Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship is a province in northeastern Poland. Its capital and largest city is Olsztyn. It covers 24,192 km² and has over 1.4 million people.

It was created on January 1, 1999, from parts of older provinces after local government changes in Poland. The name comes from two historic areas, Warmia and Masuria, and also includes parts of Chełmno Land, Powiśle, Mazovia, Bartia, and Natangia.

The province borders Podlaskie Voivodeship to the east, Masovian Voivodeship to the south, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship to the southwest, and Pomeranian Voivodeship to the west. It also borders the Vistula Lagoon to the northwest and Kaliningrad Oblast, an exclave of Russia, to the north.

History

The region was first home to several ancient Old Prussian groups, like the Bartians, Pogesanians, and Warmians, after whom Warmia gets its name. During a big fight called the Northern Crusade, German knights took over the land. They brought many German and Polish people to live there. This changed the area a lot.

Later, the region grew in trade and cities thanks to a group of merchants called the Hanseatic League. There were many wars between the German knights and Poland. After one big battle, the Battle of Grunwald, the area was split. Some parts joined Poland, while others stayed under German control.

In time, the German knights' rule ended, and the area became part of Prussia. It saw hard times during two big wars in the early 1900s. After the second big war, many German people left, and the area became part of Poland again.

Cities and towns

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship has three main cities and 47 smaller towns. Here are the largest places to live in the area:

Cities (led by a city mayor):

1. Olsztyn
2. Elbląg
3. Ełk

Towns:

1. Iława
2. Ostróda
3. Giżycko
4. Kętrzyn
5. Bartoszyce
6. Szczytno
7. Mrągowo
8. Działdowo
9. Pisz
10. Braniewo
11. Olecko
12. Lidzbark Warmiński
13. Morąg
14. Nidzica
15. Gołdap
16. Pasłęk
17. Węgorzewo
18. Nowe Miasto Lubawskie
19. Biskupiec
20. Lubawa
21. Dobre Miasto
22. Orneta
23. Lidzbark
24. Olsztynek
25. Barczewo
26. Susz
27. Orzysz
28. Reszel
29. Ruciane-Nida
30. Korsze
31. Biała Piska
32. Górowo Iławeckie
33. Mikołajki
34. Jeziorany
35. Wielbark
36. Ryn
37. Pieniężno
38. Tolkmicko
39. Miłakowo
40. Pasym
41. Miłomłyn
42. Bisztynek
43. Frombork
44. Zalewo
45. Kisielice
46. Sępopol
47. Młynary

Administrative division

Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship is divided into 21 counties. There are two city counties and 19 land counties. These counties are split into 116 smaller areas called gminas.

Sights and tourism

The Masurian Lake District is a popular place to visit. It has over 2,000 lakes, including Poland's largest lakes, Śniardwy and Mamry. Towns like Giżycko, Iława, Mrągowo, Mikołajki, and Ruciane-Nida are favorite spots for summer trips.

You can see beautiful old castles such as Lidzbark Warmiński Castle, Olsztyn Castle, Reszel Castle, and Pieniężno Castle. In Frombork, you can visit Cathedral Hill where the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus lived and worked. There are also many historic churches and preserved medieval town walls to explore.

The Elbląg Canal is a famous landmark in the western part of the region. Each year, people gather at the Grunwald battlefield to remember an important battle from long ago. Gołdap is known for its relaxing spas. You can also visit a museum in Barczewo that honors the composer Feliks Nowowiejski.

Protected areas

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship has many special places to protect nature. These places are called Landscape Parks, and there are eight of them here. Some parks are shared with nearby areas.

One special spot is Łuknajno Lake. It is protected by international agreements because it has important natural value.

Cuisine

In addition to traditional nationwide Polish cuisine, the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship has its own special foods and drinks. Masuria is known for its meat products, especially kiełbasa, and for making traditional Polish honey. It also shares with nearby Podlaskie Voivodeship the tradition of making sękacz, a special spit cake.

The region also has special drinks, such as Okowita miodowa warmińska, which is a sweet drink made from Warmian honey. There is also a local type of Polish beer called Warmian porter, and a special nalewka from Masuria.

Education

The main universities in this area are the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and the Higher State College of Vocational Education in Elbląg. Every year, students celebrate Kortowiada in Olsztyn, one of Poland's biggest student festivals.

The main police training school for all of Poland, called the Police Academy, is in Szczytno.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Poland

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship has strong connections with towns around the world. It is part of an international group called Cittaslow.

Twin towns – sister cities

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship is twinned with:

• Podolsk, Russia

Sports

Stare Jabłonki hosted the 2013 Beach Volleyball World Championships and the 2019 European Beach Handball Championship.