- We have successfully completed the first stage of work. We have created a new and well-arranged terrace space at the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle of the highest quality. I thank our construction team for their efforts so far, as well as Mr. Marshal, the Castle management, and everyone involved for their contributions to this project - said Marcin Sierpowski, Director of the Western Area of Mostostal Warszawa.

- Ahead of us is another challenge – the second stage of work – related to the reconstruction of the northern wing of the Castle, which was damaged in the construction disaster of 2017. Our priorities will be safety, work quality, and fulfilling contractual obligations. Thanks to the support of all parties, including Mostostal Warszawa, the Investor, conservationists, and the Contract Engineer, I am confident that the investment will be completed successfully for everyone - added Marcin Szymborski, Director of the Contract Group at Mostostal Warszawa.

- The southern and eastern terraces of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle have gained a new look and functionality. They are now a true showcase of this place, a corner that will be eagerly visited by locals and tourists. However, this is just the first stage of work. The northern slope and the reconstruction of the northern wing after the disaster still await us. We are waiting for the contractor for the smaller Mint Courtyard and the Large Courtyard to be selected. Today, we could see how much work has been done, but we also know how much remains. We have undertaken the largest investment at the Castle in over 50 years, since the post-war reconstruction of the monument. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in this work. I will continue to encourage the contractors to complete this task as soon as possible, although I am aware that we cannot avoid objective factors that affect changes in the original schedules, especially in the case of historical sites where renovation and revitalization work must respect archaeological discoveries. It is truly worth visiting this place, and the next opportunity will be this coming Saturday - said Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of the Voivodeship.

- It is a great joy that we can host you, even if just in a fragment of the restored part of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle. What we saw during today's historical walk, with the Gothic Gallery in the spotlight, is truly breathtaking. We wanted representatives from the academic world, knowledgeable individuals – such as Dr. Małgorzata Gwiazdowska, who shared her historical expertise, and archaeologist Mr. Marek Dworaczyk, who talked about the secrets of the past uncovered by the castle during the ongoing work, to be present at today’s meeting. This investment has cost us a lot of effort, and let’s remember that safety has always been our priority, alongside reconstruction. The effect is truly magnificent, and we can be proud of it. I am sure that the terrace will also delight all residents - stated Anna Bańkowska, Deputy Marshal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

- We are opening the southern and eastern castle terraces. This is a very important moment for us. I thank Marshal Olgierd Geblewicz and the Voivodeship Management for deciding to undertake this challenging task, said the Castle director. - How to harmoniously fit new elements into the historic building and how to efficiently conduct the investment while archaeological research and discoveries accompany it? It was not easy. But today, as we see the results, it is extremely satisfying - added Barbara Igielska, Director of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin.

Details of the implementation

During the meeting, a large number of journalists were able to see the terraces.

The granite surface, reconstructed fencing, new small architecture (including pergolas, benches, styled lamps with griffins, a fountain with the head of the griffin of Pomerania), flower beds, and planters with geometrically designed greenery – all of this creates an impressive environment for the Castle from Kuśnierska Street (southern terrace) and from the Oder River (eastern terrace).

Thanks to special ramps and an automatic platform, the terraces are now also accessible for people with disabilities from Kuśnierska Street.

Cannons from the late 18th and 19th centuries, restored and mounted on wooden carriages, have returned to the northeastern corner. At the junction of the eastern and northern terraces, cleaned coat-of-arms shields from the 1970s, symbolizing five Pomeranian towns where the dukes from the Griffin dynasty resided, have been hung again on the outer wall.

The terraces have been rebuilt and reinforced with piles and injections. The eastern terrace was reinforced with 160 micropiles. A curtain of 103 micropiles was created to separate the castle terrace from the eastern slope, which belongs to private owners.

The terraces have been drained and insulated. Installations and roof structures have been replaced. Proper conditions in the underground spaces are ensured by mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and air conditioning.

The first stage of the investment also includes the modernization of the underground areas beneath the southern and eastern terraces. The Castle gained over 800 square meters of new space on two underground levels. This will include a new educational room and storage spaces for artworks that meet the technical requirements of the National Institute of Museum and Conservation, allowing the Castle not only to store its museum collections but also to bring valuable exhibits from other centers in the country and abroad to Szczecin for exhibitions. Spaces for service premises are also being prepared. The Castle management is currently making efforts for such premises to be created from the side of Kuśnierska Street.

