Stare Wierzchowo: Church, Gwda and Routes

Stare Wierzchowo combines local history with routes along the water and by bike. Two questions are particularly helpful when planning your trip: Would you like to explore the architectural history of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, or choose one of the routes that pass through the village? The church and the various routes offer different ways to plan your stay.

A Church with Several Building Phases

The present-day Neo-Baroque Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was built in 1928. A timber-framed church previously stood on the same site. It was built in 1757 and donated by the estate owner at the time, Jurgen Hans von Zarten. This sequence takes the story from an 18th-century donation to a 20th-century church building, giving local history a clear timeframe.

The church’s architecture can also be seen in its individual features: from the level of the upper storey, the tower is timber-framed and topped with an onion dome and lantern. Inside, a wooden ceiling with its original polychrome decoration has been preserved. Polychromy means a multicoloured design; together with the timber-framed tower, it shows how different forms of construction and decorative elements come together in one building.

A restored timber-framed cottage adds to Stare Wierzchowo’s architectural character. It provides another example of timber-frame construction, which also features in the church tower.

Gwda, Kayaking and Cycling Routes

Stare Wierzchowo lies on the Gwda. The “Gwda” kayak route passes through the village between Jezioro Wierzchowo and Jezioro Smolęsko. On both sides of the stone-and-brick bridge over the river, there are suitable spots for a short break or to start a paddling trip.

Another kayak route is the 61.4-kilometre “Pętla Szczecinecka”, which passes through Stare Wierzchowo. A cycling route also passes through the village: the red-marked “Szczecineckie Jeziora” cycle route is 65.1 kilometres long. The routes therefore differ not only in how you travel, but also in their listed features: the kayak trip follows a river and lakes, while the cycle route is marked in red and has a stated total length.

These details give you a basis for choosing between a trip on the water and a bike ride. The kilometre figures describe route length, not the time or effort required; this cannot be determined from comparing the figures alone.

In the wider Neustettin destination

The wider Neustettin destination also offers historical points of interest in other places. Trzebiechowo has a palace complex dating from the second half of the 19th century. A church in Trzebiechowo, dedicated to Our Lady of Częstochowa, also dates from the third quarter of the 19th century. These buildings expand the picture of regional history to include other places and periods.

Nature-related highlights in the wider Neustettin destination include the “Jeziora Szczecineckie” protected landscape area within the Gmina Szczecinek and Bagno Kusowo. The bog is considered one of Poland’s largest and best-preserved Baltic raised bogs and covers approximately 300 hectares. Alongside the local history and routes of Stare Wierzchowo, the wider destination also offers distinct cultural and natural areas to consider when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sępolno Wielkie, Lubowo, Spore, Szczecinek, Sitno, Borne Sulinowo, Rakowo, Krągi.

Go to the wider travel overview: Neustettin.