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A visit to Olsztyn

a castle
One of the most recognizable views of Olsztyn - the Castle. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Special for you guys :)

I'm having a hard time starting this thread. I'm sitting over the MacBook keyboard and I'm wondering what exactly I would like to tell you. It is difficult to write about the city where I was born, spent my childhood, experienced first loves, successes and failures, grew up and studied.

the high school building is surrounded by a park, there is also a statue of a Polish poet
The oldest public high school in Olsztyn named after the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

It's hard to write about the city that you love and which unfortunately had to be left behind for a while. Sometimes life gives us surprises, not always pleasant ones. So it was with me. Due to my husband's job, I had to move 600 kilometers from Olsztyn - actually to the other end of Poland. The first years were very difficult and sad. After some time, I got used to living in a smaller town. I gave birth to children. However, I never gave up the idea of leaving my beloved Olsztyn forever. Hence our common decision to build a house here. This is our main goal now…. And our dream.

It was because of these emotions that it was so hard for me to get on with this thread. Now it's high time to face emotions, feelings and reflections.

amphitheater at the foot of the castle
The amphitheatre and the Castle in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

After the administrative reform, Olsztyn became a beautifully developing city, the capital of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. There are several lakes within the city limits. Olsztyn is surrounded by lush forests with wild plants and animals. It is very close to Olsztynek from Olsztyn. There is a wonderful open-air museum, which I personally recommend visiting.

How far is it from Warsaw to Olsztyn?

The distance from Warsaw to Olsztyn is 220 km.

More information about Olsztyn, you can find on Wikipedia

The city offers the possibility of active recreation as well as cultural experiences.

water inflatables on the lake
Lake Ukiel. The largest lake in Olsztyn with an area of 412 ha. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

In Olsztyn there are, among others, the Warmian-Masurian Philharmonic named after Feliks Nowowiejski, the Theatre named after Stefan Jaracz, several art galleries, the Olsztyn Puppet Theatre, the Olsztyn Astronomical Planetarium, the Museum of Warmia and Mazury, whose seat is located in the Castle of the Warmian Chapter, and a number of cultural institutions, such as the Polish-French Center Cotes-d'Armor - Warmia and Mazury.

a brick building of the museum
The House of Gazeta Olsztyńska. A branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury. Old Town of Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Olsztyn is a city of many famous actors, writers, singers, but also Nicolaus Copernicus, who lived in the Olsztyn castle, where the amphitheater is now located. Olsztyn is a city of fantastic racers Marian Bublewicz and Krzysztof Hołowczyc, it is also the city of the first Polish woman in the MMA organization - Ultimate Fighting Championship Joanna Jędrzejczyk. 

a monument of Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus lived in the Olsztyn castle in the years 1516-1519 and 1520-1521. There, on one of the walls of the cloister, he drew the famous astronomical table, which helped to indicate the autumn and spring equinoxes. Nicolaus Copernicus bench in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

This city is neither too small nor too big, for me it is great to live. What is the main reason for my love for this city? I think that Olsztyn wins thanks to its greenery. Olsztyn surprises, attracts and invites you to relax and explore. 

trees behind which the church tower emerges
The view of the Central Park in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a river flows in the foreground, a castle emerges behind the trees
This is one of my beloved places in Olsztyn. The Łyna flows here calmly, there is a lot of greenery, a castle emerges from behind the trees. Although we are very close to the old town, it is quiet and peaceful here. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

I invite you to see the rest of the photos from my hometown :)

The city beach in Olsztyn offers: equipment rental (kayaks, pedal boats, rowing boats, sailing boats). You can also rent a motorboat with a skipper, use a slide, 6 beach volleyball courts, a basketball court or a beach football field. There is a small gastronomy and a walk on the pier offers beautiful view of the lake. 

a wooden pier and the boats next to it
The city beach in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

In July 2023, the "Beach Project" of the TVN station took place. The program was broadcast live on a nationwide television station.

ground balloons from the TVN station
TVN in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyński

The New Town Hall in Olsztyn was built in 1912-1915. Currently, the seat of the mayor of Olsztyn is located here.

the town hall
The New Town Hall in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

We are in the Central Park which was created quite recently, in 2014. There are four bridges connecting the banks of the Łyna, a canoe marina, many paths for pedestrians and cyclists, and a fountain with a special night illumination. The park also has a small, covered amphitheater square, an open-air gym and a safe playground with elements of small recreational architecture.

a boy is sitting on the pier and holding his legs in the river
The Łyna is a very clean river. The Central Park in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a woman standing near the fountain
The “Solar System” Fountain in the Central Park in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyński

On the way to the Cathedral.

a statue of three birds, the cathedral in the background
The original sculpture "Warmia cranes". Photo by A. Rybczyński

Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Jacob the Apostle in Olsztyn was built in the second half of the 14th century in the Gothic style. 

a cathedral
The Gothic Cathedral in the Old Town in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
the interior of the cathedral
The interior of the Cathedral in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a wooden pulpit in the cathedral
A wonderful pulpit in the Cathedral in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a brick entrance to the cathedral
A gothic portal of the main entrance. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

 

organ in the cathedral
The organ was restored in 2006-08. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the eminent composer Feliks Nowowiejski played there, and he was the organist here. Since 1979, the annual Olsztyn Organ Concerts have been held in the temple. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

We are in the Old Town. Take a close look at this orange corner of the building. There is a carved picture!

a street in the old town
The carved facade of the building. The Old Town in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Saint James is a patron of Olsztyn. Every year in Olsztyn there is a Jacob's Fair, during which there are stalls with regional food and artistic products in the picturesque streets of the Old Town.

