Szczecin has gained much popularity as "green paradise" for tourists. The city is located in a part of Poland, which is most attractive for tourism. Every year this city is visited by more than 400 000 tourists. At least a half of them are foreigners. Close proximity to the border provides large number of tourists from Sweden, Denmark and, of course, from Germany. In order to attract "capricious" Western tourists, the city should definitely have numerous advantages.
The first advantage is a well-developed transport infrastructure. Besides this, the city has achieved the highest level of reception organization. The level of service here is comparable with best tourist centers of Europe.
As for the religious attractions of Szczecin, the most symbolic one is St. Jacob Basilica. When it had just started being built, it was one of the highest churches in the country. Initially, the church spire was over 119 m high but the building was seriously bombed in the period of the Second World War. After the restoration, the spire reduced. Today, it is almost 110 m high. In the church tower, there is an observation platform that has a breathtaking panorama of the city.
Another interesting monument from the historical point of view is the Church of St. Paul and Peter. It is a spectacular monument in the Gothic style. The church started being built in 1233 and continued for 14 years. When it was reconstructed in the 14th century, it gained a lot of unique values. It is one of the few buildings in the city that managed to survive during wartime. Today, the visitors of the church can admire beautiful chandeliers of the 17th century, ceiling painting and other pieces of art.
One of the most recognized sites here is the building of the Red Town Hall. It is a magnificent monument in the neo-Gothic style. The new town hall was built for municipal authorities in 1879. The building is distinguished by an effective and extraordinary facade. It has two beautiful towers and a lot of windows of different shapes. Carved balconies and niches give the building some special charm. Every decorative element of the facade has its own symbolic meaning.
The beautiful architectural monument is Kamienica Loitzow. It was built in the first half of the 16th century for the local rich banker, whose name it bears now. The building in the late Gothic style is distinguished by its spectacular facade too. In front of it, you can see a small square decorated with monuments. For hundreds of years, the status of building has changed many times. In particular periods, it belonged to noble citizens. In the 18th century, the historical building was occupied by a famous confectionery. Now, it belongs to the Art Academy.
The most popular place for walks is the Szczecin Embankment. When walking along it, you can admire beautiful architectural monuments and parking zones on the shore.