A visit to the capital of Warmia and Mazury

Olsztyn is a city with a long and interesting history. Its beginnings date back to the times of the Teutonic presence in the area of Warmia and Masuria. During the wars between the Polish Crown and the Teutonic Order in the 16th century the city changed hands many times, and its successful defence in 1521 was led by Nicolaus Copernicus himself.
A visit to the capital of Warmia and Mazury

Today Olsztyn is the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and a thriving urban centre in northern Poland. Situated near national road number 7, it is a gateway to Warmia and Mazury. The nearest airport, Olsztyn Mazury Airport, is located about 60 km from the city centre. 

Attractions of Olsztyn

Olsztyn is a town best visited on foot. Most of the interesting places can be reached within walking distance - even the Municipal Beach on Lake Ukiel is within a half-hour walk from the downtown area. 

The High Gate 

We start our walk from the High Gate, through which we enter the market square. This Gothic building is one of the three city gates that once existed. Today a hotel is located inside the High Gate. Archaeological excavations are being carried out in the square in front of the gate and the uncovered remains of the former city fortifications are one of Olsztyn's tourist attractions. 

Old Town Square and Old Town Hall

Compared to the markets in Warsaw or Cracow, Olsztyn's Old Town Square is not very big, but it still has a great charm of its own. It is a former trading square, which in time became the centre of the city, having been rebuilt after the war. The surrounding tenement houses are buildings reconstructed in Renaissance and Baroque style on the basis of preserved photographs. 

While strolling around the small Olsztyn Old Town, it is worth paying attention to two buildings - the seat of the Association of Polish Architects at 14 Kołłątaja Street, with a beautiful 1st floor half-timbered structure, and a brick granary at 13 Piastowska Street. 

In the central point is the Old Town Hall - now a library, but once the building housed the magistrate and the courts. The sundials on the facade are impossible to miss. 

The Warmia Chapter Castle

This Gothic defensive castle was built in the 14th century and for a long time was the heart of the city. As the seat of the administrator of the Warmia Chapter estate, it was the most magnificent building of its kind in the region. It was from here that Nicolaus Copernicus directed the defence of the city. Copernicus not only worked as an administrator of the Warmia Chapter, but also developed his passion for astronomy. A memento of this is the astronomical plaque on the wall of the cloister.

In later years, a late Baroque wing was added to the Gothic part. Today the castle is the seat of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury, and visitors can visit the chambers and the courtyard. 

It is worth mentioning that in the courtyard there are sculptures of unknown function and origin - the so-called Prussian women, which contrary to their name do not represent women, but male figures.

Town forest

About a 20-minute walk away is the City Forest - the largest complex of its kind within the city limits in Europe. It is one of the favourite places for active relaxation for the inhabitants of Olsztyn. 

The Forest is crossed by two rivers - the Łyna and the Wadąg - which are particularly popular with canoeists. There are also cycle paths of varying difficulty, hiking trails and rope parks. 

The path around Lake Długie is particularly pleasant to walk on. 

Lakes 

Residents of Olsztyn cannot complain about the number of water bodies in the town. There are eight larger and three smaller bodies of water. Particularly beautiful are the already mentioned Dlugie Lake, Ukiel Lake, Skanda Lake and Kortowskie Lake. The latter is also interesting because in the Kortowo area, by the lake itself, there is a campus of the University of Warmia and Mazury.

Hala Urania

The Urania Hall is a large sports and entertainment venue built in the 1970s. It is an iconic place on the map of Olsztyn, which is currently undergoing major renovation due to numerous technical problems. It is an iconic place on the map of Olsztyn, currently undergoing a major renovation due to numerous technical problems. The building is due to be completed in 2023.

Planetarium

In the city where the great astronomer lived, a planetarium could not be missing. The Olsztyn one was established in 1973 on the 500th anniversary of Nicolaus Copernicus' birth. Here you can watch various astronomical shows, listen to a lecture by the astronomer and see an exhibition.

Where to rent a car in Olsztyn?

If you want to rent a car in Olsztyn, you can do it in two places: in the city at 3 Dorantt Street or at the Olsztyn Mazury Airport in Szymany. We are open for you from 8:00 to 21:00, 7 days a week. To contact us, just call (+48) 666 172 166 or write to szy@carwiz.pl.