Zamek Książąt Pomorskich w Szczecinie

About the museum

A Slavic stronghold with a wooden ducal manor already stood on the castle hill before 1124. In 1235 Barnim I moved the capital of the duchy from Uznam to Szczecin, and from 1346 Barnim III built a stone castle of the Griffin dynasty, who ruled Pomerania. The oldest surviving part is the 14th-century burial crypt with the ducal sarcophagi. After a fire in 1530 the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style within seven years, and in 1573–1582 Jan Fryderyk (Johann Friedrich) enclosed the courtyard with new wings.

From 1637 the castle was occupied by a Swedish governor, and from 1720 by a Prussian garrison, which greatly damaged the interiors in the 19th century. After 1902, when the garrison left, the building fell into ruin, and air raids in 1944 seriously damaged it. After the ruins were secured in 1946 the crypt was discovered, and in 1958–1980 the castle was rebuilt in its Renaissance appearance according to an engraving by Merian.

Today the castle belongs to the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and operates as a cultural centre with a concert hall, a cinema, a theatre and exhibitions. The north wing was renovated in 2014–2015, and after a ceiling collapsed in 2017 it was reopened on 25 October 2025. The permanent exhibition “Tajemnica Gryfitów” is housed in the north wing, and visitors can also climb the Bell Tower, from which there is a panorama of Szczecin.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition “Tajemnica Gryfitów” (“The Mystery of the Griffins”) in the north wing
• Bell Tower with a view of Szczecin
• Ducal Terrace and castle terraces, open daily
• 14th-century ducal crypt with the Griffin sarcophagi
• Renaissance courtyards and historic halls, including the Elizabeth Hall (Sala Elżbietańska)

Permanent exhibition

• Tajemnica Gryfitów – Permanent exhibition in the north wing of the castle, presenting the history of the Pomeranian dukes of the Griffin dynasty.

Operated by

Zamek Książąt Pomorskich w Szczecinie (samorządowa instytucja kultury województwa zachodniopomorskiego)

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold by the Cultural and Tourist Information Centre and by the online shop bilety.zamek.szczecin.pl. The courtyards and castle terraces are free of charge, except for ticketed events.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Entrance D to the north wing (permanent exhibitions) leads by a ramp with a 7% gradient and handrails; in the north wing a lift reaches all levels and the roof of the Ducal Terrace. Entrance F from the Eastern Terrace has ramps and a lift to the first floor; entrance I from the courtyard has no steps. The Bell Tower (over 200 steps, no lift), the ducal crypt and the dungeon are not accessible to wheelchair users. Toilets for people with disabilities are in the north wing on level +2 (reached by lift); the toilet in the Mint Wing (skrzydło Menniczym) is currently unavailable because of construction. Induction loops operate in the Elizabeth Hall, the Eryk Pomorski hall and the conference hall, and the signs have Braille lettering. Some gates and entrances are closed due to renovation.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Access to the Bell Tower and the castle grounds is from ul. Korsarzy; driving in through the main gate requires the permission of the castle's security (tel. +48 91 434 83 36, ochrona@zamek.szczecin.pl).

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

There are two restaurants in the castle; tickets, publications and souvenirs are sold by the Cultural and Tourist Information Centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit