Warmia - a historical land of medieval castles and churches. Check out the top attractions!

Warmia is a historical land located in northern Poland, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. It stretches from Frombork in the north, through Braniewo to Olsztyn in the south, including the towns of Lidzbark Warmiński, Reszel, Dobre Miasto, Orneta, Jeziorany, Barczewo and Biskupiec.

These are much less visited corners of this voivodeship. I would even say a little underappreciated. And yet extremely interesting, carrying beautiful and valuable architecture and rich history. And a story about a man - a famous astronomer - Nicolaus Copernicus.

Warmia abounds in brick Gothic castles, erected here in the Middle Ages, mainly due to the Teutonic Knights, who conquered and Christianized the lands inhabited by pagan Prussian tribes. But the region is not the only strongholds. Here you will find amazing temples, also built largely of red brick, impressive and reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

Experiences in Warmia

Warmia remained under foreign rule for a long time, so to this day it is distinguished by its peculiar architecture, folk costumes and traditions. Towns located within the boundaries of historic Warmia are characterized by a long history. They hide interesting monuments, especially castles and other medieval buildings. But it is also a place that offers other interesting tourist attractions and active leisure by the water, because there are many lakes here. Everyone associates Masuria with the blue surface of lakes, but Warmia also has something to boast about in this regard. Check out the best attractions of Warmia!

Castle in Lidzbark Warmiński

The Gothic castle in Lidzbark is definitely a pearl of the region. For centuries, it was the seat of the Warmia bishops, and today it is open to the public as a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury. The courtyard is available behind a separate ticket, and you also have to buy tickets for the interiors. The prices are not high, and the castle hides wonderful chambers, including a chapel or a large refectory, which made the biggest impression on us. The cloisters are also impressive. Lidzbark Castle is one of the main elements of the Gothic Castle Route.

Warmia Thermal Baths

Thermal baths in Lidzbark Warmiński are a modern, year-round recreational and leisure facility, using the health properties of thermal waters. The thermal baths offer a variety of attractions, which means that there is something for everyone. Here you will find a zone with attractions for children, a swimming pool, a zone with jacuzzi tubs and smaller pools. From one of them you can swim outside. There are also saunas and a hotel on site. The water in the pools is pleasantly warm, the air in the resort itself is quite cool in the off-season. The more pleasant it is to immerse yourself in the water.

Graduation towers in Lidzbark Warmiński

The Lidzbark graduation towers are a seasonal facility. In winter, you can enter their area, but the graduation towers themselves are disabled. In the tourist season, a walk around the graduation tower has a health dimension. Sprayed into the air aerosol from healing water promotes the treatment of diseases related to the circulatory system, respiratory system, metabolic diseases, as well as the rehabilitation of osteoarticular system injuries.

Parish church in Lidzbark Warmiński

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and St. Michael the Archangel is a fourteenth-century temple. Late Gothic, oriented, brick. The body is three-nave, hall-shaped, covered with stellar vaults. The interior design is mainly neo-Gothic, but valuable elements from the Gothic and Baroque periods have been preserved here.

High Gate in Lidzbark Warmiński

The High Gate is one of many preserved elements of medieval city fortifications. In the past, 3 gates led to Lidzbark, and today Wysoka is the only preserved gate, albeit incomplete. It dates back to the end of the 14th century and is a Gothic building with 4 floors. Unfortunately, the interiors are not accessible to tourists.

Orangery in Lidzbark Warmiński

The orangery towers over the city and high stairs. It houses the Municipal Pedagogical Library and a gallery. Concerts and educational activities are also held here. It is worth entering here, because under the Orangery there is the most beautiful panorama of Lidzbark.

Frombork Cathedral

Above all, the impressive cathedral attracts attention on the Cathedral Hill. It is the only well-preserved medieval cathedral stronghold in the world and the largest church in Warmia! It is from its patroness - the Blessed Virgin Mary, that the name Frauenburg (Castle of the Lady) comes - polished as Frombork. The interiors are available for a fee.

