Not too many people would expect that in this extremely beautiful city, which has celebrated its 100 years of existence as a town in 2001, traces of existence go as far as the Stone Age.

Sopot and surrounding areas has taken shape during last ice age in the quaternary époque called Pleistocene, the topography is much differentiated, and for that reason is difficult for archeological survey. Most of the area is densely developed and the rest is covered by forest and vegetation, giving not too much room for excavations. Although, the very early settlements had a chance to establish just after the Ice Age about 9 000 years ago but there are no remains older than those from early Stone Age when hunters used to chase hers of reindeers in tundra.

Loose antiques made of flint date from youngest epoch of Stone Age called also Neolithic Age were found in Sopot. Most of the items are small pieces of flint which were the result of shaping of larger pieces. Some of them after farthest processing were used as an arrow heads or spear heads. One of the most interesting relics of the Stone Age is a small hatchet with two sharp ages made during early Stone Age called Culture of Cup Funnels, found in Sopot. It was found by accident in 1960 on the hills surrounding Okrezna Street and placed in Museum of Archeology in Gdansk. Many clay utensils from Stone Age decorated with the imprint of rope called Culture of Rope Ceramic, which were found in Sopot are one of the evidences of early migrations, probably shepherds following their herds.

We do not know any relics in Sopot from Bronze Age (1800 – 1400 BC). More evidence dates from Iron Age (about 700 BC), which is a good evidence that Sopot and surrounding areas were well inhabited by early tribes. Mainly those are cemeteries with graves build from small wooden boxes surrounded by stones. The burial form is characteristic for early Iron Age when Kasubian Group of Culture developed into East Pomeranian Culture. On one of those graves in a small forest, which belonged to Archwasser Villa located on the corner of Smolna Street and Niepodleglosci Avenue, Gdansk Museum did archaeological survey during which 11 clay urns were found with glass, amber, necklaces and other artwork. From the same place comes cinerary urn with the sun and star engraved on the neck, only one remains to this day.

More wooden box graves have been discovered on sandy hill next to rifle-range, where facial cinerary urns were excavated. Similar grave with cinerary urnwas found in Swiemirowo, one of Sopot’s districts.

In 1938 during the construction of stadium some pieces of household dishes and other tools were found. In 1959, two cinerary urns were found in wooden box grave in the garden belonging to property on 25/27 Slowacki Street. Also small treasure were found consisting of two rich decorated rings dated from Iron Age (550 – 400 BC), which were part of breast – plate.

Between 100 BC and 400 BC the entire region of Sopot and Gdansk Gulf was inhabited by tribes of Oksywska and Wielbarska culture, which left many traces including graves found between Sopot and Gdansk. Flourishing trade with Rome Empire resulted in many relics still buried in the ground and also found from time to time in Sopot. One of the most interesting treasures were Rome dinars found in the garden on Kasprowicza Street, more Arabic and Rome coins were found on the beach and on Reymonta Street. Also close to Sopot on the road to Oliwa two coins were found in 1903 and 1910. One of them was bronze coin of Antoninus Pius and silver dinar of Trajan, Rome Emperors.

In Sopot and neighbourhood during archaeological survey during the years 1918 – 1939 and during 1980s called as an archaeological map of Poland, 42 sites were registered dating mainly from Iron Age and Mid-century (800 – 900 AD). Those sites are early inhabitants, relics and some real treasures as pointed above. One of the most impotent sites are ruins of medieval castle, one of the best treasure of past history and very well preserved. It is located on hills next to Haffner Street, 400 m from the beach, which were formed during the last Ace Age. It is surrounded by steep cliffs and deep valleys with streams. It was defended from west by moat and dike in the shape of horse shoe. No moat was detected from the sea site; probably swampy bank existed during this time making it impossible to attack from sea.

Not too many people would expect that in this extremely beautiful city, which has celebrated its 100 years of existence as a town in 2001, traces of existence go as far as the Stone Age.

Sopot and surrounding areas has taken shape during last ice age in the quaternary époque called Pleistocene, the topography is much differentiated, and for that reason is difficult for archeological survey. Most of the area is densely developed and the rest is covered by forest and vegetation, giving not too much room for excavations. Although, the very early settlements had a chance to establish just after the Ice Age about 9 000 years ago but there are no remains older than those from early Stone Age when hunters used to chase hers of reindeers in tundra.

Loose antiques made of flint date from youngest epoch of Stone Age called also Neolithic Age were found in Sopot. Most of the items are small pieces of flint which were the result of shaping of larger pieces. Some of them after farthest processing were used as an arrow heads or spear heads. One of the most interesting relics of the Stone Age is a small hatchet with two sharp ages made during early Stone Age called Culture of Cup Funnels, found in Sopot. It was found by accident in 1960 on the hills surrounding Okrezna Street and placed in Museum of Archeology in Gdansk. Many clay utensils from Stone Age decorated with the imprint of rope called Culture of Rope Ceramic, which were found in Sopot are one of the evidences of early migrations, probably shepherds following their herds.

