Starzno: Wooden Church and Hiking Trails

A church with distinctive wooden construction

St. Nicholas Church dates from the late 16th or early 17th century. It was built on the site of an earlier church, dating from the time when this area belonged to the Pomerelian princes. These dates point to several building phases at the same location, without equating the earlier church with the surviving building.

The building’s design gives the church a distinctive character: its wooden structure is built using the log construction method. To the west stands a post-and-beam tower, topped with an onion-shaped cupola. The roof is also distinctive, combining a single-nave gable roof with wooden shingles. Those interested in traditional wooden buildings can observe different construction methods in these details of a single building.

Several furnishings are among the interior’s characteristic features. The late Baroque high altar dates from the late 17th century and is richly decorated with acanthus ornament; it includes two paintings on leather. Other features include a late Baroque pulpit and a chalice-shaped baptismal font with a lid from the first half of the 18th century. A crucifix dating from around the turn of the 18th to 19th century completes the furnishings. Two bells bear the dates 1648 and 1824. Together, these pieces represent different forms and periods, making the church an interesting destination for travellers with an interest in cultural history.

Hiking with routes of different lengths and descriptions

A yellow-marked hiking trail runs through the Brda Valley from Miastko to Przechlewo, passing through Starzno and Nowa Brda. So if you would like to combine a visit to Starzno with a hike, the village is part of a longer route. No distance is given here for this trail, so do not use the figures for the other hiking trail when planning it.

The Szafirowy Szlak is 26 km long and rated as moderately difficult. Its route runs through Dymin, Dźwierzno, Starzno and Ostrówek, between Koczała and Koczała. Lake Starzeńskie is listed as one of the route’s attractions. The trail includes paved stones, asphalt, unpaved paths and concrete slabs. These details can help you fit the route into your day’s plans: its length, difficulty rating and changing surfaces are specific features to consider when choosing a hike.

The two trails offer different points of reference: the yellow-marked hiking trail is described by its connection between Miastko and Przechlewo and its route through the Brda Valley. For the Szafirowy Szlak, by contrast, its length, difficulty rating, places along the route and variety of surfaces are given. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Starzno, these differences can help you decide which focus best suits your stay. Consider the details given for each route separately.

Wooden houses and a glacial erratic in the village

In addition to St. Nicholas Church, several wooden houses in Starzno that are more than a hundred years old have been preserved. They add other buildings in the village to the picture of wooden architecture. Together with the church, they create a focus on cultural history, while the hiking trails invite you to explore the surroundings actively. The glacial erratic adds a distinctive feature of its own. When choosing a holiday, you can weigh up whether you would rather focus your stay on architectural history and exploring the village, or on a particular hiking route.

The neighbouring village of Swieszyno may also be worth considering in your search. Other places: Olszanowo, Ględowo, Rychnowy, Jeziernik, Dolinka, Czarne and Debrzno.

For the broader travel overview: Schlochau.