Nova civitas (New city), today's Gryfice, was granted town privileges in 1262 by Duke Wartislaw III of the House of Griffin. The city was established under Lübeck law on the left bank of the lower Rega river. From 1262 to 1648, it belonged to the lands of the Pomeranian dukes, from the House of Griffin. From 1648 to 1701, it was part of Brandenburg-Prussia. From 1701 to 1918, it belonged to the Kingdom of Prussia (since 1871, part of the German Empire), and from 1918 to the state of Prussia within the German Reich. From 1919 to 1933, Gryfice belonged to the Weimar Republic, while from 1933 to 1945, it was part of Nazi Germany. From 1945 to 1952, Gryfice belonged to Rzeczpospolita, from 1952 to 1989 to the Polish People's Republic, and since 1989 to Rzeczpospolita.
Despite armed attacks from numerous robber barons, wartime devastation, and frequent fires, Gryfice developed quite dynamically. They reached their economic peak between the 14th and the mid-16th centuries. Later, even after World War II, they did not lose their significance in the region. The city plays an important role in the political, economic, and social life of the local community.
Traces of pre-locational and locational settlement of the city Research conducted by German and Polish archaeologists indicates that the Gryfice land was inhabited during the Neolithic period. Evidence of material culture from this period has been found in Bielikowo, Gąbino, Gosław, Pruszcz, and Strzykocin, which has been confirmed in later periods. Additionally, settlement in these areas was confirmed in later periods (the Bronze Age), including in Kołomąć, Kępa, , Rewal, Smolęcin, Wyszków, Cerkwica, Niedźwiedziska, Rogozina, Niedysz, Chomętowo, Skrobotowo, Rzęskowo, Wołczyn, Witno, and Trzebusz.;
Studies based on sources indicate that these areas were inhabited by Germanic peoples in the 2nd century AD. Ptolemy's treatise – Geography (Greek) Γεωγραφικὴ Ὑφήγησις (2nd century AD) – lists among these peoples those who inhabited the areas of today's Western Pomerania and Gdańsk. Contemporary studies on the treatise (D. Stichtenoth) indicate that the areas from the Szczecin Lagoon to the east to the Wieprza river were inhabited by the Sidini. Their western neighbors were the Farodinians, and their eastern neighbors were the Rutiklians.
Archaeological research has not confirmed the continuity of settlement in these areas, reaching Gryfice back to the V period of the Bronze Age (Hallstatt period) – the Lusatian culture, or the later period – the Jastorf culture. Some researchers, based on traces indicating a developing early medieval settlement in this area between the 5th and 7th/8th centuries, speculated that the beginning of the town was given by three hamlets from around the 10th century, one of which (possibly a gord) could have formed the basis for the future location. The location of the town in an area developed before the 13th century was confirmed by contemporary archaeological research. Archaeologist Marek Dworaczyk excavated and described the remains of a settlement (hearths and artifacts) with strong influences of the Hallstatt culture (Bronze Age period, i.e., 10th–8th centuries BC) in the area of the present-day Treasury Office in Gryfice on Niepodległości Street. The settlement extended northeast towards the current Victory Square.
It is also not known what the nature and type of the settlement were at that time. However, it is known that it was inhabited by people of the Lusatian culture and temporarily penetrated by inhabitants of the nearby Lubieszewo. In the Old Town, surface surveys were conducted in the 1960s, and specialized archaeological research has been carried out for about 20 years. They were carried out during investment works (infrastructure retrofitting). Historical sources from the late Middle Ages were excavated in several parts of the Old Town. Right next to Wałowa Street, in its southern part (S), relicts of the city wall were excavated, and the sediment level of the moat was registered. Fragments of city fortifications were also excavated on Klasztorna Street. Further discoveries recorded cultural layers on Niepodległości Street (14th–15th century), while on Ruta Street, surveys and linear excavations revealed fragments of wooden pavement, which was made of planks and beams. According to archaeologists, they constituted part of the street and fragments of residential and economic buildings (13th–14th century).
Marek Dworaczyk, after analyzing the existing archaeological research, summarized the knowledge about the beginnings of Nova civitas as follows:In the light of the data available today (...) Gryfice arose on the so-called "raw root," in a relatively sparsely populated area. It seems that the primary intention of founding the town in this area was both settlement and economic intensification in this part of Pomerania.
Middle ages In the early Middle Ages, the territories of the Gryfice land were inhabited by the tribes of the Western Pomeranians. These were circles of influence, according to newer research – the Wolinians, Prissani, and (deriving from Lechitic tribes, the same as the Veleti), and later, until the mid-13th century, the Kashubians, and not, as previously erroneously suggested, the Severians. Remnants of early medieval settlements are hillforts in Lubin, Prusinowo, Trzygłów, and Witno.
