The ruins of the church in Trzęsacz are one of the most distinctive places on the Polish coast. Today, only a fragment of the southern wall of the former St. Nicholas Church remains on the edge of the cliff - about 12 meters long and 6 meters high. Over the years, the sea gradually swallowed the rest of the church.
A church that once stood far from the sea
The brick church was built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries and originally stood much farther from the shore. Over time, the waves undermined the cliff, which kept retreating. In the 18th century, there were still several dozen meters between the church and the edge, while by the end of the 19th century only about a meter remained.
For safety reasons, the church was closed in 1874, and later more and more sections of the walls began to slide into the Baltic Sea. The last major collapse took place in 1994.
What can you see today?
At the beginning of the 21st century, the preserved section of the wall was secured and reinforced, which is why you can still see it today. The ruins are located on Klifowa Street, and entry to the viewing platform is free.
Right next to it you'll find MuzeON - the Multimedia Museum on the Cliff, where you can learn about the church's history, local legends, and interesting facts connected with the 15th meridian running nearby.
It's also worth visiting the newer Church of Divine Mercy, where you'll find a Baroque altar saved from the old church.
The legend of Zielenica
The ruins are also linked to a local legend about Zielenica - the daughter of the king of the seas. According to the story, the Baltic Sea took more and more pieces of land over the years in order to regain the place of her burial.
A trip idea
Trzęsacz is a great destination for a short trip or a day out. You can combine seeing the ruins with a walk along the cliff, a visit to the beach, a museum tour, and lunch or coffee at one of the nearby restaurants and cafés.