Świecie

Świecie
Market square (Rynek) with the Old Town Hall
Motto(s): 
Świecie - najlepsze na świecie
Świecie - the best in the world
Świecie
Coordinates: 53°25′N 18°26′E / 53.417°N 18.433°E / 53.417; 18.433
Country Poland
VoivodeshipKuyavian-Pomeranian
CountyŚwiecie
GminaŚwiecie
First mentioned1198
Town rights1338
Government
  MayorKrzysztof Kułakowski
Area
  Total
11.87 km2 (4.58 sq mi)
Highest elevation
86 m (282 ft)
Lowest elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2023)
  Total
24,841
  Density2,100/km2 (5,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
86-100 to 86-105
Area code+48 52
Car platesCSW
Websitewww.um-swiecie.pl

Świecie (Polish: [ˈɕfjɛt͡ɕɛ] ; German: Schwetz) is a town in northern Poland with 24,841 inhabitants (2023), capital of Świecie County in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. It is located within the ethnocultural region of Kociewie in the historic region of Pomerania.

Founded in the Middle Ages, Świecie prospered as a trade center due to its location at the intersection of important trade routes. The town features heritage sites in a variety of styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic, a preserved market square, and the region's sole Museum of Firefighting. Świecie is home to one of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in Poland.