The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo is one of the town’s attractions that is hard to miss when travelling along the north-western coast of Poland during the summer.
Darowo Castle is special not only because of its Gothic architecture and its tower, which offers a wonderful view of the town and the Wieprza River flowing right beside it. Above all, it is the only baroque seaside castle in Poland, located so close to the coast. In a straight line, it is less than 3 kilometres away. In the article below, you will find a handful of interesting facts about the castle and its owners, and you will also learn whether it is worth spending a few hours exploring the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo.
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo – practical information
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo can be visited during summer every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the ticket office open until 5:00 p.m. Outside summer, the museum at the castle is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (the ticket office closes at 3:00 p.m.).
Unfortunately, the museum at Darłowo Castle is closed to visitors during almost all public holidays, as well as for other unpredictable reasons. Therefore, before packing your bags and setting off, it is worth checking the information on the castle’s official website.
- On the day we visited the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo, ticket prices were as follows:
- Castle chambers: PLN 28.00, concession PLN 25.00
- Castle tower: PLN 13.00, concession PLN 10.00
- The Torture Chamber exhibition in the castle basements: PLN 21.00, concession PLN 18.00
- Children under the age of 6 may enter the castle free of charge.
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo can also be visited with a guide, whose services cost PLN 160. In addition, the castle hosts various special events, workshops, and museum lessons for children and young people. Details can be found on the official castle website.
An interesting fact is that the castle can be hired for private events. It is not cheap, but just imagine an engagement or a wedding ceremony held in the castle chapel or the Knights’ Hall.
The castle stands on an artificial island between the Wieprza River and the Mill Canal. The address of the castle is: Zamkowa 4, 76-150 Darłowo, Poland.
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo and its history
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo is a rather mysterious structure, as no documents or historical sources describing its early history have been discovered so far. Everything we know about the past of these old walls comes from archaeological research and information related to the people who once lived here. The stronghold was built during the reign of the House of Griffins (Gryfitowie), the dynasty of Pomeranian dukes who ruled Western Pomerania from the 12th to the 17th century. The name of the dynasty comes from the griffin featured on their coat of arms.
The castle was built over a period of 20 years, and once construction was completed, it proved so impressive and grand compared to other castles in the region that it was granted the status of a ducal residence. As was often the case, the building was repeatedly rebuilt and modernised in line with contemporary requirements and doctrines. The oldest Gothic part of the castle has a square plan, with additional wings later added to its eastern and western sides. An important element of the fortress is the defensive tower rising to a height of 23 metres, which, together with the 14-metre-high defensive walls and a drawbridge, formed a strong line of fortifications.
At the time when the expansion of Darłowo Castle was decided upon, the head of the dynasty was Duke Eric of Pomerania, a truly fascinating figure. During his lifetime, he acquired numerous titles and positions at European courts. For a time, he ruled Norway as King Eric II, Denmark as King Eric VII, and Sweden as Eric XIII. You may know the saying about “trying to hold too many things at once” – it describes perfectly Eric’s fate. Although he had rights to the thrones of several kingdoms, he lacked the time to govern them all properly and was eventually deprived of his crowns. Ultimately, Eric of Pomerania became Duke of Słupsk and Starogard, with his residence at Darłowo Castle. Of course, this brief account only outlines the rich life of Eric. If you are interested in his story or in the history of other Pomeranian dukes, I recommend the book by Edward Rymar, Genealogy of the Pomeranian Dukes.
The final phase of the castle’s expansion under the Griffin dynasty dates to the mid-16th century. Additional elements were added to the structure, including a large four-storey building housing the castle gate. Unlike the earlier architectural elements, these new buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style, which still creates a beautiful contrast today and makes the castle very pleasing to the eye. An interesting period in the castle’s history was the era of Prussian rule. On the orders of King Frederick William III, the castle walls were demolished and replaced with barracks. During the Napoleonic Wars, the castle served as a hospital. In 1930, a museum was established in the castle, which continues to operate to this day. Between 1971 and 1988, the castle underwent a major restoration. The castle walls and tower were renovated, and the beautiful Knights’ Hall was restored to its former glory.
Visiting Darłowo Castle
We arrived in Darłowo in late spring, in the middle of the week, which meant that we were among very few tourists at the time. When we reached the castle, it was just us, a small group of German tourists, and a few ladies looking after the site. Visiting the castle under such conditions is a real pleasure. Peace, quiet, and the opportunity to take well-thought-out photographs – that is precisely what I enjoy.
