HISTORY
Set on the high banks of the Nida River, Nidzica is a town of notable architectural and historic importance. Owing to its location, Nidzica is sometimes called the gate to Mazury. The town lies at the intersection of an important tourist route from Warsaw to Olsztyn, leading eastwards to the Great Masurian Lakes, and on the E7 road to Gdansk. Today Nidzica has a population of 15 thousand people. Nidzica was founded on the territory of the Prussian tribe of Sasins, which in the 14th century was colonised by Polish settlers from nearby Masovia and Kurpie. In 1381 the Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode granted the settlement charter rights. The Gothic castle raised in the same century has luckily survived until today and is, as it has been for centuries, a characteristic landmark of the town. Other monuments of the past include the remains of the town walls with the eastern tower as well as the so-called small convent and the church of St Adalbert. For over six hundred years, Nidzica has witnessed many historic events. Shortly before the battle of Grunwald (also referred to as the battle of Tannenburg) in 1410, the town was occupied by Polish and Lithuanian troops. In 1628 if fell victim to a Swedish invasion and in 1656 it was besieged, this time unsuccessfully, by the Tartars. During the Napoleonic campaign of 1806-1807, the town was forced to open its gates to French and Polish soldiers and some years later, in 1813, it fell into the hands of the Cossacks. The environs of Nidzica are famous for picturesque trails, leading among hills, fields, forests and lakes. The woods, rich in mushrooms and blue berries, give shelter to many wild animals. Owing to its historic heritage and rich nature, the region is a highly attractive tourist destination. In the town, the prime landmark is the post-Teutonic castle raised in the 14th century. It is a brick and stone rectangular building with a central courtyard. To the east of the main building, there is an outer ward enclosed by an access gatehouse and two buildings adjacent to the castle. The castle has four wings, of which the dominant one is the west three-storey wing with cellars. On the north and south side of the courtyard there are two-storey wings crowned by galleries with loop-holes. The east wing is flanked by two massive rectangular towers rising to the height of 23 meters. The inner ward can be entered by the gateway in the east wing. The first floor, containing richly frescoed castle's chapel and refectory (c. 1400), used to the most refined part of the castle. In the course of centuries the castle has changed its function from a military stronghold to a representative residence. Nowadays, it houses a public library, the Museum of the Nidzica region, a gallery of Henryk Skurpski's paintings, a hotel, a restaurant, a travel agency and the office of the Nidzica Community Centre, which administers the castle. "Mediaeval feasts" held in the castle restaurant are a special tourist attraction. At such feasts, guests wear monk cloak and can eat delicacies with their hands.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
The Tourist Information Office,
1 Wolności Ave. tel. 089 625 54 68, e-mail: nidzica-it@o2.pl

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The Nidzica Community Centre, castle, tel. 89 625 31 44, 625 42 21,
e-mail: nidzickiosrodekkultury@poczta.fm

The museum - open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Exhibitions - a permanent regional exposition From the Historic Times of the Nidzica Region; temporary exhibitions of paintings (changed monthly); the Hall of Knights, top-floor rooms with views of the town and environs; a gallery of paintings by Hieronim Skurpski.
EVENTS - all year: medieval feasts, guests wear monk cloaks and eat with hands; in the summer season: Nidzica's Festival; the Polish Festival of Science-Fiction and Fantasy, Neptune's Festival.

ACCOMODATION
The "Gregorovius" Hotel, 2 Zamkowa St. tel. 089 625 51 93 (castle), www.hotelgregorovius.pl
The "Kamiński" Hotel, 4 Wolności Ave. tel. 089 625 60 50
The "Europa" Inn, Litwinki (way E-7), tel. 089 625 66 06
The "Skarbek" Inn, Litwinki, tel. 089 625 66 06
The "Leśny" Inn, Waszczuki near Nidzica (way: Nidzica-Szczytno) tel. 089 625 47 44
The "Gawra" Guest - House, Wikno, tel. 089 625 94 49

RESTAURANTS
"W Zamku" - castle, tel. 089 625 38 77
"Kamiński", 4 Wolności Ave. tel. 089 625 60 50
"Europa", Litwinki (way E-7) tel. 089 625 66 06
"Sandra", 2 Kościuszki St. tel. 089 625 26 54
"Bar Ratuszowy", 1 XXX-lecia St. tel. 089 625 47 66
"Karczma pod gołębiem", 10 Sienkiewicza St. tel. 089 530 53 73

The Town Office
1 Wolności Ave., phone: 089 625 25 04
www.nidzica.pl