Świdwin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland

🇵🇱 Świdwin (Schivelbein; Skwilbëno) is a town in West Pomeranian Voivodeship of north-western Poland. It is the capital of Świdwin County established 1999, previously having been in Koszalin Voivodeship (1950–1998), and the administrative seat - though not part - of the Gmina Świdwin. Świdwin is situated in the historic Pomerania region on the left banks of the Rega river, about 100 km (62 mi) east of the regional capital Szczecin and 44 km (27 mi) south of the Baltic coast at Kołobrzeg.

History In the 12th century there was a gród on the trade route from the coastal city of Kołobrzeg to Greater Poland. In the 13th century the settlement belonged to the Duchy of Pomerania under the Griffin duke Barnim I. In 1248 the duke ceded the area to the Bishop of Cammin, who shortly afterwards sold it to the Ascanian margraves of Brandenburg. Schivelbein was incorporated as the north-eastern outpost of the Neumark region. It was granted town rights by 1296. From 1373 it was part of the Lands of the Bohemian (Czech) Crown as one of its northernmost towns, in 1384 it was passed to the State of the Teutonic Order, and in 1455 to Brandenburg, which possession it remained until the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. In 1477 a Carthusian monastery was established, which was secularized in 1539. Brewing developed at that time. In 1550, around 30% of the population died in an epidemic. In the 17th century the town suffered as a result of two fires and the Thirty Years' War. In 1816 it became part of the Prussian province of Pomerania.

The Battle of Świdwin took place south of the town during 6–7 March 1945, in which a German SS corps was encircled and destroyed by two Soviet and one Polish armies. After the town was captured, a Soviet general was killed by a member of the Hitler Youth. The reprisals that followed saw the men shot, and the women and girls raped by Soviet troops.

After World War II Schivelbein with Farther Pomerania became part of the Republic of Poland and its name changed to Świbowina, which was officially renamed to Świdwin in 1946. The town's populace that had stayed or had fled their home and returned was expelled. The town's first post-war mayor was Jan Górski, and Polish schools, institutions and factories were established, however war damage was removed until the 1950s.

Sights The main historic landmarks of Świdwin are the Gothic-Baroque castle, the Gothic Stone Gate (Brama Kamienna) and the Gothic church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help from the 14th century.

Transport: Air The military airport operated by the Polish Air Force is located about 5 km (3.11 mi) from the city centre. Civilians are not permitted to enter, but this airport is often used for government's aircraft. The runway is 2.5 km (1.55 mi) length and 60 m (196.85 ft) width.