A New Recreation and Leisure Area is Being Created in Świecie

Illuminated viewing terraces, a playground, gazebos, and new plantings – the area around the Świecie castle will be developed to provide residents and visitors of the Teutonic fortress with a well-designed recreational space. The investment is co-financed by the European Funds for Kujawy and Pomorze for 2021–2027.

The project scope includes, among other things, the demolition of the former shooting range building and clearing of overgrowth, the construction of walking and cycling paths, viewing terraces, and a playground, as well as the installation of small infrastructure elements such as benches, deck chairs, and gazebos. The castle surroundings will also feature new plantings and lighting.

“Świecie Castle is an exceptional place in many respects, and its reconstruction, carried out with attention to the smallest architectural details, is a symbol of our care for the region’s heritage,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “I would like to thank the authorities of Świecie for initiating and engaging in this investment – especially since heritage protection projects are often placed lower in the development strategies of municipalities and cities, while preserving such monuments in the best possible condition for future generations is a vital part of our cultural identity.”

Built in the mid-14^th century, the castle is a remnant of the former state of the Teutonic Order. In its prime, it was strongly fortified, protected by moats supplied with water from the Vistula and Wda rivers. The preserved tower – the only one that survived – is 35 meters high and is the tallest leaning tower in Poland.

Recent restoration works carried out at the Świecie fortress have resulted, among other things, in impressive star vaults. To recreate them, craftsmen used hand-made structural elements modeled after the original bricks discovered in the walls. The works also included the renovation of the cellars with the creation of a microhabitat for bats, the reconstruction of cloisters and barrel vaults, and the construction of a staircase and elevator shaft. The project was made possible thanks to EU funding from the Regional Operational Programme of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region for 2014–2020.

The castle in Nowe (Świecie County) has also regained its former glory. The EU grant enabled, among other things, the renovation of the castle’s attic and its adaptation for meetings and workshops for the local community. An elevator was installed to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

Beata Krzemińska
Press Spokesperson for the Marshal’s Office

November 4, 2025