Discover Szymbark: Castle, Avenue and Landscape

For a stay in Szymbark, the castle and the landscape offer distinct points of interest. When planning a visit to the castle, it is especially important to note that the courtyard is currently closed to visitors, although the exterior can be viewed. In addition, Aleja Napoleona, the parks and Lake Szymbarskie offer specific themes for a trip focused more on nature and local tradition.

Szymbark Castle: Building History and Visiting

Szymbark Castle is a Gothic ruin dating from the 14th century; its first construction phase lasted from 1378 to 1386. It is considered the second-largest castle in Poland after Malbork. It is a unique defensive complex of the castellum type. The castle served as a residence for the provost of the Pomesanian cathedral chapter. Thus, the complex’s defensive role and its former function as a residence exist side by side.

Since the preservation and clearance work carried out in the 1960s, the castle has remained a ruin and is no longer in use. The courtyard is currently closed to visitors because the castle is privately owned. You can view the complex from outside by walking around the walls and through the former park by Lake Szymbarskie. Plan to see the castle from the outside and check the municipality’s visitor information again before your trip. The distinction between the courtyard and the exterior view is crucial for planning.

Film and Virtual Tour

Scenes for the film “Król Olch,” starring John Malkovich, were filmed in the castle courtyard. The Zamek Szymbark Foundation also set up a website for a virtual tour of the 14th-century castle and the surrounding park. The film and virtual tour offer different cultural perspectives on the complex.

Aleja Napoleona, Park and Lake

Aleja Napoleona is a pine avenue about 200 years old that leads out of Szymbark and is fully protected as a natural monument. The connection with Napoleon is a separate matter: according to local tradition, the avenue led from Szymbark toward the castle in Kamieniec, where Napoleon was stationed for two months in 1807.

West of the castle lies an overgrown park with large oaks and beeches; many of these trees are designated natural monuments. Nearby Lake Szymbarskie lies within the buffer zone of the landscape park. It covers 165.2 hectares and is 25.1 metres deep. Another place to visit in person is the von Finckenstein family cemetery in the vicinity of the castle.

When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the historical perspectives: the castle’s construction phase is dated, while the avenue’s connection with the castle in Kamieniec remains local tradition. The castle can be viewed from outside in person, while the courtyard is currently closed to visitors; the website offers a virtual view of the castle and park.

Discover more destinations: Szałkowo, Kałduny, Mątyki, Zalewo, Bądki, Eylau, Wola, Zabrowo

For the main travel overview: Iławski.