The existence of the town was first documented in 1124, when it was part of the Duchy of Pomerania, which had been conquered by the Polish duke Bolesław III Wrymouth.

It was then visited by Otto of Bamberg,[3] who was entrusted by Bolesław III Wrymouth with the Christianization of Western Pomerania.

[4] The name of the town derives from Old-Polabian from the word *gardec < *gordьcь, meaning "small fortified settlement".

Following the fragmentation of Poland in 1138 it was part of the separate Duchy of Pomerania, which in 1227 fell under the overlordship of the multi-ethnic Holy Roman Empire.

In 1284, it was one of the Pomeranian towns that guaranteed a peace treaty between the Duchy of Pomerania and the Margraviate of Brandenburg.