Park of the Pomeranian Dukes in Koszalin

The Park of the Pomeranian Dukes lies in the valley of the Dzierżęcinka River in Koszalin and coincides with the town’s hydrological axis. It consists of two parts, A and B, which are the southern section of a continuous belt of greenery running through the town. The park is entered in the heritage register, which dates it to 1817-1887.

Part A, formerly the Polish-Soviet Friendship Park

This part covers 6.70 ha, including the Castle Pond (Staw Zamkowy) of 1.50 ha, through which the Dzierżęcinka flows. The park was created in stages from 1816, first the Old Promenade was laid out along the town walls. In 1837-1838 new paths were marked out, the pond was created and a fountain was installed on the initiative of the president of the Koszalin Regency, August Ludwig Leopold Fritsche. The park received its final shape in 1933-1934, when the castle pond was recreated and an island for swans was made.

Trees

The oldest trees in Koszalin grow here, including sixteen natural monuments. There are Amur cork trees, the only specimen of a tulip tree in Koszalin, bald cypress and ginkgo, as well as an avenue of London plane trees. In the whole park 124 species and varieties of trees and shrubs have been identified. A sycamore maple known as the Witches’ Tree, regarded as the oldest tree in the town and a remnant of the castle garden, was felled by a gale in February 2011.

Part B, formerly the Hanka Sawicka Park

It covers 3.65 ha and lies furthest south. 91 species and varieties of trees and shrubs have been identified here, including a pedunculate oak of the fastigiate variety, a weeping willow and a black walnut. In the western part, between Słowackiego and 1 Maja streets, a fragment of the town walls has survived.

The site of the former synagogue

The site of the synagogue, burned by the Nazis on Kristallnacht, the night of 9 to 10 November 1938, and not rebuilt after the war, was incorporated into the park. In October 1999 a boulder with a commemorative plaque in Polish, German and English, dedicated to the Jewish community, was unveiled on this spot. The history of the synagogue is described under Synagogue in Koszalin.

Practical information

• Location: the valley of the Dzierżęcinka in the centre of Koszalin, from Rzeczna and Targowa streets to Kutrzeby Street; address in the data: ulica Zwycięstwa.
• Next door, about 300 m away, stands the Museum in Koszalin.