Darłowo marks 528 years since historic “sea bear” flood with procession
This Sunday, September 14, the streets of Darłowo will host a historic penitential procession commemorating the city’s worst-ever maritime flood. The 1497 disaster, remembered in chronicles as the “Sea Bear,” devastated the port, flooded warehouses, and washed four moored vessels ashore — one was carried as far as today’s Żukowo Morskie.
history west pomerania news13 september 2025 | 23:44 | Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP | Prepared by: Kamil Kusier | Print
fot. Miasto Darłowo
The anniversary events will begin at 17:00 with vespers in St. Gertrude’s Church, followed by a procession through Św. Gertrudy, Wieniawskiego, Chopina, Morska and Wenedów streets. The solemn march will feature clergy, city officials, the Honor Guard of the Maritime School, residents, and visitors, accompanied by the Sławno Brass Band. A mass in the Marian Church will conclude the event, with the mayor presenting a votive candle — a gesture traditionally made by Darłowo’s leaders since the flood.
Modern geological research suggests that the 1497 event was likely a tsunami triggered by an earthquake near Sweden’s Lake Vänern, possibly amplified by a methane gas release from the Baltic seabed — an explanation for the “roaring” sound reported before the wave struck.
Today, Darłowo is a port town of about 13,000 inhabitants located on Poland’s Baltic coast, at the mouth of the Wieprza and Grabowa rivers. Its harbor and eastern district, Darłówko, remain significant for maritime tourism and local shipping.
Buy us a coffee, and we’ll invest in great maritime journalism! Support Gazeta Morska and help us sail forward – click here!
Kamil Kusier
redaktor naczelny
comments
Add the first comment
see also
December 1970: remembering the maritime workers of Gdynia
Cadet Day: tradition, heritage and the professional formation of future naval officers
Gdynia marks its centenary. A port city that shaped Poland’s maritime future
A commanding return: former CO of KNM Stord revisits his submarine decades later
Formoza: 50 years of Poland’s elite naval commandos. Half a century of maritime special operations
Golden Cross of Honor for the president of PGZ Naval Shipyard
Independence - a sea of opportunities. A free, maritime Poland. President Karol Nawrocki: Seize the chance!
Świnoujście marks Poland’s Independence Day with cavalry parade and naval presence
Australian Defence force marks Remembrance Day
Maritime All Souls’ Day. Honoring those who never returned from the sea
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT