Ostrołęka, Administrative center in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Ostrołęka is a city in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland, positioned on the eastern bank of the Narew River that winds through the center. A bridge dating from 1995 connects both shores and provides access to residential areas, parks, and public facilities on either side of the waterway.
The settlement received its town charter in 1373 and grew into an important trading center in the Kurpie Forest region during the following centuries. A battle fought here during the Napoleonic Wars later earned the town's name a place on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The name comes from Old Polish words referring to pointed structures or elevations, which reflects the local topography along the riverbanks. Visitors experience daily life along waterfront promenades where locals walk and enjoy views of the Narew.
The city can be explored on foot, especially near the riverfront where paths follow the water's edge. Sports facilities and educational buildings are spread throughout the area and offer opportunities for activities during a visit.
The town's name appears on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as a memorial to a battle fought here in 1807 during the Napoleonic campaigns. This inscription makes it one of the few Polish towns honored on that famous French monument.
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