Why Starogard Gdański
Situated along the small Wierzyca River in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of northern Poland, Starogard Gdański serves as the seat of Starogard County. Located roughly 40 kilometers south of Gdańsk, 21 kilometers southwest of Tczew, and 50 kilometers from the Tricity agglomeration, the city is considered the cultural capital of the Kociewie region. Its name translates to "old city" in Pomeranian, with the word "Gdański" added in the twentieth century to distinguish it from other towns with identical names.
Human presence in the region dates back to Neolithic settlements established four to five thousand years ago. The town's documented history began in 1198 when it was granted to the Knights Hospitaller, subsequently receiving city rights under Kulm Law in 1348. Throughout the centuries, Starogard shifted between Polish sovereignty, Teutonic rule, and Prussian control, functioning as a site for local parliamentary assemblies in the early modern era and later as a center of Polish resistance against Germanisation policies. Following World War II, during which the area suffered severe wartime repression and executions, the city was restored to Poland in 1945.
Visitors to Starogard Gdański can observe architectural heritage from its past, including medieval defensive walls and historic structures such as the Gdańsk Tower. The Museum of Kociewie Land provides insight into local tradition through its extensive archaeological, ethnographic, and historical exhibits. The city is also notable for hosting one of Europe's oldest continuously operating vodka distilleries, constructed on its western edge in 1871, which produces the Sobieski and Krupnik brands.
Athletics are an important part of the local identity, led by the SKS Starogard Gdański basketball team. The town was the childhood home of World Cup footballer and Olympic gold medalist Kazimierz Deyna. A dedicated heritage trail guides visitors through the city, linking his birthplace, family home, public murals, and a memorial statue situated at the municipal stadium named in his honor.
Starogard Gdański is served by a local railway station providing regional train connections. Road transport is facilitated by Polish National road 22 and Voivodeship road 222, both running directly through the city, while the A1 motorway is positioned just to the east.
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