Karnice

Karnice is a rural commune located in northwestern Poland, in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, within Gryfice County. The administrative seat of the commune is the village of Karnice, which had a population of 4,086 in 2016. The commune covers an area of 133.12 km², accounting for 13.1% of the county's total area. Karnice borders the communes of Gryfice, Rewal, Trzebiatów, and Świerzno. Until 1998, it was part of the Szczecin Voivodeship. The region boasts numerous tourist attractions, such as the "Pobrzeże Rewalskie" (Rewal Coast) hiking trail and the Gryfice Narrow-Gauge Railway, which attracts nature enthusiasts with its scenic forest routes. The commune has a well-developed road network connecting it to neighboring towns, and its railway history dates back to 1906. The area includes designated post offices and four active railway stations. Architecturally, the commune features several notable landmarks, including the neoclassical manor of the von Sydow family in Cerkwica and the 19th-century neo-Gothic palace in Dreżewo. In Konarzewo, there is a church dating back to 1889, as well as a 12th-century stone well of St. Otto, often referenced in the history of the Pomeranians. Another valuable cultural heritage site is the historic Dutch-style windmill in Lędzino. Karnice takes pride in its history, evidenced by numerous memorial sites and heritage monuments. Administratively, the commune is divided into 16 village districts (sołectwa), and residents actively participate in local and parliamentary elections. Karnice's partnership with Burkhardtsdorf in Germany highlights its interregional and international cooperation. With its tranquil natural beauty and rich historical and architectural heritage, Karnice is both a peaceful retreat and a destination worth exploring.