One of the shortest tourist trails in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is located in Kołobrzeg. It is marked in green and named after Jan Frankowski, a distinguished community activist and lover of Kołobrzeg, who also authored the first post-war guidebook to the city and its surroundings. Jan Frankowski was a book enthusiast and a master of librarianship.
Trail Route:
- Lighthouse
- Morska Street
- Towarowa Street
- Spacerowa Street
- Solna Street
- Boulevard of Navy Ships of the Border
- Rzeczna Street
- Emilii Gierczak Street
- Armii Krajowej Street
- Budowlana Street
- Kamienna Street
- Bogusława X Street
- Bolesław Krzywousty Street (along road no. 163 towards Białogard)
- Bolesław Chrobrego Street (towards Budzistowo)
- Budzistowo
- Kołobrzeska Street
- St. John the Baptist Church
Attractions and Points of Interest on the Trail:
- Lighthouse: Built in 1945 on the site of the Fort Ujście. It stands 26 meters tall with a light range of 16 nautical miles.
- Beech Bower: A charming beech avenue forming a vault from tree crowns. A spatial arrangement from the 19th century, renovated in recent years.
- Regional Culture Center: A venue for cultural events, concerts, performances, recitals, and exhibitions. In summer, it also hosts an outdoor stage.
- Boulevard of Navy Ships of the Border: A picturesque boulevard running along the Parsęta.
- Polish Arms Museum: Houses a rich collection of military equipment, including over 70 military vehicles, aircraft, armored weapons, and artillery. Permanent exhibitions cover the history of Polish arms and the maritime union.
- Merchant House from the 15th century: A late-Gothic merchant house, the only remnant of the rich Hanseatic era.
- Town Hall: Constructed in 1829-1832 by the design of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It now houses the Contemporary Art Gallery, the City Council, and the Civil Registry Office.
- Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: A monumental five-nave Gothic church from the turn of the 14th/15th century. The landmark has historic interior decor and cannonballs embedded in the walls.
- Budzistowo: Known as the cradle of Kołobrzeg, this town was founded in the 9th century. In the 13th century, the city moved closer to the sea, leading to the decline of the original settlement.
- St. John the Baptist Church: The oldest monument of early medieval Kołobrzeg, built in 1222. Despite numerous destructions, the church was always rebuilt to remind of the city’s former glory.
Summary:
The Jan Frankowski Green Tourist Trail offers visitors the opportunity to explore the most important historical and cultural sites of Kołobrzeg. Although short, this trail allows for a deep understanding of the city’s rich history and contemporary attractions, combining educational and recreational elements.
