The town and harbour are situated at the mouth of the Wieprza river.
The foundation took place in 1271 through Witzlaw II from Rügen. After the decay of the settlement and the reestablishment, it became a member of the Hansa League in 1312 and had in the 16th century important trade with Scandinavia and Poland.
With rough sea and wind from west it is to be remained impossible being in the Wieprza because of the quay wall.