Kamien Pomorski can be a perfect place for history lovers because of the long history of the city whose roots reach to the 9th century. Back then, the city operated as castle-town, and later, in 1274 it gained a city charter. The city owes its name to huge boulder which lies in the waters of Kamien Bay. The boulder, commonly called ‘king boulder’, owes its name to an event in 1121 when the king of Poland – Boleslaw III Krzywousty – welcomed a parade of the Pomeranian fleet from the boulder.
The town is located on the European Route of Brick Gothic. Visitors should pay special attention to the cathedral complex (a national monument) with a Roman-Gothic cathedral, a treasury and a unique cathedral patio, the only one in Poland. The complex also includes the Bishop’s Palace and the Dean’s Diocese, also called the Ewald Jürgen von Kleist’s Mansion. On 17 October 1745 this outstanding scientist and a dean of the cathedral chapter from Kamień invented the first energy capacitor, called a Leyden jar. In 2013 a commemorative plaque of the European Physical Society, which decided Kamień was an important place for developing physics in the world, was unveiled.
While walking around the town it is worth visiting other places, including the 14th-century Town Hall, the Wolin Gate and the Tower built around 1308 together with the city walls, the Church of Our Lady and the St. Nicholas Church. One cannot miss the historic abundance of the town. Lots of information about this area can be found in the Kamień Land History Museum. It organises numerous occasional exhibitions and it has a permanent archaeological and sacral art display as well as a rich collection of old photographs of the town from the pre-war period when Kamień Pomorski belonged to Germany.
Another museum – The Museum of Stones (one of two in Poland!) – houses a collection of interesting minerals, stones, fossils, exhibits of extra-terrestrial origin dinosaur bones. The museum is situated in Wolin Gate with an excellent view over Kamien Bay and the medieval town.
Nevertheless, history is not the only thing that the city can offer us. Many regional, nationwide and international cultural and sport events are organized as well. This year, we will celebrate the 740th anniversary of granting rights to the city.
The oldest and best known event in Kamien Pomorski is the annual Festival of Organ Music which have been organized for 51 years. Inside the historical cathedral, every Friday of summer we can listen to organ concerts, orchestras, choirs, bands and soloists from all over the world.
In June and July there is a Festival of Contemporary Folk Culture. This two-day event of folk culture is usually held near Kamien Bay. On the first day, there are performances of the contestants from different categories – bands, singing groups, dancing groups. On the second day, there is a street parade of the contestants and a gala concert.
There is a new yacht port Marina Kamien Pomorski with 240 parking places. Marina is a project implemented within the West Pomeranian Sailing Trail. The Trail connects with ports in Szczecin Lagoon , in Szczecin and at the Baltic seaside. The Trail lies on the main waterway leading from Berlin to the Baltic Sea and to Scandinavia.
Adjacent water regions are a real paradise for windsurfing, kitesurfing, fishing and sailboat lovers. Perfect wind conditions and the still-developing base of Kamien Pomorski make it an ideal sailing resort which holds important nationwide and international sailing events. In 2015, Poland will be an organizer of Optimist World Championship in Kamien Pomorski.
In the summer time, you can always go on a cruise on Victoria Ship, through waters of Kamien Bay to Dziwnów city. Moreover, holiday farms offer stay at the farm and horse riding. Kamien Country Club with a 65 hectacre land offers 18-hole golf course and many others amusements which attract tourists every year.
It is not possible to describe every place in Kamien Pomorski, its legends, myths and stories. The best solution is to go there and become a discoverer of this rich and beautiful region.
In Kamien Pomorski, everyone will find a treasure for himself.
Text and photos: Mateusz Ciężyk (article published in March 2014)
Article updated in July 2015, courtesy of the Department for Promotion of the Kamien Pomorski City Hall