Barciany

Barciany is a village near the Russian border centered on a medieval brick fortress surrounded by agricultural land. The castle sits among residential buildings and open countryside, with fields extending in all directions around the settlement.

The settlement began as a Baltic tribal site and was later fortified by the Teutonic Knights who reshaped the local defenses. The brick castle took its present form in the early 14th century when the Knights modernized the original structures.

The place takes its name from the Bartians, a Baltic people who lived here before the Teutonic Knights arrived. This medieval foundation shaped the village's character and remains visible in its layout and buildings today.

The village is easily accessible by car and lies just north of Kętrzyn in flat, open countryside where parking is generally available. As the administrative center of the district, it offers basic services but limited tourist facilities.

After World War II, the castle was converted into administrative and storage facilities for a state farm, completely changing its medieval purpose. The marks of this practical conversion remain visible in how the building is organized today.