History and nature are the most characteristic attributes of Wolin city and commune. However, To show the historical heritage and the beauty of the region we need some years of hard work. After entering European Union in May 2004 the times have been changing.  More inhabitants with passion have realised that the power of the little Polish town lies in its roots...

The Wolin town is situated  on the Dziwna strait, on Wolin Island, in West Pomern (Zachodniopomorskie) Voivodeship and in the north-west part of Poland. Wolin town is the capital of the commune, which is the one of the biggest communes in the Voivodeship. This commune borders on Baltic Sea from north and the Bay of Szczecin from south. In the central part of island there is a national park, characterized by mild maritime climate, mysterious lakes, forests and marches.

The beginning of the town is dated on the 8^th century, when on the crossing through Dziwna strait the town was founded. There was the centre of the Wolinians tribe. But the golden ages of Wolin lasted from the end of the 8^th century BC till the end of the 12 century BC. Those time Wolin  was one of the three biggest towns in the Baltic Sea Region. It was inhabited by about 8 OOO – 10 OOO people. In fact, in the past in Wolin twice as many people lived then compared with …nowadays ( In 2002 the population in  the town numbered 5 000 and in the commune Wolin  - 13 000 inhabitants ). Slavic town had more inhabitants than two famous Scandinavian early medieval towns: Hedeby in Denmark and Birka near Stockholm. The power of Wolin laid in its placing. Wolin was situated on the cross of the great commercial roads of Europe, leading from North to South, and from West to East. By the sea the merchants came from Skandinavia, Bizantium, Asia, Russia and the Slavs from vicinity.  Here was the shipyard centre (8 wracks of old ships were found during the excavations). The archaeologists agreed that it was here where the biggest harbour in the Baltic See Region was (the embankment had longitude about 250 m).  It was the meeting place of various nations, cultures and languages. The merchant republic was known as the centre of production and handy crafts of Northern Europe. The craftsmen produced goods made of wood, iron, amber, leather,  antler and ceramic. The pottery skills were developed. That was the time of living of the Jómsvikings here...

Famous warriors in Wolin
Wolin, then called Jómsborg, is mentioned in the Old Icelandic Sagas – artistic stories about heroes, kings, bishops and semi-legendary, semi- historical events. One of them written in the 13^th century – “Jómsvikinga saga” tells us about brotherhood of Vikings who lived in fortified warrior camp in the 2^nd half of 10^th century. Saga tells us more about warriors and a fortress, that was situated in the mouth of Odra river. The skald ( the]author of the story) described powerful harbour that could moor even 60 warship called drakkars. The scientists have identified that legendary Jómsborg with Wolin. The strong relationships between Scandinavians and native Slavic inhabitants from Wolin has been evidenced during long-lasting Wolin’s archaeological excavations.  But the remains of the legendary fortress of the Jómsviking are still being looked for...

We don’t even know what were the names of all Jómsvikings. Only the leaders called “jarls” in Scandinavian language, are known. One version of the saga tells that the first jarl of the warriors was the Swedish Viking – Styrbjörn. In fact the Jómsviking group was famous because of their strength, loyality, honour rules of behaviour. They had to observe the restrictive “Jómsviking code”. The end of their world came suddenly at the end of the 10^th century. It was caused by an artifice of the Danish king. He invited the Jómsviking to the party and ...got them all drunk. But first he persuaded them to promise that they would try to kill the enemy of him  - the great Norwegian jarl Hakon. In the morning, when the Jómsviking were told, what they had promised, they had no choice. They had to sail to Norway to... die. Some of them were killed on the Hjörungavag bay, some imprisoned. The legend became their courage in the face of the hangman. They were laughing at themselves, the situation, the jarl Hakon and ...the act of dying. Thanks to such  behaviour the youngest survived.

