Sławno, Medieval Hanseatic city in Western Pomerania, Poland
Sławno is a Hanseatic city situated along the Wieprza River, positioned on the railway line connecting the major Baltic ports of Gdańsk and Szczecin. The river valley setting and its role as a transport hub have shaped the urban layout and character of the place.
The city received Lübeck law rights in 1317, transforming it into a major trading settlement within the Pomeranian region. This legal status allowed it to participate fully in the Baltic trading network that defined medieval commerce.
St Mary's Church stands as the visual centerpiece of the city, its Gothic style reflecting the trading traditions and religious values that shaped medieval life here. The preserved medieval gates mark entry points that once controlled movement and commerce, showing how the city organized itself around mercantile activity.
The main road E28 passes directly through the city, providing straightforward connections to larger Polish cities in multiple directions. The railway station is centrally located, making arrival and navigation simple for visitors using public transport.
The territory functioned as an independent duchy from 1190 to 1238, a rare period of autonomous rule in the region. After this era ended, the area never regained such self-governing status.
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