The Municipality of Police, which includes Pölitz, offers a variety of themes for a stay: neo-Gothic architecture and memorial sites, the history of Hydrierwerke Politz AG, and forest walks and birdwatching. In Pölitz, you can choose between cultural stops, a specific hiking trail and longer municipal routes.
Cultural History in the Municipality of Police
The neo-Gothic Church of St. Mary in Police was built in the late 19th century. Its tower is more than 60 metres tall; the church is one of the city's important historic monuments and unofficial symbols. Polickie Lapidarium, in Staromiejski Park, is a museum of funerary sculpture and also a memorial site. Its establishment began around the turn of 1997/98. It contains more than 120 restored cemetery elements from 24 pre-war German cemeteries.
In Police-Jasienica are the ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery, founded on the banks of the Gunica in the 14th century. The surviving Gothic perimeter walls of the east and south wings reach up to the level of the first floor, and the cellars also remain. Preservation work may affect access, so check current accessibility before visiting.
Ruins and the History of Hydrierwerke Politz AG
Hydrierwerke Politz AG grew out of the smaller Norddeutsche Mineralolwerke GmbH, which regenerated partially unused marine fuel. Between 1939 and 1944, eight camps were established near the Hydrierwerke, where prisoners of war from across Europe were held. The plant was bombed repeatedly. The last air raid took place in February 1945; ruins remained afterwards.
An educational walking trail runs through the site and offers a shorter and a longer option. The Stowarzyszenie Przyjaciół Ziemi Polickiej „SKARB“ association leads visitors around the site, sharing its history, myths and legends. If you are planning a guided tour, check the dates in advance.
Forest Landscape and Routes
Puszcza Wkrzańska is a large forest complex in the Municipality of Police, crossed by numerous hiking trails. Over a period of more than a dozen years, 205 bird species were observed there. Species that nested there included lesser spotted eagles and white-tailed eagles; red kites were often seen. The ornithological reserve at Lake Świdwie was included in the Ramsar Convention in 1984 and is one of the world's significant wetlands.
The routes vary considerably in length. The yellow „Szlak Policki“ hiking trail starts at Police Rynek and is 11.6 kilometres long. It passes through Trzeszczyn, the monument in Trzeszczyn, Stare Leśno, the Szczecin–Tanowo road and Bartoszewo. The municipal route „Szlakiem budownictwa ryglowego“ runs from Police through Tanowo, Tatynia, Jasienica, Niekłończyca and Trzebież, then back to Police, and is about 40 kilometres long. „Dookoła gminy Police“ runs via Police, Siedlice, Pilchowo, Tanowo, Witorza, Tatynia, Wieńkowo, Jasienica, Nowa Jasienica, Drogoradz, Uniemyśl and Trzebież, then back to Police; the route is about 48 kilometres long. Longer still is the approximately 58-kilometre „Nad brzegi śródleśnych jezior“ route: it runs from Police via, among other places, Lake Bartoszewo, Tanowo, Lake Świdwie, Zalesie, Lake Piaski and Lake Karpino to Trzebież and back to Police. Check current trail conditions and markings before setting out.
Nature Education and Recreation by the Water
The Transboundary Centre for Environmental Education is located in Zalesie, near the destination. It lies in the buffer zone of the Świdwie protected area, in Puszcza Wkrzańska and next to the Trzebież Forest District. On Saturdays, the centre is open to individual visitors, including families, adults accompanying children and adults. Visitors can see the Ecosystem Room, the Atmospheric Phenomena Room, the observation terrace and exhibits in the corridors; the grounds also include a sensory garden and a playground. Check the opening arrangements before travelling. The centre also offers activities on educational trails in nearby forests for hikers and cyclists; participants are provided with basic field survey equipment.
A nature-friendly recreation area with access to the water was created along the Łarpia waterfront in the town of Police, linked by walking and cycling paths. These waterside paths complement the longer routes through the forest and the municipality.
Discover more destinations: Nowe Warpno, Tanowo, Police, Wołczkowo, Kurów, Trzebież, Mierzyn, Bezrzecze, Dobra, Dołuje, Pilchowo, Kołbaskowo, Brzózki, Przęsocin.
Go to the overview of destinations: West Pomerania.
