Darłowo

Our last Sunday in Poland and we were fascinated to see the numbers of church goers. The folk were all dressed in their Sunday best and they filled the church in two consecutive hours that we observed. Poland has traditionally been Catholic, and it has been said that it was the church that maintained the Polish culture and identity through the many years of foreign control. 

Beautiful! In the ancient church yard at Iwięcino. 

We decided that we would wander northwards toward the Baltic to the town of Darłowo. We were pleasantly surprised to find an old attractive central market square and some interesting historical buildings surrounding the area. 

The reconstructed Renaissance Town Hall in Darłowo. 

A fine pair!

Another angle. 

Castle entrance. 

Castle, mill race and restaurants. 

In the gothic church of St Mary's is the tomb of King Erik VII (1397-1459). I particularly loved his story: he was a local (Darłowo) boy who became king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, married Henry V of England's daughter, Phillipina, whom he later tired of and banished her to a nunnery. He was kicked off the throne in 1439, returned to Darłowo as a Duke of Słupsk, and lives out the rest of his life on the earnings from his piracy in the Baltic Sea!

A plaque in St Mary's Church in reference to Erik VII's reign. 

Another red brick church - St Mary's. 

We took a stroll around the town where a lot of holiday makers were enjoying the pleasant surroundings of an old castle, a 14th century church and a reconstructed Renaissance town hall which were all within easy access from the square. 

After lunch we thought we would risk the 3 km journey to the beach - but we were beaten there by scores upon scores of Polish holiday makers. The place was pulsating with humanity. They all seemed to be out on the promenade waiting for better conditions on the beach. 

Crawling with holiday makers. 

We quickly changed direction - not easy in the van when you had just entered a pedestrian area and the folk weren't prepared to give much ground!

Fun....

..... and fair!

We reset our course to Iwięcino where we had heard there was a 14th century church worth visiting. On arriving the church was all locked up so decided that this was a very suitable place to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening.  

Rustic charm of the church at Iwięcino. 

Over the road is an old barn and a well tended garden. 

Another of the church at Iwięcino. 

Masses of brightly coloured hydrangeas around the church. 

A sneak look inside the church through one tiny window. It was all locked up!!