The exhibition galleries have been renovated: the Gothic Gallery, Eastern Gallery, and Object Gallery. Conservation works have been carried out in the dungeons under the Prison Tower. This will allow the 15th-century castle dungeons to be made accessible to visitors for the first time. The castle walls have been insulated, and the facade restored. Its historical color scheme has been recreated. The brick part of the Prison Tower has undergone conservation.

The history of Szczecin

This investment is also a great journey into the history of Szczecin and the Castle, significantly expanding our knowledge. Related archaeological research has confirmed that there was a settlement on the site of the Castle Hill as early as the turn of the 8th and 9th centuries, which developed into Szczecin. Many important relics have been documented during the work. The most valuable is a fragment of a medieval wall, estimated by experts to date back to the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. The wall was uncovered beneath the southern terrace and will be occasionally displayed during special events.

The accompanying research and findings as well as the requirement to harmoniously fit new elements into the historical building presented a significant challenge for the modernization.

The project "Comprehensive development of the terraces and reconstruction of the northern wing of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin" is the largest investment in the Szczecin Castle since the post-war reconstruction. The renovation of the terraces was driven by safety concerns and has been planned for years.

The original plans (creation of gardens in Renaissance style) were changed after the construction disaster in the northern wing in 2017 and the discovery of tunnels beneath the slope and northern wing (a network of corridors – about 270 m). The most important consideration became the safety of the monument, with the main goals being the renovation and reconstruction of the terraces and the infrastructure beneath them, as well as securing the northern slope and the underground corridors located beneath it. It was important to showcase and emphasize the unique monument, as well as to restore its facade.

Stages of the investment

On August 25, 2022, a contract was signed with the contractor selected in the tender – Mostostal Warszawa SA. The work is being carried out in two stages. In the first stage, which is set to finish in 2024, the southern and eastern terraces have been modernized. The northern slope development, conducted according to the recommendations of the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Szczecin, will be accepted this year.

The second stage (scheduled for completion in 2025) involves the reconstruction of the northern wing and modernization of the northern terrace.

Due to the geotechnical conditions and the historical character of the facility, the investment poses a significant engineering challenge, supervised not only by experts from the contractor's side but also by a team of specialists (including an archaeologist and conservationists) working on behalf of the Castle. Everything is being carried out under the supervision of the West Pomeranian Provincial Conservator of Monuments.

The project is being implemented under the Regional Operational Program of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship 2014-2020, Priority Axis 4 Natural Environment of Man, Action 4.1 Cultural Heritage – Co-financed by the European Union.

The planned completion of all works is in 2025. The total cost of the work is approximately 85 million PLN, of which nearly 19 million PLN for the first stage – modernization of the southern and eastern terraces – has been co-financed from the ROP of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The remaining amount comes from the budget of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The Castle invites you to the inauguration "We Open the Castle Terraces!"

On Saturday, September 28, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, the results of the first stage of the project "Comprehensive development of the terraces and reconstruction of the northern wing of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin" will be presented during the ceremonial inauguration "We Open the Castle Terraces!" Information about the investment will be available. Visitors will have the chance to learn about the new spaces, their history, and interesting facts with the Castle guides. The program includes many attractions for children and adults,

STAGE I IN NUMBERS

• 1,646 m² – area of the modernized southern and eastern terraces.
• 80 tons – amount of steel used for reinforcing the terrace structures.
• 160 – number of micropiles (effective diameter approx. 250 mm) installed to strengthen the eastern terrace.
• 103 – number of micropiles used to create a protective curtain separating the eastern terrace from private land.
• 1,761 m – total length of micropiles used for securing the eastern terrace.
• 720 m² – sandstone used for the façades of the southern and eastern terraces.
• 805 m² – new area gained on levels -1 and -2 beneath the terraces.
• 460 – number of plant seedlings planted in pots and flowerbeds on the terraces.
• 2.30 m x 3.35 m – dimensions of the cells in the castle dungeon under the Prison Tower, now accessible to visitors.

Video material produced by the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin

Main photo. ZKP,
Photos. MW.