Olsztyn

In 1334, a watchtower was established on the Łyna River. In 1346, the forest was cleared at the location for a new settlement, mentioned in a historical document from 1348. The following year, the Teutonic Knights began the construction of an Ordensburg (castle) as a stronghold against the Baltic Prussians. Allenstein was granted municipal rights by the cathedral chapter of the Bishopric of Warmia in October 1353. The German "Allenstein" referred to the river's Baltic Prussian name Alna, which meant a hind. Local Poles, having arrived along with German settlers, called it Holstin and Olsztyn, which are Polonizations of the German name. The castle was completed in 1397. …

Olsztyn is located in the north-east part of Poland in the region known as the "Thousand Lakes". More than half of the forests occupying 21.2% of the city area form a single complex of the Municipal Forest (1050 ha) used mainly for recreation and tourism purposes. Within the Municipal Forest area are situated two peat-land flora sanctuaries, Mszar and Redykajny. Municipal greenery (560 ha, 6.5% of the town area) developed in the form of numerous parks, green spots and three cemeteries over a century old. The greenery includes 910 monuments of nature and groups of protected trees in the form of beech, oak, maple and lime-lined avenues. The city is situated in a lake region of forests and plains. There are 15 lakes inside the administrative bounds of the city (13 with areas greater than 1 ha). The overall area of lakes in Olsztyn is about 725 ha, which constitutes 8. …

Stefan Jaracz Theatre (est. 1925) the host of International Theatre Festival DEMOLUDY Puppet Theatre Helios Multikino Museum of Warmia and Mazury (Muzeum Warmii i Mazur) – Olsztyn's largest museum. Gazeta Olsztyńska House (Dom "Gazety Olsztyńskiej") Museum of Nature (Muzeum Przyrody) Museum of Sports (Muzeum Sportu) Muzeum Nowoczesności The historic central district of Olsztyn is the Old Town (Stare Miasto), which contains various historic buildings and structures, including: the Gothic castle of Warmian Chapter, built during the 14th century, former home of Nicolaus Copernicus, now a museum Gothic St. James' Pro-cathedral with Gothic-Renaissance-Baroque interior Old Town Hall on the Market Square – built in the mid-14th century. Gazeta Olsztyńska House at the Targ Rybny ("Fish Market"), now a museum. …

The Michelin Polska tyre company (former Stomil Olsztyn) is the largest employer in the region of Warmia and Masuria. Other important industries are food processing and furniture manufacturing.

A bus network with 36 bus lines exists, including 6 suburban lines and 2 night-time lines. In 1939, due to the poor economic situation throughout the interwar period and the city's growing population, a trolleybus line began operation, partially replacing the original tram network. During the Second World War the cars were mainly driven by women. The trolleybus network consisting of 4 lines was decommissioned on 31 July 1971. Olsztyn has train connections to various major cities in Poland, including Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Szczecin, Poznań, Bydgoszcz, Białystok, Wrocław, Łódź, Toruń, and various towns in the region, including Elbląg, Iława, Działdowo and Ełk. Olsztyn Główny is the main railway station in the city. Plans exist to demolish the building and replace it with new infrastructure, contrary to previous information about the current building being renovated. …

Johannes von Leysen (1310–1388), town founder and mayor Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543), astronomer, administrator, and town commander Johannes Knolleisen (+1511), German academic and provider of academic stipends Lucas David (1503–1583), German historian of Prussia Marcin Kromer (1512–1589), Polish cartographer, diplomat and historian, personal secretary of Kings of Poland, Bishop of Warmia Antoni Blank (1785–1844), Polish painter Hugo Haase (1863–1919), Jewish-German politician, jurist and pacifist Franz Justus Rarkowski (1873–1950), military bishop (1938–1945) August Trunz (1875–1963), founder of the Prussica-Sammlung Trunz Feliks Nowowiejski (1877–1946), Polish composer, conductor, concert organist Maximilian Kaller (1880–1947) German prelate, bishop of Ermland in 1930–1945 Erich Mendelsohn (1887–1953), German-Jewish architect who fled the Nazis Olga Desmond (1891–1964), German dance …