Świetlino

Świetlino is a Kashubian village in Poland, located in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, within Wejherowo County, with a population of 260 residents. The village covers an area of 6.14 km² and lies on the edge of the Wierzchucińska Forest, near Lębork. The history of Świetlino dates back to the 13th century when it was part of the ephemeral Duchy of Białogard. Over the centuries, the village changed political affiliations, passing from the rule of Gdańsk Pomerania to the Teutonic Knights, and later becoming part of the Kingdom of Prussia and the Third Reich, before returning to Poland after World War II. In a historical context, a significant event was the tragic moments related to the Death March in 1945, when prisoners from the KL Stutthof concentration camp passed through Świetlino. After their liberation, the village was left with many memories of martyrdom, evidenced by monuments and plaques commemorating the victims. Among the local landmarks, the Evangelical church, now Roman Catholic, dedicated to St. Isidore the Farmer, built in 1911, and the church cemetery stand out. Interestingly, from 1957 to 1975, the village was administratively part of the Gdańsk Voivodeship. In remembrance of the tragic historical events, a monument stands on the square near the church, honoring the victims of the Death March. It is worth noting that Świetlino is a place with a rich past, reflecting the political and social changes of the region, as well as bearing witness to the tragic fates of many people during World War II.