Polska, Poland, Polen

In the course of the German eastward expansion settlers settled near an existing Slavic settlement. A village with a surrounding wall was created. In 1255 the "new" settlement of Kolberg received the town charter according to the "Lübsches Stadtrecht". In 1277 Kolberg became part of the Cammin Abbey, the bishop's secular domain. Kolberg probably belonged to the Hanseatic League and remained in this association until 1610. In this heyday of the town, salt production, salt trade and fishing were the main sources of income of Kolberg and brought great prosperity. In 1442, there was a conflict between the Bishop of Cammin and Kolberg, as a result of which the Bishop besieged the town, but Kolberg successfully repelled the attack. From 1530 the Reformation was introduced in Kolberg, and in 1534 the Catholic institutions in the town were abolished by a decision of the town council. In the 17th century, Kolberg depopulated due to the plague and the Thirty Years' War with its effects. In 1627 imperial troops occupied the town and fortified it. In 1631 Swedish troops conquered Kolberg after a five-month siege. Kolberg came to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, but was not given up by the Kingdom of Sweden until 1653. The Kołobrzeg Cathedral ("Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny") was started around 1300. It was completed in the first stage in 1321 and had the form of a three-nave hall church. After that, the presbytery, two aisles and the tower were gradually built. After the Reformation in Pomerania, the church became Protestant in 1531. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cathedral was in very poor condition. Multiple sieges and enemy shelling and fires had severely damaged it. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the cathedral finally underwent extensive restoration. In March 1945, the church was severely damaged during the capture of Kolberg by Soviet troops. The vault of the nave collapsed, the entire church burned out. Until the 1960s, the Museum of Polish Arms used the half-destroyed church to display military objects. The reconstruction of the church began after the ruins were transferred to the Catholic Church in 1974. There were 22 Gothic altars in this church originally. Four of them have survived the times. One is in the National Museum in Szczecin, three are still here. They were created at the turn around 1500. Here is the altar of St. Anna and St. Nicholas In the centre are the figures of St. Anne Selbdritt and St. Nicholas. The founder of the altar was Katarzyna Baden, daughter of the mayor of Kolobrzeg.

In the course of the German eastward expansion settlers settled near an existing Slavic settlement. A village with a surrounding wall was created. In 1255 the "new" settlement of Kolberg received the town charter according to the "Lübsches Stadtrecht". In 1277 Kolberg became part of the Cammin Abbey, the bishop's secular domain. Kolberg probably belonged to the Hanseatic League and remained in this association until 1610. In this heyday of the town, salt production, salt trade and fishing were the main sources of income of Kolberg and brought great prosperity. In 1442, there was a conflict between the Bishop of Cammin and Kolberg, as a result of which the Bishop besieged the town, but Kolberg successfully repelled the attack. From 1530 the Reformation was introduced in Kolberg, and in 1534 the Catholic institutions in the town were abolished by a decision of the town council. In the 17th century, Kolberg depopulated due to the plague and the Thirty Years' War with its effects. In 1627 imperial troops occupied the town and fortified it. In 1631 Swedish troops conquered Kolberg after a five-month siege. Kolberg came to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, but was not given up by the Kingdom of Sweden until 1653. The Kołobrzeg Cathedral ("Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny") was started around 1300. It was completed in the first stage in 1321 and had the form of a three-nave hall church. After that, the presbytery, two aisles and the tower were gradually built. After the Reformation in Pomerania, the church became Protestant in 1531. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cathedral was in very poor condition. Multiple sieges and enemy shelling and fires had severely damaged it. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the cathedral finally underwent extensive restoration. In March 1945, the church was severely damaged during the capture of Kolberg by Soviet troops. The vault of the nave collapsed, the entire church burned out. Until the 1960s, the Museum of Polish Arms used the half-destroyed church to display military objects. The reconstruction of the church began after the ruins were transferred to the Catholic Church in 1974. There were 22 Gothic altars in this church originally. Four of them have survived the times. One is in the National Museum in Szczecin, three are still here. They were created at the turn around 1500. The "Adoration of Magi"

