The cultural landscape and maritime identity of Szczecin: The past and present of a port city

Abstract

This article analyses the maritime cultural landscape of Szczecin, a port city connected by a river and a lagoon to the Baltic Sea, although at a considerable distance from the coast. The natural landscape does not have elements that are typically associated with the sea, but the local cultural landscape consists of many objects with maritime motifs and symbols (in particular monuments and other material elements). The study shows that the maritime cultural landscape of Szczecin can be divided into several categories: the cultural heritage connected with the German past, the communist period and present day. In each of these periods, the emphasis was placed on other functions of the cultural elements of the maritime landscape while maintaining its maritime identity. The authors used a variety of methods and research tools. This study was based on analysis of found documents. Visual data analysis was also used.