Nicolaus Copernicus Museum in Frombork

In this museum you will learn interesting information about Nicolaus Copernicus. About his activities in various fields of science. You will also see numerous images of him - painted or carved. It is worth visiting this place.

Radziejowski Tower in Frombork

Once it was both a bell tower and a lighthouse. Today, you can admire the stars and the sea, because there is a viewpoint on the tower and a Planetarium on the ground floor. Against the stark backdrop of the bell tower, art and the Foucault pendulum suspended here look beautiful. The tower is available for a fee.

Olsztyn Castle

The gothic castle of the chapter house is the most valuable monument of the city. It houses the Museum of Warmia and Mazury, which, apart from the art gallery, shows valuable souvenirs of the past of Olsztyn and its most famous inhabitant - Nicolaus Copernicus. The most famous exhibit in the castle is the astronomical plaque of Nicolaus Copernicus used to present the apparent movement of the sun on days close to the spring and autumn equinoxes. The astronomer made it during his stay at the castle, in the first half of the 16th century. The plaque has dimensions of 705x140 cm and was plotted above the entrance to the chamber in which he lived.

Olsztyn Cathedral

A beautiful Gothic temple with unique vaults - mesh in the main aisle and crystal in the aisles. Construction of the church of St. James began in 1315 and continued in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Here you will find valuable organs where famous concerts take place. The building is extremely impressive, with a tall, square tower.

High Gate in Olsztyn

The High Gate is actually the Gothic Tower of the Upper Gate. It dates back to the 14th century and is the gateway to the Old Town, and at the same time a showcase of the city. You can even spend the night in its interiors if you like such historic, dark atmospheres.

Lake Ukiel (Krzywe) in Olsztyn

Ukiel is one of several lakes spilling over in Olsztyn. Lake Ukiel, also called Krzywy, is the most popular and best developed. The shores offer not only hotels, but also holiday and sailing resorts. You will also find beaches.

Lake Vulpinskie

A beautiful lake located just south of Olsztyn. There are 8 islands scattered on it. There are bridges leading to several of them, so they are accessible to tourists. It is a very picturesque corner of Warmia.

Orneta Church

St. John's Church in Orneta is one of the oldest temples in Warmia. It was built in the fourteenth century, 10 chapels were added in the fifteenth century, and its shape has not changed since the sixteenth century. It has a typical basilica shape, i.e. the main aisle is much higher than the side aisles. Thanks to this, it hides a very high, three-storey altar. Very nice, but I also recommend paying attention to unique gothic paintings. Some remember the 14th century.

We also found beautiful, valuable temples in Chwalęcin and Krosno, although you have to aim at the hours of worship to be able to admire their interior.

St. Anne's parish church in Barczewo

The Church of St. Anne and St. Stephen is a Gothic temple from the 14th century, rebuilt several times later. She suffered greatly during the war. It is oriented, made of brick. On the west side, it is decorated with a tall, square tower with 7 floors.

Castle of the Warmia bishops in Reszel

A gothic, beautiful castle rises in the south-eastern part of the city, on the banks of the Sajna River. It was built in the fourteenth century, and in the nineteenth century it was adapted into a prison. It was not until after the war that it was restored. Currently, it houses a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, as well as a hotel and restaurant.

Sanctuary in Gietrzwałd

A sanctuary associated with the apparitions of Mary that took place here in 1877, from 27 June to 16 September. Mary appeared to two teenage girls - Basia and Justyna. She spoke to them in Polish, which caused a stir, because at that time it was a forbidden language in these Prussian areas. Today, these apparitions are recognized by the Catholic Church, and the sanctuary is visited by a large number of pilgrims every year. The beatification process of one of these girls - Barbara Samulowska - is also underway.