In the course of the German eastward expansion settlers settled near an existing Slavic settlement. A village with a surrounding wall was created. In 1255 the "new" settlement of Kolberg received the town charter according to the "Lübsches Stadtrecht". In 1277 Kolberg became part of the Cammin Abbey, the bishop's secular domain. Kolberg probably belonged to the Hanseatic League and remained in this association until 1610. In this heyday of the town, salt production, salt trade and fishing were the main sources of income of Kolberg and brought great prosperity. In 1442, there was a conflict between the Bishop of Cammin and Kolberg, as a result of which the Bishop besieged the town, but Kolberg successfully repelled the attack. From 1530 the Reformation was introduced in Kolberg, and in 1534 the Catholic institutions in the town were abolished by a decision of the town council. In the 17th century, Kolberg depopulated due to the plague and the Thirty Years' War with its effects. In 1627 imperial troops occupied the town and fortified it. In 1631 Swedish troops conquered Kolberg after a five-month siege. Kolberg came to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, but was not given up by the Kingdom of Sweden until 1653. The Kołobrzeg Cathedral ("Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny") was started around 1300. It was completed in the first stage in 1321 and had the form of a three-nave hall church. After that, the presbytery, two aisles and the tower were gradually built. After the Reformation in Pomerania, the church became Protestant in 1531. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cathedral was in very poor condition. Multiple sieges and enemy shelling and fires had severely damaged it. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the cathedral finally underwent extensive restoration. In March 1945, the church was severely damaged during the capture of Kolberg by Soviet troops. The vault of the nave collapsed, the entire church burned out. Until the 1960s, the Museum of Polish Arms used the half-destroyed church to display military objects. The reconstruction of the church began after the ruins were transferred to the Catholic Church in 1974. The baptismal font was cast in bronze by local craftsman Jan Alart in 1355. The font is supported by figures of four lions. On the side of it are 26 relief scenes from the life of Christ arranged in two horizontal rows. A Latin inscription surrounds the baptismal font: (translated:) "In the year of our Lord 1355 made by Jan Alart".

In the course of the German eastward expansion settlers settled near an existing Slavic settlement. A village with a surrounding wall was created. In 1255 the "new" settlement of Kolberg received the town charter according to the "Lübsches Stadtrecht". In 1277 Kolberg became part of the Cammin Abbey, the bishop's secular domain. Kolberg probably belonged to the Hanseatic League and remained in this association until 1610. In this heyday of the town, salt production, salt trade and fishing were the main sources of income of Kolberg and brought great prosperity. In 1442, there was a conflict between the Bishop of Cammin and Kolberg, as a result of which the Bishop besieged the town, but Kolberg successfully repelled the attack. From 1530 the Reformation was introduced in Kolberg, and in 1534 the Catholic institutions in the town were abolished by a decision of the town council. In the 17th century, Kolberg depopulated due to the plague and the Thirty Years' War with its effects. In 1627 imperial troops occupied the town and fortified it. In 1631 Swedish troops conquered Kolberg after a five-month siege. Kolberg came to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, but was not given up by the Kingdom of Sweden until 1653. The Kołobrzeg Cathedral ("Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny") was started around 1300. It was completed in the first stage in 1321 and had the form of a three-nave hall church. After that, the presbytery, two aisles and the tower were gradually built. After the Reformation in Pomerania, the church became Protestant in 1531. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cathedral was in very poor condition. Multiple sieges and enemy shelling and fires had severely damaged it. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the cathedral finally underwent extensive restoration. In March 1945, the church was severely damaged during the capture of Kolberg by Soviet troops. The vault of the nave collapsed, the entire church burned out. Until the 1960s, the Museum of Polish Arms used the half-destroyed church to display military objects. The reconstruction of the church began after the ruins were transferred to the Catholic Church in 1974. The baptismal font was cast in bronze by local craftsman Jan Alart in 1355. The font is supported by figures of four lions. On the side of it are 26 relief scenes from the life of Christ arranged in two horizontal rows. The Nativity scene is in the center. To the right outside the Annunciation, next to it the Visitation (the visit of Mary to Elizabeth) and to the left the Annunciation to the shepherds. A Latin inscription surrounds the baptismal font: (translated:) "In the year of our Lord 1355 made by Jan Alart".

