In the footsteps of the Quistorps

A tourist route commemorating Johaness Quistorp and his son Martin, whose philanthropic activity included creating recreational spaces in Szczecin.

The initiator of creating this route is the Nasze Wycieczki association.

1. Jasne Błonia (formerly Quistorp Aue)
   John Paul II’s Jasne Błonia is a perfect place for recreation: you can take a walk, ride a bicycle or sit comfortably on a bench or on a lawn. It is the favourite park of Szczecin’s families, strollers and sport enthusiasts. Read more...
    
2. Wojska Polskiego Avenue – the villas of “Westend”
   “Westend” was a district created after the city’s status as a fortress was abolished in 1873. Johannes Quistorp was the author of the development idea of the western part of the growing city. He even thought of roads connecting it to other districts and planned a tram depot at Piotra Skargi Street
    
3. Areas of the former “Bethanien” complex care facility
   A complex of buildings at today’s Wawrzyniaka and Mickiewicza streets – formerly a care facility, hospital, orphanage, deaconess’ house and Evangelical church. The complex was built in 1866-1929 thanks to Johaness Quistorp and his son Martin. Until 1945 it was run by Bethany sisters. Next to the building located at 7A Wawrzyniaka street (built in 1900-1902 as a men’s ward), there is a cemetery where Johaness and Martin were buried. Currently there is no tombstone to commemorate them, there is only a square next to the chapel. But you should spend a while at Bethanien, find JQ&Co markings on the bricks (this is the abbreviation of Johannes Quistorp & Company) or try to decipher the symbols on decorative plafonds.
    
4. Jakuba Wujka Square – the villas of “Neuwestend”
   A villa district around Jakuba Wujka Square, whose originator was Johannes Quistorp, and the continuator - his son Martin Quistorp. The land on which the construction of the new district was started lay then outside the administrative borders of Szczecin, which was very favourable, since it gave the possibility of more creative spatial development and was subject to lower taxes as the area was in fact a rural commune. At the same time Quistorp made sure that a circle railway line had its station right at the district’s border (current Szczecin-Łękno stop at Wojska Polskiego Avenue) to make it easier to access the new district.
    
5. Syrenie Stawy 
    
6. Quistorp Tower ruins in Park Leśny Arkoński
   An observation tower built by Martin Quistorp to commemorate his father. It was one of Szczecin’s biggest attractions. The view from the top was highly impressive, and the tower itself was visible from a distance. A recreational area called Eckerberger Wald was created around it.
    
7. Kasprowicz Park (formerly Quistorp Park)
   The areas were gifted to the city by Johaness Quistorp, with the stipulation that they would always serve citizens for recreational purposes. Since the creation of the park, it has been a great attraction, and today it is the largest park in Szczecin.