The best hikes from bus stations around Lake Binowskie

A pleasant place to relax in the heart of the forest

The Linden of Peace is a natural monument – a Dutch linden tree (circumference 155 cm) planted in 1871 to commemorate the Peace of Frankfurt, which ended the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. Fragments of a stone surround and a barely visible plaque, remnants of the former restaurant “Friedenslinde” (“Linden of Peace”), have been preserved near the tree.

there are several such chapels in the entire Puszcza Bukowa

tree shrine on Górska Droga in Puszcza Bukowa

Somewhat hidden in the forest and off the path are the ruins of the former Toepffer family palace. A staircase, the remains of columns, and a few other relics are still there, giving an idea of the size of the property. The building likely had a very high standard of furnishings for its time.

One of many viewpoints overlooking the city of Szczecin. A 32-meter-high observation tower once stood on this site, of which only a few traces remain. However, you can still enjoy the view from a viewing point in the park. There are a few benches on the hill, although they have seen better days.

An easily accessible vantage point offering a wonderful panoramic view of Szczecin. The open area in front of the vantage point also offers numerous seating areas and barbecue facilities.

The building was built in 1906 on the hills of the Beech Forest near the Szczecin "Stern" cement factory. It was built by Helmut Toepffer, grandson of the founder of the Stern cement plant and the Katherinen Kreidegrub mine. Due to its location, the palace was nicknamed "Parkhaus." The residence had 30 rooms, not including utility rooms such as the kitchen and pantries. In addition to two master bedrooms and dressing rooms, the second floor contained nine guest rooms and bathrooms. The house also included a smoking room, a writing room for the ladies, a study, a winter garden, a billiards room, an East Asian-style room, and an extensive library with approximately 5,000 volumes. At the rear of the building, half of the hill was removed to accommodate an extension, which was intended to house the museum's art collection. The Renaissance Hall measured 8 meters high, 12 meters wide, and 24 meters long. The palace was brimming with art collections, and the interiors were crafted from luxurious materials. For example, the Asian room featured leopard skins, a statue of the Buddha on a lotus pedestal, and hand-painted, two-piece screens made of East Asian silk. In the dining room, the ceiling and walls were paneled with East Asian teak. The paneling featured copies of beautiful street scenes painted by the famous Spaniard Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. The large dining table, chairs, and sideboards were all made of the same wood. The palace's art collections include hundreds of volumes (often rare, long-standing, or leather-covered), and a marble copy of Michelangelo's "Moses" statue. The entire complex survived the air raids on Szczecin intact, but was looted and devastated by Russian troops. In later years, it continued to deteriorate, undeveloped and dismantled by "collectors" of building materials and timber. Today, the only remains are the Stairs leading to the Renaissance Hall where the statue of Moses stood, and scattered elements of the palace's concrete columns, as well as fragments of cornices with carved architectural details.