Szczecin is Poland's most unappreciated city 🇵🇱 See it for yourself

Welcome to part two of our two part tour of one of Poland's major cities. Szczecin is unappreciated, forgotten by many, and filled with potential. Had those moms on the train not told me about the city, I might never have visited. Truly, even to some Polish natives, they joke on whether the city even exist?
I can tell you first hand it does. Resting on the Oder River, there are parks galore, an old town, churches, restaurants, and everything else that is quintessential Poland. While it's not Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, or Lublin, this is still a city worth visiting and taking in.
Enjoy the walking tour and travel vlog. Along the way we will explore the streets, assess the architecture, and find some things to do for future visits.
Part 1:
• Does Szczecin really e...
Let me know what you think and if you enjoyed the tour. Will you plan to check out this city on your next visit to Poland?
00:00 Colorado
01:35 Pomnik "Prometeusz" w Szczecinie and Theater District
04:00 Starzyńskiego
05:00 Park Żeromskiego
08:50 Jacka Malczewskiego Apartments
12:40 Generała Ludomiła Rayskiego
15:05 Plac Grunwaldzki
20:20 Plac Rodła
22:29 Zamek Książąt Pomorskich w Szczecinie
25:15 Old Town Hall and Rynek
27:30 Parafia św. Jana Ewangelisty
#polska #poland #szczecin #walkingtour #poland #walkingaround #architecture #churches #catholicchurch #lighthearted #restaurants #goodfood #restaurant #murals #graffiti #storyteller #storytime #travelvlog #travelvlogger #vlog #polandtravel #murals #reallife #realart #history #historylove #exploring #exploringvlog #bestplaces #introverted #rivers #infj #ww2 #germany #polandtravel #expat #expatlife #apartments #reallife

[@dsekowski85]

Thats my home town! I was livig in ther for almost 30 years! Now i miss this City so much! If you wana now anything abot that City i am free and happy to help

[@TravelwithMrJon]

Thank you, I will let you know if I do. This was from a one day stop over I did back in February. @dsekowski85

[@dsekowski85]

@@TravelwithMrJon No worries mate

[@mamuttme]

9:28 beginning of the 60s. My grandmother used to live in the green building in the back of that shot :)

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@manuttme that’s awesome. I am glad I caught the green building ☺️

[@mdnnka3563]

Szczecin is the most beautiful city in the world. I was born and raised in Szczecin. I'd appreciate the walk without the narrative (nothing personal). Just to take in the sounds of the city. Thanks so much!

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@mdnnka3563 my walking vlogs always have narrative so hopefully you muted and enjoyed the streets. The second one has more streets and views too. Nice city.

[@RicSimanePL]

Cool that You have visited our city. Lovely video. I have some fun facts about things You have seen or told in the video :) 3:05 - that "tea house" is building from 1928 known as the Gravedigger's House. As someone mentioned this park used to be a cemetery and the the cemetery's gardener used to live there. Now it's a music club. 13:00 - speaking of contrast if You would just walk 300 meters towards that big glassy building you would notice a single XIX century residence surrounded by commie blocks 17:00 - Poland didn't have an underground army in Szczecin. At that time this was a German city for quite a while. 18:20 - that pharmacy behind You still has original furniture (as far as I know) which is very rare. Most old furniture didn't survive the war because if it wasn't destroyed in bombings then most likely it was chopped to pieces and burned in chimneys. 19:53 - They are not xD 21:55 - speaking of some "forgotten" polish cities with almost no tourists I would recommend going to Olsztyn. 25:43 - that "funky color building" is an art school and it's the only building in this area that survived the bombings in a shape that didn't require it's demolition. Almost everything else you see is new

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@RicSimanePL thank you for all the cool facts and bits of information. I ended up traveling to Olsztyn a few weeks ago and filmed. That should be out next week. As for the underground army part, I swear I read there were Polish sabatogers (spelling) who traveled to this city during the war. Weren't they part of the underground?