Andreykov Deskale in Gietrzwałd

3 works of the Silent Memorial by Arkadiusz Andrejkow from Sanok appeared in Gietrzwałd in May 2022. On the occasion of the 670th anniversary of the placement of the village of Gietrzwałd, known from the Marian apparitions. Each work was painted in one day, and the photos from the family albums of Gietrzwałd families became the inspiration for their creation. One shows the owner of the barn with a friend, the second is the brother of a village resident with his grandchildren driving in a car, and the third shows a friend from the school bench of the barn owner. An interesting fact is that he is standing with a bicycle, reportedly the first children's bicycle in the whole village.

I was interested in Silent Memorial before, now I have become a fan of it. It is an amazing idea to revive old wooden buildings, already full of charm, and additionally with a beautiful and touching message.

Experience map

I paste a map with the marked places that I mentioned in the article. I hope it will come in handy while exploring this beautiful region.

Where to eat in Warmia?

The Cudne Manowce restaurant in Olsztyn is definitely worth recommending. Traditional dishes of Warmia and Masuria are served here, based on regional suppliers and often organic producers.The place is unbelievable, though, the fame is wide and you often have to wait for a table. However, it is worth it, because both the flavors, the way of serving and the decor of the restaurant are delightful. It cannot be otherwise, the restaurant belongs to the Culinary Heritage Network of Warmia Mazury and Powiśle and was distinguished in the Yellow Gault&Millau Guide. In addition, in 2021 it won the Polish Culinary Treasures plebiscite in the Warmia and Mazury region.

For coffee, be sure to visit the My Café in Olsztyn. Here awaits the iconic Marzipan Krówiecki, formerly made in these areas, and in 2020 entered on the List of Traditional Products. It is also worth tasting the local beer from the Kormoran and Warmia Brewery.

If you are a fan of good, regional food, you will definitely like Karczma Warmińska in Gietrzwałd. It's a mini open-air museum with delicious food. You will taste my favorite potatoes here in a lot of ways, but relax, they also give meat. In an interesting page you will read about the history of the town, as a cheque you will get a bread and lard, and in addition, your eyes run around the atmospheric decor of the inn. Also, before you know it, you will taste delicious, local dishes. In Lidzbark, you can eat well and exquisitely in the restaurant of the Krasicki Hotel, in the beautiful, atmospheric interiors of the Gothic cellars.

Regional dishes

Podpłomyki is a bit like a local pizza, dzyndzałki are peculiar dumplings with different fillings, but in my opinion much better, because they remind me of Georgian chinkali quite strongly. And would you have thought that the soup grows to the best dish? The Warmian-Masurian food is memorable for a long time. This test soup is so dense and nutritious that it is actually more of a one-pot dish than a soup. Perfect for cold, aromatic, rich, with meat, beans and cabbage. The feeder made such an impression on us that it has already appeared on our table at home.

Accommodation in Warmia

The four-star Przystań Hotel&Spain Olsztyn, by Lake Ukiel, is located in Bajkowo. By a complete accident, as part of our cooperation, we got an apartment here, which impressed us. The room itself was exquisite, but it also offered a wonderful terrace overlooking the lake. Sunsets from here are real magic. In addition, the hotel offers a swimming pool with a hot tub, saunas and wellness, a gym, as well as a glazed restaurant with a lake panorama. There is a private beach in front of the hotel. During a hearty breakfast, the chef makes you scrambled eggs in front of your eyes, using the products of your choice!

While visiting Warmia, we also slept in the very pleasant Hotel Krasickiin Lidzbark Warmiński, which is located in the historic wings of the outer ward. We had a room in the Gothic wing, and from the window we could admire the proper castle. The hotel also has an observation tower overlooking the castle and the city. In addition, there is an elegant restaurant and a swimming pool with a sauna and a hot tub. Guests can also work out in the gym or enjoy spa and wellness treatments.

The Copernicus Trail

The Copernicus Trail is an extremely interesting thematic road route, running through Warmia, Masuria and Elbląg. It is about 300 km long and is marked with an astrolabe symbol in the field. It leads through towns and objects related to the life of the famous scholar - Nicolaus Copernicus, who spent most of his life in Warmia. In some of them he lived, in others he worked, in others he just visited.

