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The Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea - symbol and memory

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On 18 March 1945, the Polish sea was symbolically "wedded" by Poland in the town of Kołobrzeg, putting an end to years of struggle for access to the Baltic Sea. This event was later commemorated by the Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morzeem (Poland's Wedding to the Sea Monument), which today is not only a testimony to history, but also an important symbol of rebirth and national sovereignty. In this article, we will take readers on a journey to Kołobrzeg to take a closer look at this unique monument, which has adorned the Polish coast for more than seventy years, reminding us of a key moment in Polish post-war history.

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Historical events behind the creation of the monument

The culminating moment behind the creation of the Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea was the events of March 1945. It was then, on March 18, that a symbolic ceremony took place on the beach in Kołobrzeg, amidst the rubble of the devastated city and war damage. General Stanisław Tatar, assisted by units of the 1st Polish Army, formally 'married' Poland to the Baltic Sea, which had been regained after many years. The ceremony was an expression of the nation's strength and determination to rebuild the country and marked the restoration of Poland's access to the sea.

The Act of Wedding with the Sea was not just an empty gesture - it carried enormous strategic and economic significance for the state. Kołobrzeg and other seaside towns became the gateway to Polish maritime trade and a symbol of sovereignty and independence. Many Poles held a deep conviction that access to the sea was not only an economic necessity, but also a matter of national honour. For years Poland had experienced difficulties with access to the sea, so the nuptials were intended to symbolically mark the end of these restrictions.


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In the post-war years, policymakers and the public strongly felt the need to commemorate this landmark event. They wanted the monument to become a lasting testimony to these pivotal moments. In 1963, after much thought and consultation, the Monument to the Assumption of Poland to the Sea was unveiled. This object was intended to commemorate not only the moment of the ceremony itself, but also all the efforts and sacrifices made by the Polish people over the centuries in their efforts to secure access to the seas.

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Architectural face of the Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea

The Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea is an object full of symbolic meanings, located in Kołobrzeg, close to the place where the historic event of Poland's wedding with the Baltic Sea took place in 1945. Its unique architecture attracts the attention of both residents and numerous tourists.

The design of the monument was a public initiative and its realisation was carried out in 1963. The creator of the monumental undertaking was the well-known Polish sculptor Viktor Tolkin. Made of bronze, the statue depicts three figures - a Polish soldier, a sailor and a worker - holding hands, symbolising the unity of nations fighting for access to the sea. The expressive, dynamic figures are stylised in a social realist manner, and their movement towards the water conveys a spirit of triumph and rebirth.

Several metres high, the monument is supported by a granite pedestal with the names of seaside towns and the date of the historic event engraved on its walls. The granite, sourced from nearby quarries, symbolises the endurance and steadfastness of the Polish spirit, while the anchor placed next to it alludes to Poland's maritime identity.

The monument's solemn character is emphasised by its location - it is situated on a specially shaped square, which has made it an indispensable element of Kołobrzeg's landscape. The monument itself is not only an artistic work, but also a place of national remembrance, where residents and visitors can pay tribute to their ancestors who contributed to Poland's return to the Baltic.

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Poland's Wedding to the Sea and national celebrations

Poland's Wedding to the Sea, which took place on 18 March 1945 in Kołobrzeg, is an important national event that is celebrated with great solemnity every year. The celebrations are a moment to remember and honour the historic act of symbolically incorporating the regained coastline into Polish territory after many years of struggle and sacrifice during the Second World War.

The celebrations of this day traditionally include the solemn laying of flowers at the Monument of Poland's Wedding to the Sea in Kołobrzeg, speeches by official delegations of provincial and local authorities, as well as military representations. These are moments that remind contemporary generations of the extraordinary significance of the sea for the Polish spirit and history.

Often the ceremonies are also linked to the organisation of thematic conferences, panel discussions and history lessons in schools, which emphasises the educational aspects of the event. The heroism of the soldiers, the difficulties involved in winning access to the sea and the importance of this space for Poland's sovereignty are recalled.

The celebration of Poland's Wedding to the Sea is part of the country's calendar of patriotic celebrations and provides an opportunity to reflect on the values that shape national identity, as well as to cultivate the memory of key historical events for the nation.

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Symbolic and emotional dimensions of the Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea

The Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morzeem (Poland's Wedding to the Sea Monument) in Kołobrzeg is more than a bronze cast or a concrete structure - it is a place where matter meets the spirit of history. It stands like a guard on the border between land and water, reminding us of our regained access to the Baltic Sea after many years of suffering. Its presence has something extraordinarily moving about it; it concentrates the energy of the moment when Poland could once again look at the horizon open to the world.

The event of the nuptials, which took place on 18 March 1945, is immortalised in the form of this monument not only as a historical fact, but above all as a manifestation of hope and rebirth. A strong generational bond is felt here - the ancestors passing on the symbolic baton of remembrance to those who live after them. For many, the Monument to the Assumption of Poland to the Sea becomes a point of reflection on the past, but also a symbol of the courage to look to the future.

There is a deep emotional resonance that the Monument to the Assumption of Poland to the Sea evokes in the hearts of Poles. It is not just a matter of national pride, but also a feeling of personal, almost familial affinity with a place that testifies to the fact that Poland faced great challenges and survived. Symbols such as the Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea reinforce identity and community, while serving as a reminder of that unique bond that binds us to the sea.

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The role of the Polish Maritime Monument in tourism and education

The Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morzeem (Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea) in Kołobrzeg is not only a monument of deep historical and national significance, but also an important point on the map of Poland's tourist attractions. Every year, thousands of tourists visit the site to see for themselves the symbolic representation of one of the key moments in the country's history. The monument has become an integral part of the city tour, and its monumental figure is not only a photogenic backdrop for souvenir photos, but also attracts the attention of those interested in history and culture.

The educational role of the monument is also not without significance. It serves as a tool for teaching young generations about Poland's hardships and struggles for access to the sea. School visits and tourist guides often include stories about the Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morzeem in their materials, using it as anschauliche Lektion über wichtige nationale Ereignisse. In this way, the monument is transformed from a cold stone into a living history lesson, providing an interesting form of learning.

The impact of the monument on the local community of Kolobrzeg cannot be overestimated either. The city's residents proudly refer to this local symbol, which attracts tourists to the region, which translates into economic benefits. The catering, hotel and other tourist services benefit from this, making the Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morzeem (Poland's Wedding to the Sea Monument) not only a monument, but also an important element promoting and supporting local business and culture.

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The Pomnik Zaślubin Polski z Morze (Monument to Poland's Wedding with the Sea) in Kołobrzeg is not only a work of art, but above all a constant reminder of an important moment in Poland's history, when a new relationship with the Baltic was established. This object is a material and spiritual bridge between the past and the future, between the generations that fought for sovereignty and those that cherish memory and national identity. In concluding our story, it is worth emphasising that the Monument to Poland's Wedding to the Sea will remain an enduring symbol of courage, determination and victory, while at the same time serving as a guide through Poland's turbulent history for all those who wish to understand the importance of the sea for our country.


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