Anyone entering Szczecin by bridges over the Oder River can see the towering red-brick gothic Cathedral and an elegant, pale silhouette of a Renaissance castle with green towers, which used to be the seat of the dukes of the Griffins dynasty who ruled the Duchy of Pomerania. The Pomeranian Dukes’ Castle has five wings and two courtyards. Acting as a cultural institution it organizes an array of cultural events: concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, conferences and meetings to popularize science, as well as to spread knowledge about the history of West Pomerania. The largest wing houses an Opera. In the wing that housed a mint in the olden days one can find today Cultural and Tourist Information Centre. There is a panoramic terrace on the rooftop of the northern wing from where splendid views can be appreciated. The wing’s basement houses a Vault with sarcophaguses of six princes. The Duke Boguslaw X hall, which used to be a princely chapel, is now a concert hall with a polychromatic ceiling decorated in Renaissance style. A 17th century astronomical clock is the Castle’s special tourist attraction. Also a room dedicated to Eilhard Lubinus and the Witches’ Cell are definitely worth a visit.

Known as the oldest Lutheran Church in the Americas, the Fredrick Lutheran Church was established in 1666 by Danish minister and coloniser, Kjeld Jensen. The yellow Georgian style building with its large staircase that you can visit today was opened in 1793. The earlier two buildings that were, unfortunately, destroyed by fire.

Build in the 1670s as the administrative centre of the island and military grounds, the bright red Fort Christian now hosts the St Thomas museum. Explore the old photos, antique furniture and artifacts connected to the history of the island.

The Memorial Museum in the "Round Corner" in Leipzig illuminates the dark legacy of the Stasi, East Germany's secret police. Set in their former headquarters, it showcases a poignant collection of surveillance tools and personal records. The museum is a hub for educational discussions on human rights and democracy, ensuring that the oppressive past aids in shaping a vigilant, democratic future.