Another advantage is the attitude of the museum staff towards visitors. Many times in Poland I have encountered situations where museum employees follow visitors around, watching their every move, with expressions suggesting they expect you to damage a display case or start stuffing artefacts into your backpack at any moment. Here at Darłowo Castle it is wholly different – you have freedom and full autonomy. This does not mean the site is poorly protected; cameras are everywhere, and staff are always present, but their presence is unobtrusive.
Thanks to the major renovation carried out in the 1980s, the castle interior feels fresh and well maintained. Decorations, information boards, and multimedia devices all work properly and fulfil their purpose. The exhibits collected in the museum may not be of the highest calibre, nor are they particularly numerous, but they are displayed in a thoughtful and logical way. The only real drawback is the somewhat kitschy mannequins dressed as historical figures. Modern decorations and portraits of famous castle residents are also rather unrealistic and resemble comic-book characters. Overall, however, it is perfectly fine.
Thanks to the exhibits gathered in the castle, you can learn about the furnishings of a medieval castle interior, local folk and artistic crafts developed around Darłowo, as well as sacred art. As I mentioned earlier, the collections are not extensive, but what is on display allows you to spend your time in an interesting way.
The Knights’ Hall at Darłowo Castle
The Knights’ Hall at Darłowo Castle is also known as the castle chapel. It is the place where you will find an exhibition of Pomeranian sacred art. Personally, I consider it the most fascinating part of the entire castle. Here you can see the development of church liturgy, ceremonial objects, and burial traditions.
One of the most captivating elements of the Knights’ Hall décor is the wooden pulpit funded by Duchess Elisabeth, the wife of Bogusław XIV. Unfortunately, the exact creator of this impressive work of art, carved from limewood, is unknown. It is assumed to have come from a local Pomeranian workshop. The pulpit is richly decorated with carvings and figures of saints, and the intricate polychrome and gilding make it a truly unique monument.
In addition to the pulpit, pay attention to three Gothic sculptures, probably dating from the late 16th century. The figures depict Saint Anne with the Virgin Mary and Child, carved from oak, with small remnants of what were once rich polychromes still visible. The others are Saint Christopher and the Madonna and Child, both carved from limewood, like the pulpit mentioned earlier. One of these figures even appeared in the film The Teutonic Knights, directed by Aleksander Ford and based on the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Other valuable monuments you will see in the Knights’ Hall include tomb frames, the only ones preserved in Pomerania. In addition, selected epitaphs and ship models from the late 19th century are on display.
Pomeranian folk art at Darłowo Castle
In a room on the first floor, originally used as a living chamber, an exhibition of 18th- and 19th-century folk art has been arranged. The collection includes oil paintings, drawings, prints, and watercolours by the renowned Pomeranian artist Otto Kuske. The paintings depict historic architecture from Pomeranian villages.
An interesting feature is a reconstructed wall section showing its exact structure. It is astonishing to realise that old castles were built using brick, stone, wood, and even straw. It makes a great impression and testifies to the skill of past engineers, especially considering that such walls are still standing and often in better condition than many modern buildings. The room is rather small and somewhat cluttered, but we liked it nonetheless.
Eastern art at Darłowo Castle
The exhibition of Eastern art, covering the Middle East, Asia, and as far as Japan, is located on the first floor of the castle, in its southern wing. The collection was initiated by the first curator of the museum at Darłowo Castle, Mr Karl Rosenow, a man fascinated by Eastern art and culture. Over time, he gradually acquired new artefacts, eventually giving rise to the present collection.
Particularly interesting exhibits include samurai sword guards, richly decorated ornaments with animal and plant motifs, as well as Chinese figurines and sculptures.
The exhibition of Baroque and Neo-Baroque furniture at Darłowo Castle
Another very fascinating exhibition offered by the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo is the display of Baroque and Neo-Baroque furniture. It is located on the second floor of the castle, in the area where musicians, jugglers, and all kinds of performers once entertained guests.
The collection includes numerous Baroque and Neo-Baroque pieces, mainly wardrobes, tables, a longcase clock, and chairs, all richly decorated by Pomeranian master woodcarvers. One particularly exciting exhibit is a wooden children’s cradle, also lavishly decorated with animal motifs.
The representative hall with the Gdańsk table
One especially fascinating space is the large hall that once served as a representative room for balls and receptions. Its main feature is a long Gdańsk table made of oak, dating from between the 18th and 19th centuries. The table is absolutely stunning. Its long rectangular top is covered with layers of walnut wood and ebony. The top is supported by thick, richly carved legs featuring eagles with outstretched wings and seated lions holding coats of arms in their paws. Truly magnificent.