History of Warmia

Until the 13th century, Warmia was inhabited by the Prussian Warmia tribe, hence the name of the land. Its territory stretched along the coast of the Vistula Lagoon over a length of about 50 km from the Elbląg Upland. From 1243, Warmia, conquered by the Teutonic Knights, became part of the Teutonic state. This situation took place until 1466, when, as a result of the Second Peace of Toruń, Warmia found itself within the borders of the Polish Crown as the Duchy of Warmia, while maintaining a certain autonomy. This state of affairs lasted until 1772, when secularization took place.

After the First Partition of Poland, Warmia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Prussia and divided into 2 poviats - Braniewo and Lidzbark. Due to its religious distinctiveness, until 1945 this region differed from the rest of Prussia, but it did not have administrative distinctiveness.

In 1905, the Polish-speaking part of Warmia, i.e. the southern districts of Olsztyn and Reszel, along with Masuria, were included in the Olsztyn region, while the remaining territory remained in the Königsberg region. This division was preserved until 1945, when all Warmia was incorporated into the Polish state.

At that time, most of the inhabitants of the region, both Germans and Warmians, left the area. On the other hand, the immigrant population arrived, mainly the inhabitants of the former borderlands and Mazovia.

Capital of Warmia

Warmia was the dominion of the Warmia bishopric, therefore the formal capital of Warmia was the seat of the cathedral and chapter, i.e. Frombork. Initially, in 1243, the first bishop of Warmia, Anselm of Meissen, settled in Braniewo and the cathedral and cathedral chapter were located there. However, the city was quickly destroyed and in 1278 the capital was moved to Frombork.

From the Middle Ages, Frombork was called Civitas Warmiensis, or the Warmian town. Until the very end of the Warmia Dominion, the seat of the Warmia Chapter and the so-called bishop's throne were located in Frombork. To this day, the Warmia cathedral delights here, and the one in Olsztyn (the current seat of the region) is actually a pro-cathedral.

According to church law, the bishop of Warmia was elected by the Frombork chapter and his ingress, i.e. taking power, took place in Frombork. While formally Frombork was the seat of the "Warmia church" after the division into episcopal and capitular lands, the Warmia bishop resided in his possessions. In 1340, the bishops moved to Orneta, and from 1350 they resided in Lidzbark Warmiński. Over time, the power of the bishops increasingly took on the character of absolute power and Lidzbark Warminski actually fulfilled the role of the capital of the Principality, but formally Frombork remained the capital of Warmia.

Today, the capital of Warmia and the entire voivodeship is Olsztyn.

Warms curiosities

• the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was associated with Warmia throughout his adult life. He served as canon of the Warmia Chapter in the years 1497-1543
• Ignacy Krasicki became famous in Lidzbark Warmiński. He was the bishop of Warmia in 1767-95, the last head of the Duchy of Warmia
• in 1877, the Polish composer Feliks Nowowiejski was born in Wartembork in Warmia. Known today mainly for being the author of music for Rota
• in 1905, the largest cities of Warmia were Olsztyn and Braniewo. Only they had more than 10,000 inhabitants
• On July 11, 1920, a plebiscite was held in the southern districts of Warmia, in which the inhabitants voted for nationality. Prussia definitely won, only 4 villages voted for Poland

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What's worth seeing in the area?

If you are looking for more ideas for interesting places to visit, we have it for you some options in the area. There are several attractions within a radius of 100 kilometers, that are worth adding to your travel plan.

• Olsztyn, distance: 0  km
• Western Masuria, distance: 34.9  km
• Ostróda, distance: 34.9  km
• Iława, distance: 63.4  km
• Mikołajki, distance: 72.2  km
• Masuria, distance: 76.5  km
• Elbląg, distance: 82.3  km
• Frombork, distance: 82.8  km
• Malbork, distance: 99.1  km
• Malbork Castle, distance: 99.2  km