Playing with Vikings and Slavs
The fame of the early medieval town Jómsborg has still been alive thanks to every year festival of Vikings and Slavs. The magic of that event attracts hundreds of warriors, craftsmen, musicians and sailors from all over the Europe. That event lasts for three days. 10 editions of that historical market have changed the people and the city itself.

-          That is a multicultural event in the historic place – Scot King, the contemporary warrior from Chicago says. – A lot of people from many countries come here (They have to cover the long distance very often). There are mixed various types of crafts, clothes, weapons, languages and traditions that create unique, lively atmosphere. In my opinion, the Viking market in Wolin is the most authentic event on the Vikings and European scene. It beams the energy and spirit of the past time.

Showing authentic anterior life, battles and crafts has become one of the most important aims of the market. It is important to find out how the Vikings probably would have lived, to reconstruct their techniques of doing things, using tools and to find out how it works by using it. That’s why the archaeology and artefacts explored from the ground are so important for the re-enactors movement.

To discover the lost city
Vikings staying in Jómsborg   are mentioned not only in the sagas. More and more arguments for Scandinavian living here in the past have been founded during the more- than- 100 years-  lasted archaeological excavations. A lot of artefacts were founded during the last years. Pottery, Slavic and Scandinavian ceramic, parts of the swords, jewellery, coins, statuettes of Scandinavian and Slavic gods have proven the close ties between Wolin and Scandinavia itself. Scandinavian art as wooden pieces covered with the runs (Scandinavian alphabet), wooden dragon head – the well-known Viking symbol was also uncovered in the ground; knives handles, spoons, hammer curved in amber - the pendants of hammer Thora , that symbolize the pagan god, game peaces are one of the most beautiful artefacts.

 The most impressive found artefact of the last years is the sun-compass. That unique artefact is the proof that Vikings could sail even to America. On the base of that sun-compass the scientists agreed that the Scandinavian sailors had the wide knowledge to travel trough the open spaces like Oceans. The compass is the best -preserved artefact ever found!

Wolin as the historic centre
During the lasts months the new idea was born. The new project has been created. To built a lot of attractions inspired with the history – that is the aim. Archaeological air-open museum (the reconstructions of the early medieval town), park of the ...siege-pieces and siege  - trains, modern archaeological museum, well shown archaeological protected areas, reservation of wracks of old ships – these are some of  the very ambitious and expensive projects for the nearest years. Wolin’s mayor decided to come back to the historic base. He and his collaborates hope Jómsborg regain  the lost fame.

The spirit of the wildness
Wolin city and commune that is not only early medieval history and archaeology. Even the second war world  traces can be seen in many places. Some city monuments as the neo-gothic building, nowadays City and Commune Office,  or the neo-baroque Post Office are the places of usual work of inhabitants. Some of them are working 8 hours per day or more, some of them are working less and living in poverty. In consequence, they  know only the town or the nearest vicinity and are not conscious of the richness of the nature of Wolin Island. In season the Island is visited by large number of tourists. That’s why tourism and recreation is the second attribute of Wolin’s commune. That there is still an undiscovered chance in the future for the average inhabitants of that region.

In fact you can observe here the full scale of diverse landscapes. Good climate, wild forests, lakes and rivers, sea shore, unique species of wild living birds and animals, create one of the most beautiful place in the country for resting and spending vacations. National Park, established in 1960, contains forests, marshes, and beautifully-situated post-glacial lakes,  including its characteristic element: 15 km long and up to 95 m high cliffs. The impressive delta of River Świna is a complex of 44 water-muddy islands, separated by channels with variable direction of flow and water level. You can admire that panorama from the sight-point called Zielonka.  Aurochs breeding centre is one of the most famous places. Observation points, network of tourist routes and educational trails – these are the useful pieces of information for park visitors.

After entering EU the style of thinking has been changing. To show the regionally historic heritage and the unique beauty of the nature is more important than the global politics. So we hope to meet soon on the sea shore or on the yacht on the Szczecin Golf, visiting Vikings Festival or western picnic in Sułomino. We are sure you would not be bored!