[@RicSimanePL]

@@TravelwithMrJon Interesting, I've read a bit about the Szczecin's history during the war but never heard of any polish saboteurs. Maybe it's something I've missed but I also doubt it. The city had a very small polish minority at that time and most Poles here during the war were forced labourers held in work camps. The city itself was very far from pre war polish borders so that would be a long travel for any underground forces.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@@RicSimanePL I understood the distance as well, but I just recall reading one of the history markers while in the city. Could be wrong which is fine too. I didn't know prior to the war Szczecin was so big for car production.

[@user-eb6id4bi9r]

Oh, Jonathan, the communist blocks, really? You missed few interesting places. just mentioning Jasne Błonia, beautiful place with spectacular blooming crocuses at the time. I would encourage parents and recommend new place in the city: Morskie Centum Nauki for hours of amusement and learning both for younger and older kids.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

I did my thing going for a walk. We don't have those blocks in the USA so I find them interesting to walk around. Granted, I did find it odd where they were located. Morskie Centum ... I will make a note. @user-eb6id4bi9r

[@mecx7322]

19:44: PZM is the headquarters of Polska Zegluga Morska ( Polish Steamship Company ), biggest Polish shipowner. It owns and operates about 100 medium-size bulk cargo vessels all over the world. Szczecin Shipyard was in the past the main supplier of ships for this huge company but nowadays most of them are ordered in China, Turkey and so on.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@mecx7322 thanks for that bit of information. I wondered about that.

[@mecx7322]

@@TravelwithMrJonIn case of any doubts you can always ask me or somebody else. Brgds 😀

[@OGCziken]

Most of the parks here in Szczecin were german cemeteries.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

I wasn't aware of this. That's an interesting bit of information.

[@andrzejkrasnicki]

Nonsens. Only few corners in few parks were occupied by graves. I live in Szczecin since 1951 and remember very well such SMALL areas.

[@MikhailTravels]

Привет ☕️ 🍩 🫖 🙋🏼‍♂️ Замечательное видео 🔝📹👍🏻🫠✅️

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@MikhailTravels Спасибо за просмотр. Thanks for watching.

[@MikhailTravels]

@@TravelwithMrJon 🤝🏻🙋🏼‍♂️✌🏻

[@radsec]

Great video as always...enjoy Poland!

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@radsec thank you for watching. I enjoyed the trip and Poland. Can't wait to go back.

[@kalinak_z1055]

Miło, że odwiedziłeś moje miasto i nagrałeś to👌🇵🇱♥️ Zapraszamy o każdej porze roku 👌👌👌👌

[@TravelwithMrJon]

Thank you for very much. I hope to return in better weather :) @kalinak_z1055 Although February wasn't too bad.

[@fookee73]

I think you must read a litltte bit more about history of our town.The "Eagle" you saw so many times is not an eagle itself just a symbolic half eagle and half lion mythical ,guardian creature (with Mesopotamic - Babilonian - Sumer roots), a good spirit of the City and throughout of West Pomerania region, called "Griffin" , taken out from the ancient legends passed down by people who lived here before Christianization and then gave the name for Griffins Dukes Dynasty who took it as their Coat of Arms. When it comes to the city"s buildings and their diversity of wich you are so suprised you have to go back to the years 1941-1944 when the mostly American bombing raids began on Szczecin,which was then an important ,strategic point with a predominance of the German arms industry including the construction of warships and u-bots. In one of such raids,on April 20,1944 about 350 allied bombers carried out a carpet bombing that destroyed the entire old town,including residential buildings close to the Oder River boulevards and most of the downtown and kills in huricane of flames about 1500 civilians. The only building that survived halfway was the New Red City Hall that you admired at the beginning. All the old buildings, churches and tenement houses you saw were rebuilt after the war by Poles. Unfortunately, 80 % of them could not be rebuilt, they were demolisshed and the bricks from these ruins were used to rebuild other Polish cities, including Warsaw, wich was razed to the ground. Earlier, Russian troops took all the valuble artifacts and equipment left by the Germans, including all working machinery and all factory equipments, from the city deep into Russia. So yes...Szczecin is a diffrent city. Next time you visit us, reserve some more time because you omitted many wonderful places and monuments in your story that are really worth seeing and recording with a camera. I have pasted some links at the bottom that will help you expand your knowledge about our beautiful city 🙂 en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=House_of_Griffin&oldid=1235571580 en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coat_of_arms_of_Szczecin&oldid=1160449876 en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tiamat&oldid=1235117169 kzbin.info/www/bejne/omSnd5-ke76FZtUsi=jDKnLZ9IN3-opHTO kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYLTZKdtq8ZgbNUsi=7nwoJGPFloXoM99Q kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZTFZpdrZbx9aZosi=ns85FObJ5YCPupOE

