<b>Why Szczecin?</b><br><br> Szczecin is the capital of Western Pomerania and the largest Polish city located in the vicinity of three European countries: Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The city was modelled on Paris, with a number of star-shaped squares, and is known as the “city of greenery”. Obviously there is a reason to it. There are very few towns in Poland with comparable greenery, water areas and climate favourable for both living and tourism. The urban built-up areas contain green enclaves as well as parks featuring rare tree and bush species, and one of the largest cemeteries - the Central Cemetery (area of approx. 170 ha). The squares in Szczecin are planted with many varieties of magnolia that bloom in spring. The city is located on the edge of three forests: Bukowa, Goleniowska and Wkrzanska. It takes Szczecin residents slightly over an hour by car, train or ferry to get to famous seaside resorts - Swinoujscie (with ferry service to Denmark and Sweden), Miedzyzdroje, Dziwnów or Rewal. Equally popular are towns located at the Lagoon of Szczecin - Nowe Warpno, Trzebiez, Stepnica. The city of Szczecin and Western Pomeranian Province are one of the most attractive tourist regions in Poland. <b>How to get to Szczecin?</b><br><br> The most convenient way of reaching the city by car is to take the A11 Motorway from Berlin, or the A20 Motorway from Lubeck. Tourists travelling by train can choose from a wide selection of railway connections (at http://rozklad.pkp.pl/ and www.bahn.de). Additionally, as a means of promoting traveling by train, the holders of DB Schönes-Wochenende-tickets, Berlin-Brandenburg-tickets or Mecklenburg-Vorpommern-tickets will also be entitled to travel free on Szczecin’s public transport. Also, the enthusiasts of sailing will have no difficulty in reaching Szczecin. The shortest water route from Berlin to the Baltic Sea goes via Szczecin. Tourists from more distant parts of the globe can fly into the Goleniow airport, situated 45 km from Szczecin. The Polish Airlines LOT provide shuttle buses between from the airport and the city centre (Prior reservation required, valid with the flight ticket). The ride takes about 50 minutes and ends at Al. Wyzwolenia 17 in front of the LOT office. Alternatively, for PLN 9,90 per person, tourists can take a minibus running to the bus station in Szczecin (organized by: Interglobus Tour) The taxi fare with the Airport Taxi Group is PLN 120.

The history of Szczecin began in 7th century. At that time, Szczecin was inhabited by a small Western Slavonic tribe. In the years 967 – 972, Pomerania was conquered by the Polish prince Mieszko I and Szczecin became a feudal estate. In 1005, Pomeranians gained independence. Not once tried the Polish government to unify Pomerania with the mainland. Boleslaus II of Poland invited Otto of Bamberg who baptized the citizens of Szczecin in 1124. Christianization was carried on and in 1128 the first Christian church of St. Peter and Paul was established. During 1184 – 1227 Szczecin was under Danish sovereignty. In 12th century German people began to arrive to Szczecin. The German community expended and absorbed old Slavonic town in 1237. Szczecin received the municipal rights in 1243 and became a permanent duke’s residence. The Gryphites’ dynasty built up an autonomous Pomeranian state and governed in Pomerania over 500 years. In 17th century, the Thirty Years’ War caused economic breakdown of Szczecin. In consequence of the Peace of Westphalia the Pomeranian Duchy was divided between Sweden and Brandenburg. For the next 90 years Szczecin was under the Swedish rule and the economic situation got worse. The city was cut off from main trading area. In 1720, Szczecin was included to Prussia on the basis of the Stockholm’ Treaty. The shipbuilding industry revived and the town was an important center of industry again. In 1806 – 1813, Szczecin became a fortress for Napoleon’s army. It brought about a fall in population and economic collapse of the town. However, it was partly for French Huguenots that the town started to develop in 18th century. The population increased from 6000 in 1720 to 21?000 in 1816 and 58?000 in 1861. The port was developing quickly. More than 95% of the population at that time consisted of Germans. After World War I, the economy of Szczecin declined again. Between 1910 and 1939, the population grew from 236?000 to 382?000. During World War II Szczecin was a major centre of weapons industry. At that time, 60 – 70% of the buildings and 90% of industrial objects were destroyed. Szczecin was one of the 20 most ruined towns of Germany. In 1945, the Great Threesome decided that Szczecin would be a part of Poland. The town was renamed from German Stettin to Polish Szczecin. The German inhabitants were expelled from the town. Szczecin was settled with the new inhabitants from every region of Poland. It was not easy to raise the town from ruins. Szczecin was one of the centres of the anti-communist movements in 1968 and 1970. The communist administration was abolished and replaced by democratic local government in 1990.