Schwedt

Schwedt
Name	Schwedt
State	Brandenburg
District	Uckermark
Area	200.12
Population	33342
Post code	16303
Area code	03332, 033336
Licence	UM
Mayor	Jürgen Polzehl
Party	SPD
Website	[https://www.schwedt.eu/ www.schwedt.eu]

Schwedt. A major city in the Uckermark district of northeastern Brandenburg, Germany, situated directly on the western bank of the Oder river which forms the border with Poland. Known historically as *Schwedt/Oder*, it serves as the economic and administrative hub for the surrounding region, with its development deeply intertwined with the river, heavy industry, and significant post-war transformation. The city's landscape is marked by its industrial heritage, extensive reconstructed urban core, and proximity to the Lower Oder Valley National Park.

History

The area's early significance is linked to a Slavic settlement, with the first documented mention of *Schwedt* appearing in 1265. It gained town rights in the 13th century and later became part of the Margraviate of Brandenburg. A pivotal period began in 1689 when the territory became the seat of the Hohenzollern sideline, the Margraves of Brandenburg-Schwedt, who constructed Schwedt Palace and shaped the Baroque cityscape. The city suffered severe destruction during the Thirty Years' War and again in the final stages of the Second World War, particularly during the intense fighting of the Battle of the Seelow Heights and the subsequent Vistula–Oder Offensive by the Red Army. After 1945, it became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and was radically rebuilt, with its historic center largely replaced by Plattenbau apartment blocks. A defining post-war project was the 1960 construction of the PCK Raffinerie oil refinery, which became the city's dominant economic force.

Geography

Schwedt is located in the Uckermark region, directly adjacent to the Oder river and the Polish voivodeship of Zachodniopomorskie. The city's territory encompasses parts of the Lower Oder Valley National Park, a protected floodplain area of international ecological importance. It lies approximately 25 kilometers north of the district capital, Angermünde, and about 120 kilometers northeast of Berlin. The landscape is characterized by the Oder floodplains, adjacent forests, and the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthaler Wasserstraße, a major canal. The city is divided into several districts, including the central *Schwedt Mitte* and the historic *Kunow*.

Economy

The economy has long been dominated by the petrochemical industry centered on the PCK Raffinerie, one of Germany's largest oil refineries, originally supplied via the Druzhba pipeline from the Soviet Union. Major industrial employers include TotalEnergies and ENI, with the site processing crude oil and producing fuels, lubricants, and feedstocks for the chemical industry. Other significant sectors include paper manufacturing, with the Leipa Group operating a large paper mill, and logistics, benefiting from the city's position on the Oder and proximity to Poland. The service sector, public administration, and tourism related to the national park also contribute to the local economy.

Demographics

Following a peak in the late 1980s, the population has declined significantly since German reunification, a trend common to many former GDR industrial cities, falling from over 50,000 to around 33,000. This decrease is attributed to deindustrialization, outmigration, and a negative natural population growth rate. The demographic structure shows an aging population, though recent years have seen efforts to attract new residents. A small number of residents are of Vietnamese descent, a legacy of guest worker agreements between the GDR and Vietnam.

Culture and sights

Cultural institutions include the Uckermärkische Bühnen Schwedt, a municipal theatre, and the Museum Schwedt/Oder, which documents local history and industrial heritage. Notable sights are the reconstructed Schwedt Palace (now a cultural center), the City Church St. Katharinen, and the Berliner Tor, one of the former city gates. The annual *Schwedter Festwoche* and the *Oderfest* are key public events. The city serves as a gateway to the Lower Oder Valley National Park, offering extensive cycling paths, such as the Oder-Neiße Cycle Path, and opportunities for birdwatching and nature tourism.

Politics

The city council is led by Mayor Jürgen Polzehl of the SPD. The political landscape features strong representation from the Left Party, the CDU, and the Greens, reflecting the city's industrial and ecological dimensions. Schwedt is part of the Bundestag constituency Uckermark – Barnim I and the Brandenburg state constituency Uckermark I. Key political issues often revolve around the future of the refinery in the context of energy transition, cross-border cooperation with Poland, and managing demographic change.

Category:Towns in Brandenburg Category:Uckermark