Wolin: Discover Archaeology and Urban History

Archaeology and the History of the Island

The Muzeum Regionalne im. Andrzeja Kaubego is one of Wolin’s oldest cultural institutions; it was founded in 1966. Its permanent exhibitions explore the earliest settlement history of Wolin Island and archaeological topics from Wolin’s heyday in the 9th to 11th centuries. A model shows the town around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibitions therefore focus on both early settlement history and a later view of the town.

Another testament to early history is the burial ground on Wzgórze Wisielców. It is one of the oldest early medieval necropolises in Western Pomerania. At the end of the 19th century, 93 burial mounds were counted there; 34 have survived. These figures give a sense of the scale of the burial ground as it was once counted, while seeing the surviving mounds today offers a tangible connection to this archaeological site.

A large industrial and trading district was established on Srebrne Wzgórze in the 9th century. It was fortified by a defensive rampart and had its own harbor. The processing of horn and amber was particularly well developed there. Together with the themes of the museum exhibitions and the burial ground, this creates a multifaceted picture of early history: settlement, trade, fortification, and craftsmanship are distinct aspects in their own right.

Buildings and Places of Remembrance in Wolin

Later urban history can also be read in specific buildings. Wolin’s town hall was built in 1881 in the Neo-Gothic brick style, after the old town hall on the market square was demolished. A coat of arms and a clock face stand out on its tower. The Dutch-style windmill was built on the southwestern edge of town in the second half of the 19th century. It is three storeys high and 14 metres tall, and served as an industrial mill from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Of the town walls built in the 14th and 15th centuries, only fragments remain in the northeast of the town near the “Dworku Wolińskim.” Another place of remembrance is the runestone dedicated to the Danish king Harald Bluetooth. It is associated with the account that Harald ruled over Wolin and founded the fortified camp of Jomsborg, where a group of Vikings was stationed. This attributed role remains part of the town’s historical memory.

At the northeastern entrance to town, on the Dziwna, stands the granary, which has long been a popular subject on the town’s postcards. The Wolin drawbridge over the Dziwna connects Wolin Island with the mainland and is one of five operating drawbridges in Poland. When it is opened for shipping, road traffic is stopped. This is relevant when travelling across the bridge and is part of the structure’s distinctive function.

Events and Other Local Points of Interest

During the Jarmark Wikinga, stalls, tents, and a large stage fill the Wolińskie Błonia for three days; there are also performances and concerts. Visitors can sample medieval and contemporary baked goods. This combines an events program with a culinary detail, without reducing the market to a single theme.

The natural environment is also part of the picture at the municipal level: the western part of Wolin Municipality lies within Woliński National Park, which is located on Wolin Island. If you would like to consider this alongside the town’s history, bear in mind that these refer to different geographical areas. Another place listed within the municipality is Łubczewo.

More local pages to help you find your way: Świnoujście, Piaski Wielkie, Karnocice, Stuchowo, Międzyzdroje, Ładzin, and Wapnica.

For the broader travel overview: Kamień Pomorski.