In the course of the German eastward expansion settlers settled near an existing Slavic settlement. A village with a surrounding wall was created. In 1255 the "new" settlement of Kolberg received the town charter according to the "Lübsches Stadtrecht". In 1277 Kolberg became part of the Cammin Abbey, the bishop's secular domain. Kolberg probably belonged to the Hanseatic League and remained in this association until 1610. In this heyday of the town, salt production, salt trade and fishing were the main sources of income of Kolberg and brought great prosperity. In 1442, there was a conflict between the Bishop of Cammin and Kolberg, as a result of which the Bishop besieged the town, but Kolberg successfully repelled the attack. From 1530 the Reformation was introduced in Kolberg, and in 1534 the Catholic institutions in the town were abolished by a decision of the town council. In the 17th century, Kolberg depopulated due to the plague and the Thirty Years' War with its effects. In 1627 imperial troops occupied the town and fortified it. In 1631 Swedish troops conquered Kolberg after a five-month siege. Kolberg came to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, but was not given up by the Kingdom of Sweden until 1653. The Kołobrzeg Cathedral ("Bazylika konkatedralna Wniebowzięcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny") was started around 1300. It was completed in the first stage in 1321 and had the form of a three-nave hall church. After that, the presbytery, two aisles and the tower were gradually built. After the Reformation in Pomerania, the church became Protestant in 1531. At the beginning of the 18th century, the cathedral was in very poor condition. Multiple sieges and enemy shelling and fires had severely damaged it. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the cathedral finally underwent extensive restoration. In March 1945, the church was severely damaged during the capture of Kolberg by Soviet troops. The vault of the nave collapsed, the entire church burned out. Until the 1960s, the Museum of Polish Arms used the half-destroyed church to display military objects. The reconstruction of the church began after the ruins were transferred to the Catholic Church in 1974. The baptismal font was cast in bronze by local craftsman Jan Alart in 1355. The font is supported by figures of four lions. On the side of it are 26 relief scenes from the life of Christ arranged in two horizontal rows. Die Adoration of the Magi A Latin inscription surrounds the baptismal font: (translated:) "In the year of our Lord 1355 made by Jan Alart".

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The "Katedra Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny" (Immaculate Conception) was built between 1300 and 1333 as a three-nave basilica of the brick Gothic style. The massive, 56 meter high tower was built on the west side. From 1534 to 1945 it served as the main church of the Lutheran congregation. Since 1972 it has been the cathedral of the new diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg.

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The "Katedra Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny" (Immaculate Conception) was built between 1300 and 1333 as a three-nave basilica of the brick Gothic style. The massive, 56 meter high tower was built on the west side. From 1534 to 1945 it served as the main church of the Lutheran congregation. Since 1972 it has been the cathedral of the new diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg.

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The "Katedra Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny" (Immaculate Conception) was built between 1300 and 1333 as a three-nave basilica of the brick Gothic style. The massive, 56 meter high tower was built on the west side. From 1534 to 1945 it served as the main church of the Lutheran congregation. Since 1972 it has been the cathedral of the new diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. The large crucifix dates from the 14th century.

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The "Katedra Niepokalanego Poczęcia Najświętszej Maryi Panny" (Immaculate Conception) was built between 1300 and 1333 as a three-nave basilica of the brick Gothic style. The massive, 56 meter high tower was built on the west side. From 1534 to 1945 it served as the main church of the Lutheran congregation. Since 1972 it has been the cathedral of the new diocese of Koszalin-Kołobrzeg. This early Gothic baptismal font originally came from the island of Gotland. Along the southern Baltic coast there were no suitable stones for such work. However, these were available on Gotland, so that a veritable industry was able to develop on the island in the Middle Ages. The fonts were exported through the network of the Hanseatic League.

After Duke Boleslaw III (aka "Boleslaus the Wry-mouthed") had captured the tonws along the Balitic sea in 1107 the area became part of the Duchy of Pomerania, a vassal state of Poland and later of Denmark in 1185. It became part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1227. In 1266, the growing town was granted a charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht), autonomy and multiple privileges to attract German settlers from the west. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1386. As a result of German colonization, the town became mostly German-speaking. In 1516 local Germans enforced a ban on buying goods from Slavic speakers. It was also forbidden to accept native Slavs to craft guilds. In 1531 riots took place between supporters and opponents of the Protestant Reformation. In 1534 the city became mostly Lutheran under the influence of Johannes Bugenhagen. The city was granted to Brandenburg-Prussia after the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The Kaplica św. Gertrudy (Gertraudenkapelle) was erected in 1383 outside the city walls. Originally it served as a cemetery chapel. Its octagonal form may refer to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. After the Reformation the chapel became the property of Evangelical church. In 1735 the chapel was turned into an ammunition depot, which involved bricking up the windows. At the end of the 19th century the building served as a warehouse. It became a temple of the Old Lutheran Church. It was repaired and the roof was built in its present form.

Darlowo (Rügenwalde) was a trading point already in the 11th century, prorected by a fortress named Dirlow. The town, that evolved was destroyed in 1283 during a local war- It got rebuilt and received its city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1312. The town passed to the Duchy of Pomerania in 1347 and over the years Dukes constructed a Ducal Castle on a nearby island and chose it as their seat. In 1412 Rügenwalde (Darlowo) became part of the Hanseatic League and had its own trade fleet, larger than in other surrounding towns. Boats and ships owned by local merchants travelled as far as Normandy and Spain.

