Stare Pole: Local History, Cycling Routes and Nature

Stare Pole brings together several distinct themes: a church dating from 1879, the sugar factory complex, whose construction began in 1880, and a post office building from the last quarter of the 19th century. There are also cycling routes, trees designated as natural monuments, and the Żuławskie Targi Rolne agricultural fair. These offer different ways to explore the area—from its religious and industrial history to recreation, rural life and its railway connections.

Church and historic monuments

Among the best-preserved historic monuments are the branch church and its cemetery, which retains mature trees, a chapel and a bell tower. Built as a Protestant church in 1879, the branch church is now Roman Catholic.

The sugar factory and the development of the town

The sugar factory complex in Stare Pole took shape in 1880 as an investment by a joint-stock company. In the 19th century, the complex shaped the settlement’s development: it extended Stare Pole’s built-up area westward with production and auxiliary buildings, and then northward with housing for permanent and seasonal workers. The post office building at ul. Sienkiewicza 3 was built in the last quarter of the 19th century, after the Ostbahn railway line had been routed through the town. The church and the start of construction of the sugar factory complex are just one year apart, in 1879 and 1880; a broader construction period is given for the post office building.

Trees and cycling routes

Several trees in Stare Pole, mainly pedunculate oaks, are considered natural monuments. The mature trees in the parish cemetery are protected as historic monuments. Three cycling routes connect Stare Pole with Ząbrowo and Kraszewo; together, they are 6.5 km long and serve both as connections and for recreation and tourism. The 6.5 km refers to the combined length of all three cycling routes.

Agricultural fair and horse breeding

For years, the Żuławskie Targi Rolne has been celebrated as a festival of agriculture and rural life in the region. At the event held in Stare Pole on 20 and 21 June 2026, there was a livestock exhibition, a long-standing part of the festival. The specialist exhibition Ogólnopolski Młodzieżowy Czempionat Koni Sztumskich was also held there for the tenth time, showcasing breeding horses of this breed from six voivodeships. The Targi celebrates agriculture and rural life; the specialist exhibition also placed a particular focus on horses of the Sztum breed. If you want to plan your trip around a Targi event, check the dates announced for your travel period.

Rail connections for planning your trip

Since 15 December 2024, the “Taryfa Pomorska” fare offer has also applied to the railway section between Stare Pole and Elbląg, in the direction of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. This lets you distinguish the post office’s historic connection to the Ostbahn from this current fare option when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Malbork, Ząbrowo

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