HISTORY
Olsztyn prides itself on its castle of the Warmian Chapter. Works on the original wing of the castle began in 1348. Later, the building was raised by one more storey and extended with the construction of the south wing and the upper cylindrical part of the corner tower. For nearly five years, between 1516 and 1521, Nicolas Copernicus was in charge of the castle in Olsztyn. At present the castle, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture in itself, is home to the Museum of Warmia and Mazury, which has long been collecting precious memorabilia of the bygone years of the region. Permanent and temporary exhibitions display a great diversity of collections, but the most valuable and unique exhibit of all is the astronomical chart, found on the wall of the gallery, made by the hand of Nicolas Copernicus. Come to the castle to see the spectacle of knights in combat in the courtyard, or participate in the events known as "Sunday at the Castle", when less conventional visiting tours are organised. What about tryin g on a knight's armour or listening to a concert? Such regular events as the annual National Contest "Let's Sing Poems" held at the Olsztyn Castle or monthly concerts of chamber music performed by "Pro Musica Antiqua" (a group of musicians under the auspices of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury) have already gained wide recognition. Olsztyn is the capital of Warmia and Mazury - the region famous for its interesting history as much as for the breathtaking beauty of the landscapes and Poland's largest number of lakes. Not surprisingly the region of Warmia and Mazury is known as the land of a Thousand Lakes and the 'green lungs of Poland'. The investors coming to this part of Poland are interested in tourism and eco-friendly economy. Vast areas of open land and the small population density create opportunities for further development of the region. Rapid currents of the Łyna River, which flows through the town, have carved picturesque gorges, which can be admired while strolling in the Castle Park. For more daring souls, a trip on a canoe may seem a better way to appreciate the beauty of the river. The Łyna River can take you north as far as the Russian border. After crossing the border, you can continue down the Pregoła River to Kaliningrad. Olsztyn is enveloped in municipal woods, which cover over 1000 ha. In the town there are eleven lakes, full of fish and crawfish, which attract countless anglers. The lakes are a paradise for water sport lovers, especially for those who love sailing and canoeing. In the winter, ice-boating is equally popular. There are six bathing beaches on the Olsztyn lakes. And the biggest one, Lake Ukiel, can be cruised on a small cruising ship all summer. Olsztyn belongs to the Federation of Copernicus Towns, which has its main office in the Planetarium and the Astronomical Observatory in Olsztyn. The main objectives of the Federation are to teach and popularise astronomy. It organises astronomical presentations, observations of the Sun, shows of the starry sky, the moon and the planets. The High Gate, which gives access to the Old Town of Olsztyn, is also a starting point of the Nicolas Copernicus Red Trail. The trail goes to Frombork (where Copernicus lived and died) via Dobre Miasto, Lidzbark Warminski, Pieniezno and Braniewo. Olsztyn has over 40 travel agencies, which offer a great variety of holidays. In the town there are also 49 restaurants, 28 snack bars and 18 cafes to quench your hunger. You can choose from French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Yugoslav, Arabic and Polish dishes. Guesthouses, hotels, pensions, forest lodges and camping sites provide accommodation of every standard and at every price.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
The Voivodship Centre of Tourist Information, 1 Staromiejska St. tel. 089 535 35 66,
e-mail: wcit@warmia.mazury.pl, www.warmia-mazury-rot.pl

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The Museum of Warmia and Mazury, 2 Zamkowa St. tel. 089 527 95 96, www.muzeum.olsztyn.pl

The museum - open daily except Mondays from 9.00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and outside the season from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Exhibitions - permanent exhibitions dedicated to Nicolas Copernicus and the history of Olsztyn: Nicolas Copernicus - Resident of the Olsztyn Castle, From the Castle's Vault - Old Arts and Handicrafts, Folk Art in Warmia and Mazury; temporary exhibitions - cycles of expositions: The Gallery of A Painting, Biographies (displayed in Kromer's Chamber), Cavata at the Olsztyn Castle.
- The House of the Gazeta Olsztyńska (the Olsztyn Newspaper) - permanent and temporary exhibitions; open daily except Mondays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
- Gallery of Modern Art - exhibitions of paintings, graphic art and temporary expositions, open daily except Mondays from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
- The Olsztyn Planetarium and Astronomic Observatory - shows on request from Tuesday to Saturday
- Horse riding lessons and rides in horse-drawn carriages, with a meal in a country cottage (Janusz Kojrys's Stabbles)
- Canoeing trips on the Łyna river - five km; on Saturdays and Sundays.
EVENTS - in the summer season: a series of events known as the Olsztyn Artistic Summer, 'Sunday at the Castle', the festival 'Let's Sing Poems', 'Olsztyn Blues Nights', 'Cavata at the Olsztyn Castle' with concerts of classical music by 'Pro Musica Antiqua'.

