Kętrzyn, Medieval castle town in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
Kętrzyn is a town in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in northeastern Poland, situated along the Guber River. The 14th-century fortress now houses a museum and a municipal library, while buildings from different eras surround the market square.
The town was established in 1329 by Teutonic Knights as a fortified settlement and granted town rights in 1357. In 1440 it joined the Prussian Confederation, an alliance against the Teutonic Order, which later led to conflicts and territorial changes.
The Guber River flows through the center and shapes daily life with pathways, bridges and small parks along its banks. On weekends locals gather at the market square where regional goods and crafts are offered.
The town sits centrally in the Masurian Lake District and offers good connections to nearby attractions such as Reszel and Święta Lipka. The town center is compact and easy to explore on foot, while parking is available at the edge of the old town.
The nearby Wolf's Lair, roughly 8 kilometers away, served as a military headquarters during World War II and consists of massive concrete bunkers in the forest. Today visitors can tour the site and explore the preserved structures along with the surrounding woodland.
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