Olsztyński

Pilgrimage history in Gietrzwałd

Gietrzwałd is the only place in Poland where the Catholic Church has officially recognized Marian apparitions. The Kapliczka Objawień marks the site of the apparitions, which took place from June 27 to September 16, 1877. Cudowne Źródełko is also one of the village’s religious sites: water flows into it through a stone well surround with marble reliefs.

The main indulgence celebration on September 8 includes a procession with the image of grace and a Mass on the Gietrzwałd-Błonia. Those interested in pilgrimage and religious history will find several specific points of interest here: the site of the apparitions, the Źródełko and the aforementioned elements of the indulgence celebration. The Olsztyński District, together with the Braniewski District, the Lidzbarski District and the City of Olsztyn, manages the Święta Warmia Route tourism project.

Walking routes and distances to suit

The routes vary in length and course. The 49.9 km Do źródeł Łyny walking route starts in Olsztyn, at Wysoka Brama, and runs via Obrońców Tobruku, Jaroty, Bartążek, Kielary, the Łyna, Ruś, the Lalka Peninsula, Kurki PKS, Brzeźno Łyńskie and Łyna to Dobrzyń. The sequence of places gives you a clear sense of the route; you can take the stated distance into account when deciding whether to choose this walking route.

The Way of St. James offers another long connection, with its 130 km Olsztyn–Lipowiec section. It runs via Łupstych, Gietrzwałd, Parwółki, Stare Jabłonki, Ostróda, Frednowy, Tynwałd, Szałkowo, Iława, Radomno and Nowe Miasto Lubawskie to Lipowiec, then continues to Toruń. The 40.8 km Napoleonic Route connects Barkweda with Dąbrówka and Konradowo via Gutkowo, Mątki, Jonkowo, Łomy, Pupki, Gołogóra and Skolity.

For a nature-focused outing, there is the 21.9 km “Jezioro Kośno” forest route. It runs from the bridge over the Kośna on the east shore of Lake Kośno, via Łajsy and the west shore of the lake, back to the bridge. Unlike the long-distance routes, it is described as a circular route. The 9.7 km Bałdy riding trail is also a circular route: it runs from Bałdy to Lake Gim and back.

Cycling, water and forest

By bike, the 40.7 km Gościniec Niborski runs from Olsztyn (Stary Dwór) via Bartąg, Lake Łańskie and Kurki to Napiwoda. On the water, a 14 km canoe route runs from Słupy via Lake Wadąg and the Wadąg River to the Łyna power station. The different routes offer practical ways to plan your trip around your preferred mode of travel: on foot, by bike, by canoe or on the riding trail.

The Las Warmiński nature reserve is located in the municipalities of Purda and Stawiguda. Established in 1982, it covers 1,798.2 ha and protects forest and aquatic communities characteristic of Warmia. The protected area is home to a diverse range of plants, animals and birds. If you want to take nature into account when choosing a destination, you can give special attention to these forest and aquatic habitats.

Museums and local history

Cultural history can also be explored at a range of places. The open-air museum in Olsztynek is one of the oldest museums in Poland and was moved there from Królewiec in 1940. The Multimedialne Muzeum Obozu Jenieckiego Stalag IB i Historii Olsztynka presents the history of Olsztynek as well as that of the First and Second World Wars; a particular focus is Stalag IB Hohenstein.

In Barczewo, the Powiatowe Atelier Kultury SYNAGOGA is now located in a former synagogue. Together with the historical themes in Olsztynek, it offers a different way to plan your trip than the routes and natural areas described above: here, the focus is on local history, museums and culture.

Places in Olsztyński District

For further information on places, you can find pages here for Rzeck, Włodowo, Naterki, Swaderki, Klebark Wielki, Klewki, Siła and Tumiany. Other place pages cover Dorotowo, Biesal, Myki, Giławy, Nowe Kawkowo, Wadąg, Pluski and Łajs.

Gietrzwałd is also relevant for planning your arrival: the municipality lies on National Road 16, the Droga Tysiąca Jezior Północy. There is also a railway line in the municipality, built between 1871 and 1873.

For an overview of the wider region: Warmia-Masuria.