CULTURE
The Town Community Centre, 2 Rodziewiczówny St. tel. 089 527 09 64
The Modern Art Gallery BWA, 38 J. Piłsudskiego Ave. tel. 089 527 94 66
The Planetarium and The Astronomical Observatory, 38 J. Piłsudskiego Ave. tel. 089 533 49 51

HOTELS
The Hotel "Warmiński" Hotel, 1 Kołobrzeska St. tel. 089 522 14 00, e-mail: hotel@hotel-warminski.com.pl
The "Gromada-Kormoran" Hotel, 4 Konstytucji 3 Maja Ave. tel. 089 534 58 64, e-mail: olsztynhotel@gromada.pl
The "NOVOTEL-ORBIS" Hotel, 4a Sielska St. tel. 089 522 05 00, e-mail: rez.nov.olsztyn@orbis.pl
The Polish-German Youth Centre, 25 Okopowa St. tel. 089 534 07 80, e-mail: centrum@pncm.olsztyn.pl
The "Villa Pallas" Hotel, 4 Żołnierska St. tel. 089 535 01 15, e-mail: hotel@villapalla.pl
The "PARK HOTEL", 119 Warszawska St. tel. 089 524 06 04, e-mail: hpolsztyn@beph.pl
The "POD ZAMKIEM" Hotel, 10 Nowowiejskiego St. tel. 089 535 12 87, e-mail: hotel@olsztyn.com.pl
The "KOPERNIK" Hotel, 37 Warszawska St. tel. 089 522 99 29, e-mail: hotel@kopernik.olsztyn.pl
The "Wysoka Brama" Hotel, 1 Staromiejska St. tel. 089 527 36 75, e-mail: poczta@hotelwysokabrama.olsztyn.pl
The "Jantar" Hotel, 5 Kętrzyńskiego St. tel. 089 533 54 52, e-mail: jantar.hotel@wp.pl
The "RELAX" Hotel, 13a Żołnierska St. tel. 089 527 73 36, e-mail: hotel.relaks@osir.olsztyn.pl, www.osir.olsztyn.pl
The "TAWERNA PIRAT" Guest House, 95 Bałtycka St. tel. 089 523 90 85, e-mail: pirat@pirat.com.pl
The "U Sąsiada" Guest House, 6 Dębowa St. tel. 089 527 68 91, e-mail: migdal5@wp.pl
The "Krys-Tad" Guest House, Żurawia St., Gutkowo 9, tel. 089 523 85 21, www.kryst-tad.wm.pl
The School Youth Hostel, 72/74 Kościuszki St. tel. 089 527 66 50, e-mail: ssmolsztyn@ptsm.com.pl

RESTAURANTS
"Karczma Jana", 11 Kołłątaja St. tel. 089 522 29 46
"Centrum" (the Polish-German Youth Centre), 25 Okopowa St. tel. 089 534 07 80
"Kolorowa", 74 Wojska Polskiego St. tel. 089 526 49 22
"Kotara", 4 1-Maja St. tel. 089 527 59 50
"Nowoczesna", 1 Kołobrzeska St. tel. 089 522 15 60
"Przystań", 3 Żeglarska St. tel. 089 535 01 81
"Corner Caffé", 8/9 Dąbrowszczaków St. tel. 089 527 57 26
"Różana Cafe", 14 Targ Rybny St. tel. 089 523 50 39
"SPHINX", 15 Staromiejska St. tel. 089 522 96 36
"Staromiejska", 4/5 Stare Miasto St. tel. 089 527 58 83
"Yu Grill Boro", 11 Nowowiejskiego St. tel. 089 523 53 01
"Zakątki Europy", 13a Żołnierska St. tel. 089 527 42 78

The Town Office
1 Jana Pawła II Ave.
phone: 089 527 46 23, 527 31 11
www.olsztyn.eu