Kłomino — the abandoned ghost town near Borne Sulinowo

Kłomino (formerly Westfalenhof) is a former military settlement that lost its purpose when Soviet troops left in 1992 and gradually turned into a ghost town. Its history, its surviving ruins amid the forest and the traces of the old garrison make it one of the most unusual things to see near Borne Sulinowo.

Not far from Borne Sulinowo, hidden in the forests of Western Pomerania, lies Kłomino — a settlement once full of military life, where today only the remains of its buildings recall the past. It's worth a visit for anyone interested in Poland's military history and the history of abandoned settlements.

Westfalenhof: a military settlement on the map of the past

The history of Kłomino began in the 1930s, when Germany was expanding its military infrastructure around the Gross Born training ground — today's Borne Sulinowo. The settlement, known as Westfalenhof, was part of this military complex.

During the Second World War, the area was linked not only to military training but also to prisoner-of-war camps, including Oflag II D, covered in the previous part of this series. So the history of Kłomino is more than a story of abandoned buildings; it's part of the region's difficult wartime past.

The Soviet garrison: a town behind closed doors

After the war, the Red Army took over the area. A closed military settlement was later built here for Soviet soldiers and their families. Kłomino had apartment blocks and everyday facilities, including shops and other services the garrison needed.

Accounts of Kłomino often say that up to 5,000 people may have lived here towards the end of the Soviet period. This figure should be treated as an estimate, though: sources give different numbers.

One widely repeated account claims that bricks from demolished German buildings in Kłomino were used in the construction of Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science. The story appears in Polish media reports, although readers interested in the details should consult the original sources listed below.

A ghost town after 1992

When Soviet troops left Kłomino in 1992, the settlement lost its main purpose. People moved away, the buildings were left without maintenance, and the former garrison town began to decay.

In the years that followed, the abandoned apartment blocks, locally nicknamed “Leningradkas”, became the symbol of Kłomino — and one of the best-known images of an abandoned town in Poland. The ruins drew photographers, urban explorers and travellers keen to see an unusual trace of recent history.

Over time, some of the buildings were demolished. So today Kłomino no longer looks the way it does in old photographs: much of the former settlement has disappeared, and only a few buildings and traces of the past remain.

Practical tips for visitors

• Getting there. Kłomino lies not far from Borne Sulinowo, in the forests of Western Pomerania. The easiest way to get there is by car. Check the route and the condition of the access road before you set off.
• Stay out of the ruins. Abandoned buildings can be structurally unsafe: damaged floors, unstable walls and debris are a real danger. View them from a safe distance.
• Respect access restrictions. Parts of the area and some buildings may be privately owned or closed to visitors. Follow the signs and don't enter fenced-off areas without permission.
• Treat the site with respect. Kłomino is connected not only to the garrison's history but also to the events of the Second World War and the fate of prisoners of war. It is more than just a place for urban exploration and photography.
• Don't expect facilities on site. Bring water, a charged phone and anything else you need, and check the latest information on access before you go.

Kłomino — a trace of history in the forest

Kłomino is an unusual addition to a trip to Borne Sulinowo. Its story shows how a military settlement once closed to outsiders turned, within a few decades, into a place that nature is slowly reclaiming.

Visiting Kłomino helps you understand the region's past — from German military infrastructure to the Soviet garrison and the settlement's later decline.

If you're planning a few days exploring Borne Sulinowo, the surrounding forests and the sites of former military bases, Slow Life Apartment is a comfortable place to stay. It's a chance to rest after your trips and keep discovering the region at your own pace. Discover Slow Life Apartment or view it on Airbnb.

Sources and further reading:

• Kłomino — Wikipedia
• Gazeta Szczecińska — an article about the abandoned town (in Polish)
• RMF24 — the history of Kłomino and its former garrison (in Polish)