Rekowo – Archaeology, Chapel and Routes

Rekowo can be explored during a stay through several clearly distinct themes: archaeological traces, a chapel, a historic cemetery, a cycling route and the Way of St. James. If you are choosing a destination for its culture or routes, these points can help you organize your interests. The archaeological evidence concerns different periods; the two routes differ in their course and names. The following sections show the specific points of interest Rekowo offers for planning your trip.

Archaeology Across Several Periods

The village is home to an archaeologically investigated burial mound cemetery. The earliest traces of settlement discovered at the site date from the Stone Age and the Early Bronze Age. This is distinct from the burial history of one burial mound: after an earlier phase with cremation burials of the Lusatian culture, dated to approximately 1200–700 BC, the mound was used again as a burial site during the Roman Imperial period. This reuse is dated to approximately AD 70–230. The archaeological interpretation of this sequence is based on the 2023 and 2024 research seasons.

Chapel, Cemetery and Village Character

Rekowo is home to a chapel dedicated to Saint John Paul II; construction began in 2007. On the edge of the village lies a former German cemetery, where graves from the 19th century have been preserved. The two sites represent different historical points of reference: the chapel, a building project dating from 2007, and the cemetery, with its preserved older graves. Rekowo’s rural settlement pattern is also part of its character; it broadens the focus from individual cultural sites to the village as a whole. If you are interested in the village’s history, you can distinguish between a sacred building, a burial site and the rural settlement pattern. The cemetery’s condition may change; check before planning a specific visit.

Cycling Route and Way of St. James

For cyclists, a route runs from Rekowo via Kolonia Mrówek to Kościernica; it connects the municipalities of Manowo and Sianów. This gives you two specific points of reference for planning: the sequence of villages and the connection between the municipalities. Check the current route signs and the condition of the surface before setting off. The Way of St. James passes through Rekowo as Stage 28a and is marked with yellow arrows and a yellow scallop shell. Here too, you should check the waymarkers before your trip, as they may change. The section of the Way of St. James that passes through Rekowo is described as more than 1,000 years old. By comparison, the cycling route is characterized by its sequence of villages and the connection between the municipalities; on the Way of St. James, the stage designation and waymarkers are specific points of reference, while the age claim adds historical context.

Festival and Timing Your Visit

The metal festival “Wykopaliska” has accompanied the seasonal archaeological work in Rekowo since the beginning. A University of Gdańsk article dated July 23, 2025, reports demonstrations of traditional crafts and archaeological lectures at the festival; one edition took place on July 18 and 19.

Discover more destinations: Gąski, Polanow, Smolne, Pleśna, Tymień, Gozd, Mielno, Dobrzyca

For the broader travel overview: Köslin.