In Szymbark, a Gothic castle and a protected pine avenue meet other distinctive landscape features: Lake Szymbarskie and an overgrown park west of the castle. The castle combines a 14th-century construction history with a clear current visitor restriction. Its courtyard is currently inaccessible; the complex can still be viewed from outside.

Szymbark Castle

The first construction phase of the castle lasted from 1378 to 1386. The complex is a Gothic 14th-century ruin and is considered Poland’s second-largest castle after Malbork. As a defensive complex of the castellum type, it is considered unique in its form; at the same time, it served as the residence of the provost of the Pomesanian cathedral chapter. Defence and residence thus describe two historical functions of the same complex.

Since the preservation and clearance work of the 1960s, the castle has remained a permanent ruin and is no longer in use. The first construction phase and the later preservation work mark two widely separated periods in its history: after its construction, it was permanently preserved as a ruin.

Szymbark Castle’s courtyard is currently closed to visitors because the castle is privately owned; check the visitor information again before travelling. You can view the castle from outside by walking around its walls and through the former park by Lake Szymbarskie. Scenes for the film “Król Olch” starring John Malkovich were filmed in the castle courtyard.

Aleja Napoleona and the landscape

Aleja Napoleona is an approximately 200-year-old pine avenue leading out of Szymbark and protected in its entirety as a natural monument. According to local tradition, it led from Szymbark towards the castle in Kamieniec, where Napoleon was stationed for two months in 1807. The connection to Napoleon should be understood as local tradition.

The protection designations differ in scope: the avenue is protected in its entirety as a natural monument, while many of the large oaks and beeches in the overgrown park west of the castle are designated as natural monuments.

Lake Szymbarskie, near Szymbark, lies in the buffer zone of the landscape park. Its area is given as 165.2 hectares and its depth as 25.1 metres. Together with the avenue leading out of the town and the park west of the castle, it forms a landscape with distinct spatial features.

Visiting and surroundings

The Zamek Szymbark Foundation set up a website that enabled a virtual tour of the 14th-century castle and the park surrounding it. The von Finckenstein family cemetery is also nearby. If you plan to visit, check access arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wola, Janowo, Dobrzyki, Urowo, Siemiany, Kiemiany, Kałduny, Szałkowo.

Return to the regional travel overview: Iławski.