statue of the patron saint of the city
The statue of Saint James in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

In the years 1920-1939, the house of "Gazeta Olsztyńska" housed the editor, the printing house of "Gazeta Olsztyńska" and a bookshop. In November 1939 the building was razed to the ground. After reconstruction, the building was put back into use on September 1, 1989. Currently, the building houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury.

a red brick building, in front of which a woman is sitting on a bench
The house of “Gazeta Olsztyńska” in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyński 
a brick evangelical church
The Evangelical Church in Olsztyn. The Old Town. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
tenement houses in the old town
Tenement houses and the Evangelical church on the left in the Old Town of Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

And this is my favourite restaurant on the Łyna River where you can try traditional dishes such as regional cheeses, sausages, blood soup, sour soup, dumplings, roast duck with cherry or innkeeper pancakes. 

three sculptures of Prussian women
In front of the restaurant we are greeted by traditional Prussian crones. Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
Sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk stands right next to the bridge of St. John of Nepomuk on Łyna, which is the oldest bridge in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyński
one of the streets of the old town
The relief "Masurian Mermaid" in the Old Town of Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The Old Town Hall is located in the center of the Old Town Square and was established as the seat of Olsztyn's authorities. The Gothic part of the building, the present southern wing, is one of the oldest architectural monuments in the city. This part was erected around 1500. Currently, the entire building is occupied by the Provincial Public Library.

a building of the library in the old town
The Old Town Hall in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Chwacko - this was the slogan that accompanied the artistic summer of 2023 in Olsztyn. It was a time of dozens of performances, films, exhibitions, concerts, animations, open-air theaters and artistic picnics. More over a juicy and fresh strawberry was to become a symbol of great fun. 

the old town
The High Gate in Olsztyn in the background. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The High Gate from the end of the 14th century is the most impressive remain of the medieval fortifications of the city and the only one preserved among the three gates that were part of them (the others were the Lower and Mill Gates). In the gate from the side of the Old Town there is a mosaic of Our Lady of Peace. The mosaic is a gift from Pope John Paul II.

so called high tower
The High Gate in Olsztyn in all its glory. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a high gate
In the square in front of the High Gate, as a result of the excavations carried out, the remains of the former fortifications were discovered. Photo by A. Rybczyński

In the "Museum of Modernity", which was established in the revitalized Raphaelsohn Sawmill.

a woman in a hat is lying on the sofa
I could even change clothes. "Museum of Modernity" in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyński
a boy is standing in front of a huge tire made for Airbus aircraft
A huge tyre for Airbus made by Michelin. "Museum of Modernity" in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska 

The controversial monument of the Liberation of the Warmian-Masurian Land, which was previously called the Monument of Gratitude to the Soviet Army.

monument in the socialist realist style commemorating the liberation of the city
The fate of the monument is not sure. In 2023, by decision of the government authorities, the monument is to be removed... what does the local government say? We'll see. Maybe this is one of the last photos of this monument. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
a brick building of the post office
Main Post Office in Olsztyn. The historic building of the post office in Olsztyn, built in 1887 in the neo-gothic style. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The building of the former regency was built in the years 1908-1911 in the historicist style. Currently, it houses the Marshal's Office of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship and the Provincial Administrative Court in Olsztyn.

the building of the administrative court, the walls of which are covered with honeysuckle
One of many historic buildings in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

There are many churches in Olsztyn and the thread would be too monothematic if I only put pictures of churches. But I wanted to present, apart from the cathedral, at least one more church - the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

a church emerges behind the trees
The old, narrow streets with many trees hide many local treasures. This is one of them. I love such shots where nature goes hand in hand with architecture. Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
the main entrance to the church
The main entrance to the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
the interior of the church with rows of pews and the main altar in the background
The interior of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

 

wooden carved pulpit
The carved neo-Gothic pulpit depicts the following scenes: 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, Jesus teaching in the courtyard of the temple, the sermon on the mount, a conversation with a Samaritan woman. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska 

 

the main altar close up
The main neo-Gothic altar from 1911 is made of wood, polychromed with a rich iconographic program. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska
side altar and stained glass windows
A magnificent side altar with stained glass windows. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rbczyńska

There is an interesting story behind this magnificent building (below in the photo) and its owner. Otto Naujack was a butcher, then he made bricks, and finally he built tenement houses, which he then rented out. Some of the buildings on today's Dąbrowszczaków, Warmińska and Mickiewicza streets belonged to Naujack. During the war, many buildings that once belonged to Najack were destroyed. Only a few tenement houses at Warmińska and Mickiewicza streets have survived, as well as two beautiful villas - Fortuna and the Naujack's Willa presented below. 

a historical building from 1907
The Art Nouveau Villa, also known as Naujack's Villa or Naujack's Palace, built in 1907. In 1989 entered into the Register of Monuments. Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

Going from Naujack's Villa towards the center, you will see the monument of the Home Army unveiled in 2014.

a monument commemorating Polish soldiers fighting during World War II
Monument dedicated to the Home Army in Olsztyn. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

The Old Town impresses me even in winter. 

two boys are sitting on a large red decorative armchair, a decorated Christmas tree is standing next to them
The Old Town in Olsztyn in winter. Photo by A. Rybczyńska 
two kids playing with the Christmas decorations in the old town
It is said that pinching Copernicus' nose brings good luck. The Olsztyn Castle in the background. Photo by A. Rybczyńska

How to get to Olsztyn?

Polish map outline and website address
If you have any questions,
please write to me
Agnieszka Rybczyńska

aga@gotopoland.net

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