[@TravelwithMrJon]

Thanks for the feedback. I was aware that it was a griffin, but for comedic effect, to play up a dumb American tourist, I elected to go the eagle and bird route. I forgot the American bombings were the cause for much of the damage. I filmed this back in February and was passing through. I imagine you expect all travel vlogs to be accurate in their knowledge and history - but frankly I don't have the time as a full time teacher. Thank you for sending this information to learn more about the city. I'm glad people are watching the vlogs (did 2) and it's bringing more attention to the area.

[@fookee73]

​ I understand you perfectly and believe that no one is laughing at you, you will always be welcome. Visit us when it's warm and everything is green, that's the best time. In a week, we will have a gathering of the largest sailing ships from around the world. Why don't you come over for the weekend?

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@@fookee73 I would love to, but my summer vacation is now over. I just finished a 2 week tour of Poland. In fact my Bialystok vlog posted yesterday with a second tomorrow.

[@user-lt3qu4jd9x]

Amazing❤

[@TravelwithMrJon]

It's a cool city for sure. @user-lt3qu4jd9x

[@user-lt3qu4jd9x]

@@TravelwithMrJon i'm excited to move there...

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@@user-lt3qu4jd9x Good luck with your move. May it be a wonderful experience.

[@user-lt3qu4jd9x]

@@TravelwithMrJon thanks

[@benwars9524]

When will you explore Kalisz (one of Poland's oldest towns)? A unique example of extensive rebuilding (or building anew, after WW1 destruction by the Kaiser's army) along Modernist lines of the inter-war period, not post-WW2 communist-style design.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@benwars9524 I will have to add this to a future trip as I'm back in the USA now. Thanks for adding this town to the list :)

[@jaceksza621]

Szczecin's tourists places are spread all over the city, not like in most of other polish cities, where you have a core-old-town with hundreds of restaurants and few museums spread. Urban plan was made by Napoleon's architect, which is perfectly seen on google maps. Plac Grunwaldzki is in the middle of the the streets' mosaic. Unfortunately, we have a mix of old-historic, renovated-mint&pink communist and new (after 1990) buildings rebuild on foundations of historical once. You have to know that the real old town around the Cathedral was destroyed in WW2. Communists didn't want to rebuild Cathedral, so they build up with purpose an ugly residential blocks around with even car-mechanic services, making this place "cut off from religious history ". Today it would cost too much to destroy them all and rebuild the whole old town. That's why this ugly district doesn't fit to cathedral surrounding. Polish cities you should visit in full spring and summer. Then go to see Szczwcin's boulevards with city-beach and yacht-marina opposite Colorado restaurant where you ate. The must-see would be then also the whole Main Axis from castle up to rose-gardens crossing Jasne Błonia with hundreds of over 100 year old fancy shaped maple trees alley, blooming fields of magnolias and fancy-shaped amphitheater. Don't get me wrong, but me, experiencing since years the whole ambient of Szczecin's beauty, I was looking through your camera at my city completely disappointed. Gray and boring. I wouldn't visit my own town although you did what you could at this season. Thanks for visiting my town.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@jaceksza621 I was glad I got to see it in a grey time of year. I think that's when parks shine more and some of the buildings, the ambiance. Indeed, I think this city is best seen in warmer weather especially when the tall ships are in. Thanks for watching :)

[@mobo8074]

Sylwester is a saxophonist, local jazzman and culture guy. If you like jazz, look him up on KZbin.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@mobo8074 I will look him up. Thanks.

