Nature Reserve

more Within the city boundaries there are two valuable nature reserves – areas of the protection of rare peat land vegetation: Mszar (of the area of 4 ha) and Redykajny (of the area of 10 ha), which have been taken a special care of since as early as the beginning of the 20th century. Both nature reserves are the home of plant species typical of peat land habitats: carexrostrata, carex heleonastes, alder forest, rare moss species. The tree frog – a well-known representative of protected amphibians,can be seen in the Redykajny nature reserve.[Olsztyn]

Arboretum

more Arboretum named after the Polish Forest Society in Kudypy, was organized by The Forest Inspectorate in Kudypy. The Arboretum is situated next to the western boundary of the city in a forested area regarded as one of the most beautiful corners of Warmia owing to its picturesque configuration.[Olsztyn]

Astronomical Observatory

more The Moon, Sun, planets and planetoids, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and comets may be observed every day in Olsztyn Astronomical Observatory, while its terrace offers a superb city panorama. If the sky is clear, ‘sky shows’ take place, while cloudless evenings and nights uncover mysteries of the starry sky. With the use of a telescope you may observe immense richness of craters and mountains on the Moon,spot the difference between planets and stars, view four brightest Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings.[Olsztyn]

Planetarium in Olsztyn

more On 19 February 1973 – on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus – a ceremonial opening of Olsztyn Planetarium, designed by Ludomir Goslawski, took place. A colourful 205-tile composition on the east wall of atrium as well as the portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus decorating the hall were commissioned by a plastician Stefan Knapp from London. In the hall, there is also a wall painting by Zygmunt Dronski, depicting the Horse head Nebula, a dark nebula in the Orion constellation.[Olsztyn]

Thursdays with Copernicus

more ‘Summer Thursdays with Nicolas Copernicus’ – a face-to-face meeting with the castle’s most prominent resident. This is an educational and entertaining event addressed to both residents of Olsztyn and tourists (July and August). The main attraction of the Thursdays is Nicolas Copernicus, who tells visitors about his discoveries and presents the astronomical instruments he used. The actor who impersonates the astronomer will take you around the Museum but he will also show you some nooks and corners of the castle which are not normally open to the public.[Olsztyn]

Canoe trips on the Lyna River through Olsztyn

more Olsztyn is situated on three rivers – the Lyna, Wadag and a small Kortowka. The biggest of them all – the Lyna – rises near the village of the same name and flows through Olsztyn Lake District.  The river is beautifully meandering through Olsztyn, creating picturesque views you can admire near the Old Town. The rivers of Olsztyn, due to their unique character, attract canoeists and kayaks. From May to September they organise canoe trips “on the Lyna through Olsztyn”.[Olsztyn]

Old Town Hall

more Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Old Town Hall was built in the second half of the 14th century just after Olsztyn received municipal rights. It housed the offices of the town authorities until 1915. Initially the building consisted of one wing situated on the south-west side of the Market-place. In 1620 it was burnt like most of the town. Four years later it was rebuilt. The authorities of the town occupied the first floor of the building while the ground floor and the cellars were used for commercial purposes.[Olsztyn]

The High Gate-Upper Gate

more The Upper Gate, called the High Gate since the 19th century, was built in the 14th century. It is the only remaining gate of three which existed in the defensive walls surrounding the town. Large fragments of the walls near St. Jacob’s Church, at Asnyka and Okopowa Streets and near the castle have also been preserved from the mediaeval retrenchment. The gate is situated in the north-east part of the Old Town complex, on the axis of the outlet of the high road.[Olsztyn]

The Warmia Chapter Castle

more The Olsztyn castle was built in the Gothic style in the 14th century. At present it houses the Museum of Warmia and Mazury. In its primary function the castle was the seat of the administrator of the landed property of the Warmia Chapter. The most famous administrator, performing these duties in the years 1516–1521, was Nicholas Copernicus. The former refectory with a subtle crystal vault dating from about 1520 is the largest castle hall.
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St. Jacob’s Cathedral Basilica in Olsztyn

more St. Jacobs Church was built in the 2nd half of the 14th century. The partially wooden part of the church tower was replaced with a new one in 1596. It is maintained, as the whole church, in the Gothic style. It is 63 metres high. The side chapels of the church were reconstructed in 1721 by Piotr Olchowski of Reszel. In 1864 the shrine threatened to collapse and it had to be closed.[Olsztyn]

Olsztyn Philharmonic

more It has all started with the Music Society which later developed into the orchestra. In 1962 Olsztyn National Philharmonic Orchestra adopted the name of Feliks Nowowiejski, an outstanding composer of Warmian origin. It marked a significant development in the history of the orchestra as they occupied a remarkable position among institutions propagating national culture. After eleven years the orchestra was transformed into Feliks Nowowiejski National Philharmonic and since 2005 it has been operating under its present name.[Olsztyn]

Office of Artistic Exhibitions

more Situated in the city centre, at the seat of Olsztyn astronomical observatory, it is the largest and most prestigious Modern Art Gallery in Olsztyn. Initially it was situated in Olsztyn castle and only in 1973 moved to a new place. A true gem of its collection is the sculpture of Stefan Knapp, displayed on an atrium wall. The Gallery organises All-Polish thematic and mono-graphic exhibitions, promotional displays and artistic competitions.
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Museum of Natural History

more It is a venue of the Museum of Warmia and Mazuria in Olsztyn, located in a late 19th century secessionist palace. The Museum is a home to over 18 900 mostly zoological, botanical and geological items. Visitors have also access to a permanent exhibition “Animals of Warmia and Mazuria”.[Olsztyn]

Museum of Warmia and Mazuria

more The museum, opened in July 1921, has been located at the 14th century Gothic castle of the Warmian Chapter. In post-war times, since 1945,the Museum functioned as “Mazuria Museum” and in 1975 changed its name to “Museum of Warmia and Mazuria”. Initially, its collection compassed plebiscite-ethnographic regional items, nowadays it houses a fine collection containing exhibits of regional history, archeology,numismatics, art, fine artistic craft, writing and folk culture.
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