Olsztynek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olsztynek
Market Square and town hall
Flag Image:POL Olsztynek COA.svg Coat of arms
Olsztynek Location in Poland
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Warmian-Masurian
County	Olsztyn
Gmina	Olsztynek
Town rights	1359
Area
• Total	7.69 km2 (2.97 sq mi)
Population  (2017)
• Total	7,677
• Density	998.3/km2 (2,585.6/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	11-015
Vehicle registration	NOL
Highways
National roads
Website	http://www.olsztynek.pl

Olsztynek [ɔlʂˈtɨnɛk] is a charming town located in northern Poland. You can find it in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, which is a region known for its beautiful lakes and forests. It's the main town of the Gmina Olsztynek area and is part of the historic region called Masuria. The town has a rich history, especially linked to the Teutonic Knights and important battles.

Exploring Olsztynek's Location

Olsztynek is about 28 km (17 mi) south of a bigger city called Olsztyn. It sits in the western part of the Masurian Lake District, which is famous for its many lakes. The town is also near the Baltic Uplands, a hilly area.

Getting Around Olsztynek

Olsztynek is well-connected, making it easy to visit.

Roads and Highways

• The S7 expressway passes near Olsztynek. This major road connects cities like Gdańsk, Warsaw, and Kraków.
• Another important road, the S51 expressway, directly links Olsztynek to Olsztyn.
• The National road 58 also runs through the town, adding to its good transport links.

Train Travel

• Olsztynek has a train station. It's a stop on the railway line that goes from Olsztyn to Działdowo.

A Look at Olsztynek's Past

Olsztynek has a long and interesting history, dating back many centuries.

Early Beginnings of the Town

Olsztynek Castle

• Around 1351, the Teutonic Knights built a castle here. This was done to help settle the lands of the Old Prussians.
• The town received its official town rights in 1359 from Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode. This meant it could grow and govern itself.
• Olsztynek then became an important center for local administration within the State of the Teutonic Order.

Battles and Changes

• A very famous battle, the Battle of Grunwald, happened near Olsztynek in 1410. In this battle, Polish and Lithuanian forces defeated the Teutonic Knights.
• After this battle, Olsztynek was burned down to prevent it from falling into Polish hands. However, it was quickly rebuilt.
• The town faced high taxes from the Knights, which led it to join the Prussian Confederation in 1444. This group was against the Knights' rule.
• In 1454, the town wanted to be part of the Kingdom of Poland. But it returned to the Knights' control during the Thirteen Years' War (1454–66).
• After a peace treaty in 1466, Olsztynek became a fief of Poland, meaning it was still connected to Poland but ruled by the Knights.
• In 1525, the town became part of the Duchy of Prussia, which was also a Polish fief.
• During the Polish–Teutonic War (1519–21), Polish troops captured the town.

Later Centuries

Former Protestant church

• In 1656, during a war with Sweden, Swedish troops plundered Olsztynek.
• In 1701, Olsztynek became part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
• A big fire in 1804 destroyed many houses and the town hall.
• During the Napoleonic Wars in 1807, French soldiers, including famous generals, stayed in Olsztynek.
• After 1871, the town became part of the German Empire.
• Even though it was under German rule, many Polish people lived in Olsztynek in the late 1800s.

Olsztynek in the 20th Century

Gothic Revival Sacred Heart church

• In August 1914, at the start of World War I, a major battle called the Battle of Tannenberg took place near Olsztynek. German forces defeated Russian troops.
• The town was badly damaged during this battle, with many buildings destroyed.
• Olsztynek was rebuilt after the war, with help from the city of Leipzig.
• In 1920, people in the region voted to decide if they wanted to stay with Germany or join the newly independent Second Polish Republic. Most people voted to remain with Germany.
• A large Tannenberg Memorial was built near Olsztynek in 1927 to remember the 1914 battle.
• During World War II, parts of this memorial were used as a prisoner-of-war camp.
• In 1945, the Soviet army occupied Olsztynek. Later, it became part of Poland.
• Many German residents moved away, and Polish people, especially those from areas that became part of the Soviet Union, settled in Olsztynek.
• In 1960, a new memorial was built by Polish authorities to honor the 1410 Battle of Grunwald.

Sports and Recreation

• The local football (soccer) team in Olsztynek is called Olimpia Olsztynek [pl]. They play in the lower leagues.

Famous People from Olsztynek

Birthplace of Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongovius in Olsztynek, now a museum

• Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongovius (1764–1855): A Polish pastor, linguist, and writer who worked to preserve the Polish language. His birthplace is now a museum.
• Hieronim Derdowski (1852–1902): A Kashubian-Polish intellectual, poet, and activist.
• Paul Kahle (1875–1964): A German expert in Middle Eastern languages.
• Albert Lieven (1906–1971): A German actor.

Images for kids

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  Museum of Folk Architecture