We do not know any relics in Sopot from Bronze Age (1800 – 1400 BC). More evidence dates from Iron Age (about 700 BC), which is a good evidence that Sopot and surrounding areas were well inhabited by early tribes. Mainly those are cemeteries with graves build from small wooden boxes surrounded by stones. The burial form is characteristic for early Iron Age when Kasubian Group of Culture developed into East Pomeranian Culture. On one of those graves in a small forest, which belonged to Archwasser Villa located on the corner of Smolna Street and Niepodleglosci Avenue, Gdansk Museum did archaeological survey during which 11 clay urns were found with glass, amber, necklaces and other artwork. From the same place comes cinerary urn with the sun and star engraved on the neck, only one remains to this day.

More wooden box graves have been discovered on sandy hill next to rifle-range, where facial cinerary urns were excavated. Similar grave with cinerary urnwas found in Swiemirowo, one of Sopot’s districts.

In 1938 during the construction of stadium some pieces of household dishes and other tools were found. In 1959, two cinerary urns were found in wooden box grave in the garden belonging to property on 25/27 Slowacki Street. Also small treasure were found consisting of two rich decorated rings dated from Iron Age (550 – 400 BC), which were part of breast – plate.

Between 100 BC and 400 BC the entire region of Sopot and Gdansk Gulf was inhabited by tribes of Oksywska and Wielbarska culture, which left many traces including graves found between Sopot and Gdansk. Flourishing trade with Rome Empire resulted in many relics still buried in the ground and also found from time to time in Sopot. One of the most interesting treasures were Rome dinars found in the garden on Kasprowicza Street, more Arabic and Rome coins were found on the beach and on Reymonta Street. Also close to Sopot on the road to Oliwa two coins were found in 1903 and 1910. One of them was bronze coin of Antoninus Pius and silver dinar of Trajan, Rome Emperors.

In Sopot and neighbourhood during archaeological survey during the years 1918 – 1939 and during 1980s called as an archaeological map of Poland, 42 sites were registered dating mainly from Iron Age and Mid-century (800 – 900 AD). Those sites are early inhabitants, relics and some real treasures as pointed above. One of the most impotent sites are ruins of medieval castle, one of the best treasure of past history and very well preserved. It is located on hills next to Haffner Street, 400 m from the beach, which were formed during the last Ace Age. It is surrounded by steep cliffs and deep valleys with streams. It was defended from west by moat and dike in the shape of horse shoe. No moat was detected from the sea site; probably swampy bank existed during this time making it impossible to attack from sea.

First archaeological survey was done by German archaeologist H. Conwentz in 1885. Because of his efforts the place was bought from the city and declared as to be protected. The next excavations were done by W. La Baume in 1934 and were sponsored by museum of Natural Science and Archaeology in Gdansk. All antiques and documentation have been lost during the II WW. After the war it took until 1961 when first excavation was done again. In 1961 – 1966 major excavation was sponsored by Archaeological Museum in Gdansk and carried out by A. Łukowa and A. Szymańska. Later in the years 1995-1966 and 1999 more works have been done to uncover past history under the guidance of A. Szymańska. During excavation the most significant part of dike and main living area was explored. It has been discovered that two fazes of settlement existed. From VIII to the mid of XIX century small open settlement was established and later it was transferred to medieval castle surrounded by defensive wooden and mud dike with heavy stones as a extra support. On the top of the dike remains of burnt wooden construction was found, which served as defence reinforcement. Probably they were remains of defensive tower, which role was to control and observe the sea shore. The existence lasted until the construction of the medieval castle in Gdansk in X century before the Piast era, when the family of the first Piast king ruled Poland. During it short existence the settlement was three times burnt and rebuilt until it was finally abandoned or destroyed in around X century. Because of the discovery of the main gate supported by stone wall and homes, mainly wood homes some partially buried in the ground next to dike, the layout of the settlement was accurately reconstructed.

Old Sopot medieval Castle became Archaeological Museum with wide recognition across Europe due to sponsorship of Gdansk Museum and authorities of Sopot.

The entire settlement was reconstructed, the gate, houses, palisade were rebuilt exactly on the same place where they once stood. All details are consistent with our knowledge of similar objects from many early drawings coming also from other parts of Europe like Russia or Germany, which have been preserved to this day.

Because of its location in the center of very busy tourist resort, the medieval castle is not only a very interesting place to spend some time but also a promoter of history and artefact of the early culture of East Pomeranian. During open season you can see here presentation of the craftsmen, knight tournaments, presentation of various weapons like bows, swords, spears, battle-axe and you can also have on hands practice how to use those weapons. Also many schools take its students to present live history here. There are many more attraction like parties and meetings in the atmosphere of the past history. This place attracts many people particularly students who are involved many activities and voluntary work to make this place more attractive.