 The area was initially inhabited by the Goths in the ancient times, followed by the West Slavs, whose settlements called "gords" were most likely burned down by Duke Bolesław III the Wrymouth, thus incorporating Pomerania into the Polish state.The abundance of isthmuses on the numerous lakes in the region helped to protect the towns from invasions and plunder.In the autumn of 1286, the Prince of Greater Poland and future King of Poland Przemysł II brought the Templar Knights to a nearby fishing village for defensive purposes, hence the former name of "Tempelburg".