Ketrzyn tours

Ketrzyn located in the Warmia-Mazury province in one of the most amazing places in northeastern Poland with 28,351 inhabitants, received city rights on November 11, 1357. Its modern name was given to the city only in 1946 in honour of the Polish historian Wojciech Kętrzynski. Before the Second World War, Ketrzyn had other names, the German name Rustenberg. Nowadays Ketrzyn rose from the Teutonic Order defensive fortress complex. Wooden outpost later was replaced by a stone castle. Gradually the settlement was surrounded by 13 defensive towers, two gates were built. The construction of the castle contributed to the rapid economic development of Ketrzyn.

Ketrzyn and the surrounding territories played an important role during the military operations of the First and Second World Wars. The bombing of 1942 and the battles of 1945 led to the serious destruction of the city. The castle and the Old Town were burned by soldiers of the Red Army. The total number of destructions reached 40%. In 1946, the city was included in the newly formed province of Olsztyn. The German-speaking population of the city was deported to Germany. The name of the city was changed on May 7, 1946. The city is about an hour or an hour and a half drive from the border with the Kaliningrad region (the city of Bagrationovsk).

Visiting Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” which located in the Warmia-Mazury province near Ketrzyn is a must do thing  if you are interested in history and Second World War  especially .Within walls of this unusual but gloomy place, the Führer spent 830 days during military operations with the USSR, from June 24, 1941, to November 20, 1944, and it was from here that Hitler directed his troops. At the present time, Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” is a museum that is open to visitors all year round. On the territory of the memorial complex, there is a monument dedicated to participants of the events on July 20, 1944. It was a well-known attempt to assassinate Hitler, the executor was Col. Klaus Schenck von Stauffenberg. Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” is the Fuhrer’s largest headquarters, which is  of a size of a real military city. More than 80 bunkers and other fortified buildings were in a dense forest. The scaffold was surrounded by several barbed wire rings, observation towers, minefields, anti-aircraft and machine gun positions. After the end of the Patriotic War, in this area, for more than 10 years, mine clearance was conducted, during which approximately 54,000 mines and more than 200,000 various munitions were found

Visiting building of the Masonic lodge, which located on Adam Mickiewicz Street in Ketrzyn. Quiet amazing and cool place to see.  It was built from 1860 to 1864, in the Neo-Gothic style. Masons appeared in Ketrzyn in 1818. With the coming to power of the Nazis in 1942, the activities of the Masons were banned, and all their assets, including the lodge building, were transferred to the city. At the end of the Second World War, the building of the Masonic Lodge was the home of culture and cinema. The building was restored in 1999, and now there are offices of a travel company and the Society of Polish-German Friendship.

Visiting old synagogue, located on the street of Congress in Ketrzyn, famous and one of the most visited places in Ketrzyn.  It was built in 1853 and is located close to the houses of the XIX-XX century. The synagogue was sold in 1914 to the Jewish community of the Baptist community, and a new synagogue was built in 1916 on the former Wilhelm Street. The building of the old synagogue is built in neoclassical style, the facade is painted white, and the decorating elements – in brown. As an ornament of a building decorative columns are used, windows have an arched form, a roof is covered with a tile, and an entrance door – a wooden bicuspid. Currently, the building houses a charitable foundation and a church of evangelical Christians.

Visit Bishop’s Castle Reshelle is one of the attractions of the Polish town of the same name, which belongs to the Warmian-Mazury province. The bishop’s castle is an imposing structure made of red brick, with an arched tower and a high round tower, and its main entrance is provided with powerful gates. The castle complex also includes two wings built in the 16th century.

The Museum of Wojciech Kętrzynski is located on Zamkovaya Square in the old town of the city of Kętrzyn. The museum was opened in 1946, and in this building, it has been operating since 1967. The building of the museum is a knight’s castle of red brick in the Gothic style, and in which the restoration was carried out. The museum presents its guests with expositions related to the history of the city, objects preserved after the destruction and burning of churches and temples. Currently, the following exhibitions are constantly working: Wojciech Kętrzynski 1838-1918, Palaces and estates of Kentshinsky district and Forgotten face of the city – Ketrzyn – Rastenburg. The expositions of these exhibitions include photographs, archival documents and household items.

Take a part in the annual fair of folk crafts in the Museum of Wojciech Kętrzynski .It is an amazing event when you can see products of folk craft and hear old national music.

Despite the severe destruction, Ketrzyn has preserved many monuments of architecture. In the Gothic Teutonic castle there is a museum and a city library, various cultural events and music concerts are held. Among the religious monuments of architecture, the most valuable is, perhaps, the Gothic basilica of St. Jerzy and the church of St. John, located in the outskirts of the city, both  beautiful  historical places, worth seeing.

St. John church is one of the most famous and most visited places in Ketrzyn , is large enough in size, and the top floor of its tower rises above the whole city. In the church, you can climb to the top of its tower, see the church hall and a small cell. In some windows, the towers you can find bird nests with eggs. The view of the city is simply excellent.

Another and perhaps the most ancient landmark of the city and one of the most recommended places to visit is the ancient castle of the Teutonic Knights. Currently, there is a museum and a souvenir shop in the castle. The castle is not large, the first buildings of the castle were erected in the XII century. At the end of World War II, the walls of the castle were destroyed by the Red Army but later restored. The castle is located near the church of St. John. At the entrance to the castle, there is a monument to the dead and tortured in the camps on the territory of the city during the Second World War, in the form of a block with the image of an eagle or a falcon. Near the castle, there is a cafe where you can have a snack.

The church of St. Catherine  with a spire towering in the sky.St. Catherine church is most interesting historical places of Ketrzyn. Near the church, you will find the city’s fountain, with the index of directions to various cities in Europe.

Ketrzyn is amazing city with many places where to eat Polish food and not spend much money.

One of the best places to eat while being in Ketrzyn is Karczma Berta, offers amazing dishes of regional cuisine. Food portions are huge, quite heavy and greasy, but tasty as well. The menu also features an assortment of “perogies”- Polish dumplings with filling and unique and delicious beverages.

Zajazd pod zamkiem according to one of the place visitors; offers a diverse menu with a twist to their ingredients making the experience a little different. Food portion sizes as usually in Poland large, prices are reasonable and quality is high.

Stara kamienica located on the ground floor and has a lower ground floor for events. Located in the city centre.

Bistro spichlerz a simple cosy place with a homemade food and an amazing atmosphere, vegetarian-friendly and the gallery upstairs.

Kardamon Restaurant many people who were there consider this place the best restaurant in Ketrzyn. The most praised dishes are fish soup, cherry lemonade and gingerbread. Also a vegetarian-friendly place.

These life hacks are applicable not only to Ketrzyn but to all Polish cities and towns in common. Don’t forget to exchange money for local currency at railway stations at special exchange points or in supermarkets, shopping centres, galleries, tourist centres. It is best to move around the cities of Poland by public transport: trams, buses. The cost of a trip sometimes depends on its duration. Like in any busy tourist places be extremely careful and aware so as not to encounter pocket thieves. It is better not to carry a large sum of money with you, the original documents should be left in hotels. Most Poles understand English, but they will rather agree to help if you can say a few phrases in Polish. Portions at local restaurants are usually so large that you can order one dish for two. Buying goods in the markets, it is necessary to bargain with local sellers.