Soldau: City History, Museums and Cycling Routes

Old Town, Market Square and City History

The old town retains its original medieval street layout. At its centre is a square market square, with the town hall in the middle, dating from 1796. The square and town hall provide a clear landmark in the historic town centre. The Teutonic Order Castle is also part of the town’s history: it is included in the “Szlak Zamków Gotyckich” (Gothic Castles Trail).

Another historic site is the former barracks building in Działdowo. It is considered historically significant and a testament to the martyrdom of the Polish nation. Those interested in religious remembrance can also visit the Sanctuary of the Blessed Martyrs of Działdowo. It is located in the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria and commemorates Archbishop Antoni Julian Nowowiejski and Bishop Leon Wetmański, who were martyrs at the camp in Działdowo.

Museums and Cultural Insights

The Interactive Museum of the Teutonic Order State opened on 13 August 2013 in Działdowo Town Hall. The interactive exhibition spans two levels; the first consists of five rooms arranged chronologically. The Muzeum Pogranicza is a municipal cultural institution housed in the rebuilt Dom Duży, which has been adapted for cultural purposes. Its permanent exhibition, titled “Działdowo – miasto i ludzie dawnego pogranicza” (Działdowo – the town and people of the former borderland), explores the history of Działdowszczyzna from antiquity to the mid-20th century. Its chronological layout provides an overview through time, while the title focuses on the town and the people of the former borderland.

The Działdowski Jarmark, a fair featuring antiques, crafts and healthy food, is also part of the town’s cultural life. This recurring event brings together culture, crafts and local creativity.

Cycling and Nature in the Travel Area

There are four marked cycling routes around Działdowo, each identified by a different colour. The routes are connected. About halfway along them are rest areas with shelters, sports fields and stone barbecue grills. One cycling loop passes through the protected ecological areas of Ptasie Bagno and Torfianki Działdowskie, where wet meadows and peat workings characterise the wetlands. When choosing where to stay, you can weigh up a focus on city history against a trip centred on cycling and nature experiences.

A 2.421-kilometre shared pedestrian and cycling path has been built along the county road between Działdowo and Księży Dwór. In the wider travel area, Welski Landscape Park and Górznieńsko-Lidzbarski Landscape Park are also part of the western part of Działdowski County. The Ostrów Tarczyński Nature Reserve lies partly or entirely within the county.

Rivers also help orient visitors in the county: the Wel flows through it and is a left-bank tributary of the Drwęca; the Wkra also flows through the county and is a tributary of the Narew. The Piekiełko section of the Wel passes through a deep gorge. Due to the strong current and fallen trees, it is recommended for experienced kayakers. These conditions are an important consideration when deciding whether to take a kayaking trip.

Getting There and More Destination Pages

Działdowo lies on the Warsaw–Gdańsk main railway line, with connections to Olsztyn. As a road hub, the town connects voivodeship roads 544, 545 and 542: Route 544 runs between Mława and Lidzbark, Route 545 leads to Nidzica, and Route 542 to Ostróda. You can factor both rail and road connections into your travel plans.

To explore the destination through more local pages, see Nowa Wies, Murawki, Naguszewo, Kopaniarze, Działdowo, Grądy, Lidzbark, Uzdowo and Rybno.

For the broader travel overview: Warmia-Masuria.