[@buddavaio]

„Kazimierz Dolny - Poland's Neverland, one of the most beautiful places to visit in this country!”kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3rHnWaGlNmKiKMsi=Xwj_s2LnCpKa8ShS

[@thaddausgriech4542]

a to reklama skrajnego prawicowca, zapewno jestes pokoleniowiec sljedzika bialo-ruskiego, o historii sljedzikow bialo ruskich nie musze tobie mowic, bo napewno znacz jak, takze twoi dziadkowie sljedzikow bialo-ruskich podszywali sie za Polakow po IIWS i wysylali do obozow pracy niewinnych Polakow na Sybir, a do tego zajmowali ich majatki, az 140 tys. ludzi zostalo wyslanych do obozow pracy i to, dzieki sljedzikow bialo-ruskich, a propos Wolyn to, jest male piwo do sljedzikow bialo-ruskich, a teraz Polacy powinni sljedziki zakonserwowac w puszki i wyslac z powrotem do Bialo-rusi razem z toba sledziku, takze widac po twoim kanale neofaszysto, ze psujesz sie od glowy, bo historie pokazuje sie ta parawdziwa, a nie ta zrobiona prze propagadzistow pisowskich miedzy innymi przez towarzyszke Balbine, Czarneka oraz przez KonfederuSSie ! a propos pokoleniowych sljedzikow mamy sporo w naszym kraju, takze w polityce poczawszy od Pawlowicz, Bakiewicza, Piotrowicza, Szafranowa, Macierewicza itd. i wszystkie nazwiska konczace sie na ...wicz to, sa typowe nazwiska dla bialo-ruskich, tak jak dla Polakow konczacych sie na ...ski/wscy itp

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@buddavaio I'm sure I'll get there eventually.

[@Logarinq]

Witam. Ja mimo, że jestem ze Szczecina to jednak nie bardzo lubię te miasto. Strasznie szare, bure i ponure. W zasadzie nie ma tu nawet nic ciekawego do zwiedzania. Teraz może Makłowicz coś pokazał fajnego ale w zasadzie poza tym nic więcej tu nie ma. Całe miasto wiecznie rozkopane. Dostać się gdzieś czy zaparkować autem też dramat. Jest niby Cafe22, Bar Pasztecik, Paprykarz, Jezioro Szmaragdowe, Wały Chrobrego, Łasztownia, Dźwigozaury, Bulwary odrzańskie - nawet spoko, Platforma widokowa w centrum nauki, Filharmonia którą śmiało można pominąć bo kto tam chodzi ? Netto Arena no ok o ile są jakieś mecze siatkówki czy koszykówki to nawet spoko opcja. Jezioro Głębokie, Orle Gniazdo, Muzeum komunikacji, Bar mleczny Turysta - to to lubię tam dobre shake i naleśniki są. Paszteciki na Wyszyńskiego - tłuste ale kultowe. Chodziłem tam za dzieciaka i chodzę do dziś. Punkt widokowy na wieży katedry, Zamek Książąt Pomorskich, Park Arkoński z Amfiteatrem, GoKart Center przy Silver Hotel, Centrum gokartowe na Wojska Polskiego ale pod chmurką. Najstarsze Kino na świecie. CH Galaxy - spoko ale centrum jak centrum. Niczym się nie wyróżnia. Brakuje np kina Imax 3D oraz wieży widokowej jak Berlinie. A tak ? Nuda i flaki z olejem. Pozdrawiam.