Darlowo (Rügenwalde) was a trading point already in the 11th century, prorected by a fortress named Dirlow. The town, that evolved was destroyed in 1283 during a local war- It got rebuilt and received its city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1312. The town passed to the Duchy of Pomerania in 1347 and over the years Dukes constructed a Ducal Castle on a nearby island and chose it as their seat. In 1412 Rügenwalde (Darlowo) became part of the Hanseatic League and had its own trade fleet, larger than in other surrounding towns. Boats and ships owned by local merchants travelled as far as Normandy and Spain. The Kościół Matki Bożej is a Gothic three-nave basilica with a 60-meter-high west tower. Its date of origin is the 14th century. In 1321 the Bishop of Cammin granted the patronage of the Rügenwald St. Mary's Church to the local nobilty. Around that time the erection of the building may have started, The church was destroyed by fire four times, so that probably only the outer walls, perhaps the vault, date from ancient times. The tower hosts a place for the tower keeper.

Darlowo (Rügenwalde) was a trading point already in the 11th century, prorected by a fortress named Dirlow. The town, that evolved was destroyed in 1283 during a local war- It got rebuilt and received its city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1312. The town passed to the Duchy of Pomerania in 1347 and over the years Dukes constructed a Ducal Castle on a nearby island and chose it as their seat. In 1412 Rügenwalde (Darlowo) became part of the Hanseatic League and had its own trade fleet, larger than in other surrounding towns. Boats and ships owned by local merchants travelled as far as Normandy and Spain. The Kościół Matki Bożej is a Gothic three-nave basilica with a 60-meter-high west tower. Its date of origin is the 14th century. In 1321 the Bishop of Cammin granted the patronage of the Rügenwald St. Mary's Church to the local nobilty. Around that time the erection of the building may have started, The church was destroyed by fire four times, so that probably only the outer walls, perhaps the vault, date from ancient times.

Darlowo (Rügenwalde) was a trading point already in the 11th century, prorected by a fortress named Dirlow. The town, that evolved was destroyed in 1283 during a local war- It got rebuilt and received its city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1312. The town passed to the Duchy of Pomerania in 1347 and over the years Dukes constructed a Ducal Castle on a nearby island and chose it as their seat. In 1412 Rügenwalde (Darlowo) became part of the Hanseatic League and had its own trade fleet, larger than in other surrounding towns. Boats and ships owned by local merchants travelled as far as Normandy and Spain. The Kościół Matki Bożej is a Gothic three-nave basilica with a 60-meter-high west tower. Its date of origin is the 14th century. In 1321 the Bishop of Cammin granted the patronage of the Rügenwald St. Mary's Church to the local nobilty. Around that time the erection of the building may have started, The church was destroyed by fire four times, so that probably only the outer walls, perhaps the vault, date from ancient times. In a tower chapel is the "Pomeranian Mausoleum". Here are - the sacrophagus of Eric of Pomerania (1381 - 1459). He is also known as Eric III as King of Norway (1389–1442), Eric VII as King of Denmark (1396–1439) and Eric XIII as King of Sweden (1396–1439). Eric was ultimately deposed from all three kingdoms of the union, but in 1449 he inherited one of the partitions of the Duchy of Pomerania and ruled it as duke until his death. - the sacrophagus of Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg (1580 – 1653). She was a Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg by birth and by marriage to Duke Bogislaw of Pomerania the Duchess of Pomerania-Stettin. - the sacrophagus of Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1595 – 1650). She was a Princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel by birth and by marriage to Ulrich of Pomerania the Duchess of Pomerania by marriage. Ulrich was Duke of Pomerania as well as Bishop of Cammin. The marriage lasted only three years and remained childless. Ulrich died at the age of 33 as a result of his heavy drinking.

Darlowo (Rügenwalde) was a trading point already in the 11th century, prorected by a fortress named Dirlow. The town, that evolved was destroyed in 1283 during a local war- It got rebuilt and received its city rights (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1312. The town passed to the Duchy of Pomerania in 1347 and over the years Dukes constructed a Ducal Castle on a nearby island and chose it as their seat. In 1412 Rügenwalde (Darlowo) became part of the Hanseatic League and had its own trade fleet, larger than in other surrounding towns. Boats and ships owned by local merchants travelled as far as Normandy and Spain. At the end of the 14th century a couple of St. Gertrudis hospitals were founded in Pomerania. This was among them. It was built in 1406 dedicated to the care of the poor, the sick and travelers. St. Gertrude's Church is a late Gothic central building. There are actually four such buildings in Pomerania. I had seen St. Gertrude's Chapel in Koszalin (Köslin) before.

