultural themes that distinguish Sitno; each of the events and competitions mentioned offers a different insight into the ensemble’s work.

Over time, Sitno was called “Kurdorf” and described as a spa resort. These names add another facet to the picture of the destination. When making your choice, you can therefore consider whether you would like to visit Sitno mainly for its lakes, the church, its folklore or as a stop along the cycling route.

More destinations: Drezno, Stare Wierzchowo, Spore, Lubowo, Pilawa, Sępolno Wielkie, Silnowo, Szczecinek.

For the main travel overview: Neustettin.