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@Logarinq thanks for sharing. You shared a lot of possible places to visit and things to do even if it's a boring city. This is more than many places I have visited. - Makes me want to go back for more, at least in the summer weather.

[@nonperson22]

1. "You do parks better than others". So when is the next episode of the series - Things that are better in Poland than in the United States ? 🤔 2. There were a lot of arguments and fights, and one day Knuckles kicked Sonic out of the house. Then Sonic said - I'm moving to Poland, there are a lot of parks there 👍✌🦔 3. 7:10 cool water pump 4. You called Warsaw Moscow again. You will have to walk around Warsaw wearing a mask so that you won't be recognized 😅🤗 5. 19:30 The third part of Blues Brothers was supposed to be filmed in Szczecin 😉😎 6. 25:10 Why didn't you try this device 😉😅 7. Another church open, another success 👍✌

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@nonperson22 1. Do we really need a fifth or sixth episode? I would be saying the same things but maybe with a clip or two to support it. How about what will shock you about Poland.... 2. That explains it. I'm glad I found Sonic I was worried. 3. Agreed. I want one. 4. I'm not sure why I keep saying Moscow... I think it's because I visited 25 years ago. Made an impression. Warsaw citizens are not going to be happy. I might have said it again in Warsaw during a future vlog. We'll see. 5. I knew it! 6. It didn't look safe. I did think about it, but wasn't sure how to film and use it at the same time. The burdens of traveling solo on this trip. 7. I didn't show you the church in the castle I tried to get into only to have it locked... When are you going to visit this city?

[@nonperson22]

@@TravelwithMrJon 1. Make enough episodes to surpass the number of episodes of The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones 😉 Nothing will shock me in Poland 😅🤣but you can do some episodes for foreigners who watch your channel Szczecin is too far away, so I won't visit it. Good thing you showed it to me

[@TravelwithMrJon]

So if Szczecin is too far away, maybe more content of Bialystok then since I lost all that footage. 1. That's a lot of episodes. Are there really that many positive things to say? One thing I would say though there are fewer Americans in Poland, so that's a plus.@@nonperson22

[@nonperson22]

@@TravelwithMrJon Ok Białystok, the Branicki Palace is awesome 😊 You don't like Americans ? 🤔After all, they are your compatriots 🤗🤭

[@TravelwithMrJon]

One of my favorite places. I wish I had visited this past holiday but alas I want to go in warmer weather to meet the buffalo. Americans are too Yankee for me lol@@nonperson22

[@EA00000]

Szczecin is ugly city

[@TravelwithMrJon]

@EA00000 I bet you can name an uglier one. I think it's pretty in places.

[@mrwr7308]

​@@TravelwithMrJonAs a native resident of Szczecin, who has visited many other Polish cities, I must admit that Szczecin is one of the ugliest cities in Poland. Of course, you can find some nice corners, but in general the city is very ugly and neglected, But if you like visiting various, often unknown parts of cities, I recommend visiting the eastern part of Szczecin called "Prawobrzeże" that is, the right-bank part of Szczecin. Of course, this part of Szczecin does not have as many restaurants as the city center and is primarily more residential but in my opinion it is much nicer than in the city center. In general, I recommend visiting other small towns around Szczecin For example Stargard or Gryfino and the so-called crooked forest located near Gryfino. Świnoujście is definitely a nice city to visit, which is located exactly on the corner of Poland, right on the Polish-German border. Enjoy your visit Jon. 😊

[@TravelwithMrJon]

I saw Stargard on my train ride in and wanted to jump off and explore. I liked the energy. Your suggestions are noted should I return to that area. Was only an overnight trip while I visited a few different cities. @@mrwr7308

[@mrwr7308]

You can do whatever you want, but I think there are several towns in Western Pomerania that are worth visiting, including Stargard. Personally, I recommend the town of Wolin as well as the entire island of Wolin and Świnoujście. Enjoy your trip. ❤️

[@TravelwithMrJon]

They all sound promising, thanks.@@mrwr7308