In addition to the table, you will see portraits of Pomeranian dukes who were connected with Darłowo in one way or another. Unfortunately, these are only copies of the original paintings, which are housed in the National Museum in Szczecin. Upon entering the hall, pay attention to the large coat of arms hanging at the far end of the room. It is essentially a collection of coats of arms known as the Great Coat of Arms of Pomerania, featuring the symbols of the Pomeranian dukes and the lands that formed the Duchy of Pomerania.
Other attractions of Darłowo Castle
The rooms mentioned above represent only a small part of what the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo has to offer. Be sure to visit the rooms located in the eastern part of the castle, where 19th-century furniture belonging to Pomeranian residents is displayed. The bedrooms are also worth seeing. In one of them, you will find a beautiful Renaissance bed made of walnut wood, intricately decorated with animal motifs and clearly very solid. I assume it survived more than one passionate outburst of the castle’s owners. Besides the bed, you will see a small and charming desk and chairs. Right next door is a small amber lounge, where display cases contain both raw amber and items made from it, including jewellery.
If you enjoy confined spaces and the heavy atmosphere of underground chambers, be sure to descend into the basements, where dungeons and prison cells have been arranged. In one of them, you will encounter a poor soul recounting the story of his difficult life. The interactive combination of image and sound is very original, and we gladly spent a few minutes listening to the prisoner’s tale. One of the basement walls contains a furnace used to heat air, which was then distributed to the upper floors – a clever and simple solution. The underground area also includes a witches’ chamber, where torture instruments and evocative graphics are displayed. This room is rather sparse, however, and leaves a somewhat average impression. It is also worth climbing the castle tower, from which there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area and the sea.
The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo – facts, information, and curiosities
- The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo is a Gothic structure and the former residence of the Griffin dynasty.
- The exact date of the castle’s construction is unknown.
- For centuries, Darłowo Castle served as the seat of the Pomeranian Dukes.
- Although Darłowo was destroyed during military operations, the castle survived almost miraculously.
- The museum at Darłowo Castle has been operating since 1930. At that time, many elements of the castle were altered without proper consultation with historians or conservation specialists. It was only during the major renovation in the 1980s that the castle’s original character was restored.
- The Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Darłowo and its museum are visited by over 80,000 people each year.
- In 2030, the museum will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
- One of the most interesting exhibits for me was a map of Pomerania from the early 17th century, created by Eilhard Lubinus. The map meticulously describes individual regions, showing not only towns and villages, but also castles, estates, inns, mills, farms, and many other features – rather like today’s Google Maps.
- The Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania in Darłowo is one of the very few Gothic castles located near the sea in Poland and the only one situated so close to the Baltic coast.
- Construction of the castle began in 1352, during the reign of Duke Bogusław V.
- Duke Bogusław V selected the site for the castle by purchasing an island together with a mill on the Wieprza River.
- The castle was built on an almost square plan, which was rather unusual for medieval fortifications.
- The castle tower rises to a height of approximately 24 metres and once served as an important observation point.
- In 1372, a significant meeting of Pomeranian dukes took place within the castle walls.
- The castle was a residence of the Griffin dynasty, which ruled Pomerania for several centuries.
- In the 16th century, the fortress was repeatedly expanded and modernised, among others by Duke Barnim XI.
- During the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle served various functions, including a warehouse, prison, and hospital.
- Since 1930, the castle has housed a museum presenting the history of the region and local cultural heritage.
- Darłowo was a member of the Hanseatic League, and the castle was built during a period of intense maritime trade development.
- After years of damage and neglect in the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle fell into partial ruin before being restored and adapted as a museum.
- During the Prussian period, parts of the defensive walls were dismantled, and the western section of the castle was demolished in the 19th century.
- The museum exhibitions include, among others, torture instruments, Far Eastern art, furniture and military artefacts.
- The castle houses a rich collection of exhibits related to the history of Darłowo and the Pomeranian region.
- Within the castle walls there are also themed exhibitions devoted to topics such as poaching, warships and the life cycle of salmon.
- The collections include Gothic sacred sculptures, featuring representations of saints.
- According to local legends, King Eric of Pomerania is said to have hidden a treasure somewhere within the castle walls.
- The castle stands on an artificially created island between the Wieprza River and the Mill Canal.
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