Warmia & Masuria Region Travel Guide

Although small, the redbrick fary-tale castle in Olszyn's centre takes on forbidding overtones as you approach the walls. I wouldn't want to attack the place that's for sure. The walls are high and the over-hanging battlements are an imposing sight indeed.

The castle was home to Nicolas Copernicus, the astronomer who discovered that the earth revolves around the sun, in the 16th Century and he actually commanded the Polish garrison tere during two siege attempts by the German Teutonic Knights. Some of his original astronomical measurements can still be seen on a wall inside the main keep as can his private toilet.

The keep itself houses a museum and art gallery featuring portrates of various noble personages from the past, antique furniture and, upstairs, various temprary exhibitions and displays.

There is a cafe, souveneer shop and in high season the tower is also open to visitors.

Only five minutes walk from the market square, the castle is Olsztyn's premier landmark and a must see for anyone passing through.

Lake Dlugie (jezioro dlugie) is located in the norther Polish city of Olsztyn. Just 15 minutes walk from the city centre and old market square it is romantically set amid pine forests. A fine place for a walk at any time of day, the lake is at its best in the early evening in spring and summer when the mist roles in eddies over the surface, transforming it from a picturesque to almost mystical place.

The lake plays home to a range or water fowl and other wild life. Notice boards at intevals along the bank provide information on the species that may be found.

A foot bridge links both banks and provides a convenient short cut or you can take the longer, scenic route around the lake's eastern end. Either way Lake Dlugie is a beautiful place seldom frequented by the tourist crowds that flock to the city centre in summer.

1. Never do shopping in the harbour, even if it seems so difficult to find any shops outside - ask for Biedronka, it is way cheaper;
2. Check out second-hand shops, really lots of them, really nice and cheap;
3. Showers on the very right side of the harbour (Sanitariat) are not that bad and cheaper than those in central harbour;
4. Check out Hammurabi, really good restaurant;