| HISTORY
The Teutonic Knights started to build a fortified
castle of Bytów in 1398-1405. They chose a hill situated
over the town for the location of the castle. The hill
had perfect natural defence conditions. The building
was raised on a 70m x 50m quadrangle. The courtyard
was surrounded by stone and brick walls which had 3-metre
thick foundations. The walls had a watchtower and three
turrets in the corners. The castle defence system in
the east consisted of moats, the approaches of the castle
and a drawbridge. The castle, considered to be modern,
performed many functions. It served, among others, as
a border watchtower, the seat of the Teutonic Knights
administration and as a wayside inn for knights travelling
from western Europe to the capital of the Teutonic Knights
country, Malbork. During the Thirteen-year War, the
castle of Bytów was taken over by the king of Poland,
Kazimierz Jagiellończyk, who made Bytów and its neighbourhood
a lifelong donation for the duke of Pomorze (a region
in the north-west part of Poland), Gryfit – Eryk II.
In those times, the castle served as the duke’s summer
residence. Throughout centuries its functions were changing.
After finishing the redecoration of the east wing in
1974 it was made a library. In 1980 the south wing started
to be used as a hotel and a restaurant. The buildings
of the north wing became a seat for the Museum of West
Kaszuby (a region in the north-west part of Poland).
Nowadays, the Knights Society of Kaszuby and Pomorze
at the castle of Bytów organises knight’s tournaments
which are a big attraction for tourists staying in this
exceptionally beautiful place. The tourist will find
clean, ecological environment and a friendly climate
in Bytów. The relief of the neighbourhood is verified.
Numerous forests are like a magnet for lovers of hikes
and bicycle trips as well as for hunters and for undergrowth
pickers. The well-developed hydrographic system creates
perfect conditions for the development of lake navigation
and for canoeing trips. Reserves and marked routes make
the tourist value of the area of Bytów high. The most
recommended routes are, among others: a bicycle route
Miastko-Bytów-Lębork-Łeba; a canoeing trip on the Słupia;
a trail from Rekowo to Kłęczno and two marked hikes:
a blue one and a green one.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
The Bytów Tourist Information Office 2 Zamkowa St. tel.
059 822 55 97, e-mail: boit@epf.pl
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The Museum, 2 Zamkowa St. tel. 059 822 26 23
The Museum - open daily except Mondays from 10.00 a.m.
to 6.oo p.m. from Tuesday to Friday and from 10.00 a.m.
to 4.00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; outside summer
season open from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. from Tuesday
to Sunday.
Exhibitions - an ethnographic collection containing
precious memorabilia of the Bytów region; a collection
of contemporary folk handcrafts and arts (embroideries,
sculptures, horn carved objects, glass and canvass paintings);
collections of the Arts and History Department (old
prints, portraits of Dukes of Pomerania, furniture,
armouries and weapons, medals).
EVENTS - in the summer seasons: Days of Bytów, Grand
Chivalric Tournament 'The Pomeranian Griffon', the Folk
Festival 'Days of Kaszuby'.
CULTURE
The Community Centre, 12 Wojska Polskiego St. tel. 059
822 25 44
The "Wieża" Gallery, 2 Staroko¶cielna St.
tel. 059 822 50 09
ACCOMODATION
The "Zamek" Hotel, 2 Zamkowa St. tel. 059
822 20 94, www.hotelzamek.com.pl
The "Bismarck" Hotel, D±bie near Bytów, tel.
059 822 74 74
The "Dana" Hotel, 1 Derdowskiego St. tel.
059 822 60 47
The "Dom Sportowca" Hotel, 13 Mickiewicza
St. tel. 059 822 22 57
The "Ułan W" Guest - house, 10 Tartaczna St.
tel. 059 822 32 47
RESTAURANTS
"Zamek", 2 Zamkowa St. tel. 059 822 20 94
"Bismarck", D±bie near Bytów, tel. 059 822
74 74
"Ja¶ Kowalski", 3 Zaułek Drozdowy St. tel.
059 822 55 04
"Kaszubianka", 26 Wojska Polskiego St. tel.
059 822 26 42
"Wik-Joy", 10 Wojska Polskiego St. tel. 059
822 51 21
The Town Office
1 Maja St., phone: 059 822 20 11
www.bytow.com.pl
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