St Otto of Bamberg's Well in Cerkwica

St Otto's Well in Cerkwica, in Karnice municipality, commemorates the baptisms of the inhabitants of West Pomerania performed by St Otto of Bamberg at the turn of 1124 and 1125. It was built of fieldstone on a circular plan and entered in the heritage register in 2004.

Legend and documents

The age of the well is disputed. According to publications promoting local tourist assets, it dates from the 12th century and stands where, according to tradition, a baptistery was located. The heritage record sheet, on the other hand, links it with the second half of the 19th century and one of the round anniversaries connected with Otto. The well took its present form in 1912, and the heritage register gives precisely this date.

The well and the obelisk

The well is dry today. It is one of the few surviving baptismal fonts in West Pomerania. Near it, in the 19th century, a stone obelisk was erected with a granite cross and two plaques in Polish and German, dedicated to the baptisms and to St Otto.

Its place in local life

The well appears on the coat of arms of Karnice municipality, established in 2001. In 2017 it became part of the Sanctuary of the Sources of Faith. In 2019 the planting of a thousand oaks began as part of a planned cultural and religious park by the well.

Practical information

• Place: Cerkwica, Karnice municipality, Gryfice County.
• Check the hours and rules of access with the municipality or the parish before your visit.
• At a distance of about 300 metres stands the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.