Here Nicolaus Copernicus lived and worked for many years, and died. Once a medieval stronghold, the Cathedral Hill, holds all the major attractions. To the oldest buildings belongs the monumental brick cathedral surrounded by defensive walls and the Old Bishops' Palace (14th c.) which now houses the Copernicus Museum. The hill offers a sweeping view over the Vistula Lagoon and Sand-Bar. Frombork is an important sailing and ice-boating centre. The international festival of organ music is held every year.
>>>>
Hitler's headquarters at Gierłoż known as the Wolf's Lair is one of the most sinister places in the region, but it attracts many tourists because of its legendary climate. The fortress is composed of 80 buildings, 50 of them are bunkers. The headquarters had its own electric power generator, railway station and an air-strip. Quarters of the top Nazi officials as well as casino and cinema were located in the central part of the compound. The whole area was camouflaged, protected by wire entanglements and mine fields. Retreating in 1945, the Germans dynamited the fortress. Its ruins are available for visitors. >>>> >>>>
Here, on 15 July 1410, the combined Polish, Lithuanian and Russian forces under King Władysław Jagiełło defeated the army of the Teutonic Knights. Guided tours of the museum and the Grunwald battlefield include the granite monument, ruins of the chapel raised after the battle and the Jagiełło mound. On weekend closest to the battle anniversary various celebrations are organized and they include an enactment of the battle, military and scout commemorations, knights' tournaments, fairs and concerts.
>>>> >>>>
The former seat of the Warmia bishops and the capital of the region, Lidzbark Warmiński's pride is the bishops' castle. One part of it called przedzamcze contains a baroque palace. Through the bridge over the moat visitors enter the Gothic, well-preserved castle from the 14th century. Its chapel has sumptuous rococo interior decorations. Today the castle houses the Warmian Museum with a rich collection of sacral art. On the hilltop stands the neo-classical bishops' palace surrounded by a park. Nicolaus Copernicus lived in the castle in 1503-10. >>>>
It is know for the castle with its rectangular courtyard erected by the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century. The western wing is ornamented with gables, while the castle chapel and the refectory have fragments of frescoes from the 15th century. Now the castle contains a museum and a hotel. Nearby fragments of fortified city walls with two towers.
>>>>
This old city picturesquely set on the hills upon the Łyna River has eleven lakes within its limits and 21% of its area is covered by woods. The Warmia and Masuria Regional Museum is housed in the Gothic castle of the Warmia Bishops which once served as a home for Nicolaus Copernicus. His room contains a biographical display. Summer concerts of organ music are held in the Gothic St James' cathedral. Olsztyn's other attractions include a planetarium and an astronomical observatory.
>>>> >>>>
One of Poland's biggest skansens was arranged in Olsztynek in 1938. It was started with copies of farm timber houses brought from Köningsberg. Today the scenic openair ethnographic park features several dozen original and reconstructed houses from Warmia, Masuria and even Lithuania. Visitors can admire half-timbered houses, granaries, wind-mills, farm outbuildings, a country-inn, a church, all fully equipped and with animals which made the whole experience very realistic.
>>>>
Reszel is a small market town with many well-preserved historic buildings. Its narrow streets are lined with eclectic old houses, in the market square stands the 19th century town hall and the Gothic bridges span the banks of the river. The most attractive is the two-winged brick bishops' castle (14th-16th cc.) with its round tower, soaring neo- Gothic pinacle and a solid gate leading into the cobblestoned courtyard. Today the castle contains a gallery of modern art.
>>>>
Its Jesuit monastic complex is considered the most beautiful baroque construction in Poland. A baroque gateway (18th c.) leads visitors and pilgrims into the Marian sanctuary. The three-nave basilica has a very impressive and richly adorned interior. Built in 1721, its baroque organ has figures of saints and angels that can be put in motion by a special mechanism. The angel on the central tower plays a mandolin, while the cherubs turn around.
>>>>
Built in the 19th century, the canal today is a historic monument of hydrographical art and a real tourist attraction. >From the technical point of view, it is one of the most interesting navigation routes in Europe. The canal deals with the 99.5m difference in water levels by means of a system of slipways, locks, dams and safety gates. Five slipways permit for carrying boats across dry land on railmounted trolleys. The length of the canal is 80km, and it takes 11 hours to get from one end to another. However, if time presses one can get off the boat at Małdyty and make the trip 50% shorter. >>>>
The Krutynia River waterway is the most beautiful kayaking route in Poland. It begins at Sorkwity and ends where the river flows into the Bełdany Lake. The trail takes you through 17 lakes and some streams of the Pisz Forest. Tourists stay in touch with unspoilt nature, admiring aquatic flora and fauna, watching mute swans, the biggest European birds, and traveling across multiple nature reserves.
>>>>
The complex of Poland's largest lakes is set in the beautiful landscape. The lakes have diversified shoreline and are a real paradise for sailors and anglers. Interconnected by rivers, canals and locks, they create a unique inland navigation route and are very popular with water sports fans. Sailing routes are particularly attractive. The region is a habitat of many aquatic birds. The Łuknajno Lake reserve found its way onto UNESCO's list of world Biosphere Reserves. Tourist are not allowed into the reserve, but they can watch birds from many observation towers. >>>>
The place is known for its highest viaducts in Poland that were once a part of the local railway system. The arcaded constructions are 3m high and 150m long, and were erected in 1926. They resemble ancient aqueducts thanks to their pillars and open-work railings. The pillars were built of timber logs set in concrete. The area is suitable for water sports, hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
>>>>
The village shelters a Marian sanctuary known as Polish Lourdes, visited by many pilgrims. The 15th century church was enlarged in the 19th century in neo-Gothic style. It holds a miraculous picture of Our Lady with Child from the 16th century. The local Karczma Warmińska inn features specialties of the regional cuisine. >>>>