Ustka (Stolpmünde) is located on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Slupia (Stolpe) into the Baltic Sea. On both sides of the town run wide sandy beaches, where tourists flock in the summer. The tourists are in the foreground, the replica of a Hanseatic cog is in the backdrop.

Słupsk (Stolpe) was a Pomeranian settlement in the early Middle Ages. The Dukes of Pomerelia granted the town charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1265. A decade later merchants and craftsmen from Westphalia and Holstein founded a new settlement. In 1294 Polish and Bohemian rulers tried to succeed in Pomerelia. Wenceslaus III awarded Stolp to the Brandenburg Ascanians After the fatal attempt on Wenceslas III's life, Wladyslaw I Ellenlang (aka "Ladislaus the Short") reasserted himself as ruler of Pomerelia in 1306 and declared themselves Brandenburg vassals in 1307. In 1308, the Brandenburg margraves invaded and tried to militarily enforce their previously acquired rights. However, they were ousted from Gdansk and the eastern parts of Pomerelia by the Teutonic Knights. However, they were able to hold their ground in the land of Stolp. In 1309, the Duchy of Pomerelia was divided between two feudal states. The western part went to the Brandenburgs, the larger rest including Danzig to the Teutonic Order. After Stolp became prosperous, the citizens acquired the port of Stolpmünde in 1337. In the 14th century the city was pledged to the Teutonic Order by the Pomeranian dukes, who were short of money because of numerous wars. Because the dukes could not redeem the town, but the inhabitants did not want to live under the rule of the Order, the citizens themselves raised the enormous redemption sum of 6,766 silver marks. In devastating fires of 1395 and 1477 the town burned down. In 1478 the plague raged in the town. A dispute with the dukes that lasted for years impoverished the town and forced it to leave the Hanseatic League. During the Thirty Years' War, Stolp was conquered by Swedes in 1630. Wallenstein's troops occupied the town in 1637, and Swedish troops drove them out and completely ruined Stolp. After the war ended in 1648, Stolp fell to Brandenburg in the Peace of Westphalia.

Słupsk (Stolpe) was a Pomeranian settlement in the early Middle Ages. The Dukes of Pomerelia granted the town charter (Lübsches Stadtrecht) in 1265. A decade later merchants and craftsmen from Westphalia and Holstein founded a new settlement. In 1294 Polish and Bohemian rulers tried to succeed in Pomerelia. Wenceslaus III awarded Stolp to the Brandenburg Ascanians After the fatal attempt on Wenceslas III's life, Wladyslaw I Ellenlang (aka "Ladislaus the Short") reasserted himself as ruler of Pomerelia in 1306 and declared themselves Brandenburg vassals in 1307. In 1308, the Brandenburg margraves invaded and tried to militarily enforce their previously acquired rights. However, they were ousted from Gdansk and the eastern parts of Pomerelia by the Teutonic Knights. However, they were able to hold their ground in the land of Stolp. In 1309, the Duchy of Pomerelia was divided between two feudal states. The western part went to the Brandenburgs, the larger rest including Danzig to the Teutonic Order. After Stolp became prosperous, the citizens acquired the port of Stolpmünde in 1337. In the 14th century the city was pledged to the Teutonic Order by the Pomeranian dukes, who were short of money because of numerous wars. Because the dukes could not redeem the town, but the inhabitants did not want to live under the rule of the Order, the citizens themselves raised the enormous redemption sum of 6,766 silver marks. In devastating fires of 1395 and 1477 the town burned down. In 1478 the plague raged in the town. A dispute with the dukes that lasted for years impoverished the town and forced it to leave the Hanseatic League. During the Thirty Years' War, Stolp was conquered by Swedes in 1630. Wallenstein's troops occupied the town in 1637, and Swedish troops drove them out and completely ruined Stolp. After the war ended in 1648, Stolp fell to Brandenburg in the Peace of Westphalia. Brama Mlyńska (Mill Gate) is part of the city fortifications. The fortifications were erected between the early 14th century and the mid-15th century. The 6.5 m high walls surrounded the town. This was one of three gates. The Mill Gate led to the town from the east, connecting to a road leading to Gdansk. The walls were also defended by the waters of the Slupia River. After the front had moved further west, the Old Town was set on fire by the Red Army. The gate was secured in ruins. Its rebuilding and renovation took place in 1965.