Darłowo
Darłowo (Polish pronunciation: [darˈwɔvɔ]; Kashubian: Dërłowò), known historically under the German name Rügenwalde, is a seaside town in the West Pomeranian Region, at the south coast of the Baltic Sea, north-western Poland, with 13,324 inhabitants as of December 2021. It is located in Sławno County in West Pomeranian Voivodeship on the Slovincian Coast.
Darłowo | |
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Coat of arms | |
Darłowo | |
| Coordinates: 54°25′15″N 16°24′35″E | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | West Pomeranian |
| County | Sławno |
| Gmina | Darłowo (urban gmina) |
| City rights | 1271 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Arkadiusz Wojciech Klimowicz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19.93 km2 (7.70 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2021) | |
| • Total | 13,324 |
| • Density | 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
| Postal code | 76–150 and 76–153 |
| Area code | +48 94 |
| Car plates | ZSL |
| National roads | |
| Voivodeship roads | |
| Website | http://www.darlowo.pl/ |
The earliest archaeological signs of a settlement in the area occurred when Roman merchants travelled along the Amber Road in the hope of trading precious metals like bronze and silver for amber. By the 11th century the location of the later town was already becoming a significant trading point. The settlement received its town rights in 1312. Over the years Dukes of Pomerania constructed a Ducal Castle called Dirlow on a nearby island and chose it as their seat.
It was here that the largest artillery piece in the world, Schwerer Gustav, was constructed and tested by Nazi Germany during World War II.
The original medieval outline of Darłowo has been preserved to this day. The Old Town, Ducal Castle and local beaches are popular among holidaymakers. Darłowo is also an important historical centre as it is the birthplace and burial site of Eric of Pomerania, King of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.