During the times of Mieszko I and Bolesław I the Brave, these lands were briefly annexed to the Polish state. In 1121 (or 1119), advocates an annual date for the battle – 1119. the () took place in the Gryfice land, in which Bolesław III Wrymouth defeated the forces of Western Pomerania led by the dukes Wartislaw I and Swietopelk I. In the spring of 1124, at the behest of Duke Bolesław Wrymouth, a mission of Bishop Otto of Bamberg arrived at the lower Rega. In the nearby Clodonie (Latin) (probably today's Kłodkowo), the Wends (Slavs) from the area were baptized without any resistance. Folklore also states that the teachings of the new faith were carried out in a place called "Apostołów", land lying between today's Gryfice and Trzygłów.
In the mid-13th century, the rulers of Pomerania were the princes from the Pomeranian House of Griffin, Barnim I and Wartislaw III, who encouraged settlement in these areas to strengthen their power. Barnim I, the Duke of Szczecin, ruling the eastern areas, settled mainly German population here, while Wartislaw III, the Duke of Demmin, ruling the western areas, encouraged Dutch and Danish settlers to settle. From 1234, Barnim I and Wartislaw III competed with each other in founding cities. Wartislaw founded Greifswald, Demmin, and Kołobrzeg. In 1262, he issued a town charter based on Lübeck law, in which the settlement (composed of three villages) received town privileges and 100 lans of land in the vicinity of the lower Rega river. The town charter designated the city's name as Nova civitas supra Regam (New city above the Rega). Lokator of the city, Jakob von Trebetow, received 20 lans of land and the task of founding the city. After the death of Wartislaw III, the owner of his lands became Barnim I, who confirmed the grants of location and rights. From his time comes the name of the city – Civitat Griphemberch super Regam (Gryfia Góra – city above the Rega) from 21 September 1264. The locality received customs rights, forest clearance, navigation on the Redze river and coastal waters, temporary tax exemption (for 10 years), enabling it to become significantly wealthier.
In the course of the 13th century, the significance of the center increased. After the town's founding, a rural gmina was established in Gryfice (an important administrative link), which took over the former functions of the pre-location settlement. The dukes of Szczecin entrusted the city with a significant portion of taxes, courts, and jura regalia. The center was subordinate to the castellania of Kamień Pomorski. The first merchants, settlers in Gryfice, were residents of Gryfia (today's Greifswald in Germany). The influx of Germans was gradual and did not cause drastic changes in local governing spheres. Merchants organized the purchase of profitable products, including grains, wax, hides, resin, hemp, meat, and honey. Goods were exported to counterparties in Lübeck, and from there to further European recipients. However, the basis for the city's development was native trade and the development of local craftsmanship. Numerous sołectwos, mills, and taverns were established. Gryfice's export goods were associated with annual markets held in the city. The largest of these included St. Gawel's Fair (October 10), honey markets (September 30), and poultry markets.
At the end of the 13th century, the construction of the brick St. Mary's church with three naves began, and in 1300, the construction of defensive walls surrounding the city. Their total length reached 650 meters with a span of 200–350 meters. The city fortifications were enriched with 3 gates ( with a foregate, , and Rega Gate with a barbican), 3 shooting towers (, Bridge Tower, and Mill Tower), numerous bastions, and a moat. The municipal council consisted of 9 to 12 councilors. Every year on St. Michael's Day (September 29), 1/3 of the council was changed. The authorities took over lower judiciary functions. In 1316 and 1357, the city entered into alliances against robbers who conducted raids, plundered, and attacked neighboring villages. These alliances restored the normalization of life and economic development.
At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, Gryfice had about 500 inhabitants. In the city center, near the main market square, a massive Gothic town hall was erected, which served various functions. The first mention of the mayor of Gryfice dates back to 1398. It was Hinze Slede, who served in this capacity until 1419. provides the year 1329. The town hall housed cloth halls and the seat of the lay court. In the basement of this building was the municipal prison with a dungeon, carcer subterranensis. Since 1327, the city had the right to impose punishment (gallows, stake, sword, and executioner's axe). Next to the town hall was the "weigh house", where butchers and bakers paid taxes. Religious life flourished. In the 13th century, a Franciscan monastery was established here, along with an adjoining church (on Bracka and Klasztorna streets). In the following century, the city already had 5 churches with almshouses and hospitals.
In one of the documents from 1386, a Latin school in Gryfice was mentioned, commonly referred to as the oldest "Latin" school in Pomerania. The position of this school was not high. The rector (rector scolarium), Johannes Parsow, was denied the title dominus and was only referred to as "master". His students were called "apprentices of the teaching art". They formed the church choir and were obliged to participate in three consecutive services, funerals, and assistance to the sick. The school operated under the patronage of the St. Mary's church. According to H. Berghaus, such a school in Gryfice was only established in 1426.
Next to the splendid houses of the patricians and knights, buildings made of wood and clay, covered with reeds or straw, were erected. Gryfice had two guilds – merchants and brewers. Craftsmanship was represented by numerous guild organizations. Craftsmen were responsible for transporting supplies for the princely court, maintaining fortification equipment, cleaning moats, and providing armed protection for the city. Besides merchants and craftsmen, the city was inhabited by a large number of commoners, engaged in the heaviest work related to construction, transportation, and navigation. They were also employed in herding municipal and private cattle herds. The wealth of the merchants determined their position in the city and strengthened the power of this group in Gryfice's social life.