Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship

The Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship is a province in northeastern Poland. Its capital and largest city is Olsztyn. Covering an area of 24,192 km², the voivodeship is home to over 1.4 million people.

Created on January 1, 1999, the region was formed from parts of several older provinces following local government reforms in Poland. The name comes from two historic areas, Warmia and Masuria, but also includes parts of other regions such as Chełmno Land, Powiśle, Mazovia, Bartia, and Natangia.

This province shares borders with 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, including 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 (172,194)
2. Elbląg (119,760)
3. Ełk (62,006)

Towns:

1. Iława (33,322)
2. Ostróda (32,947)
3. Giżycko (29,335)
4. Kętrzyn (27,212)
5. Bartoszyce (23,482)
6. Szczytno (23,267)
7. Mrągowo (21,656)
8. Działdowo (21,279)
9. Pisz (19,277)
10. Braniewo (17,040)
11. Olecko (16,442)
12. Lidzbark Warmiński (15,728)
13. Morąg (13,793)
14. Nidzica (13,762)
15. Gołdap (13,716)
16. Pasłęk (12,160)
17. Węgorzewo (11,328)
18. Nowe Miasto Lubawskie (10,891)
19. Biskupiec (10,598)
20. Lubawa (10,387)
21. Dobre Miasto (10,208)
22. Orneta (8,772)
23. Lidzbark (7,794)
24. Olsztynek (7,561)
25. Barczewo (7,513)
26. Susz (5,560)
27. Orzysz (5,546)
28. Reszel (4,532)
29. Ruciane-Nida (4,454)
30. Korsze (4,206)
31. Biała Piska (4,024)
32. Górowo Iławeckie (3,951)
33. Mikołajki (3,826)
34. Jeziorany (3,190)
35. Wielbark (3,035)
36. Ryn (2,851)
37. Pieniężno (2,721)
38. Tolkmicko (2,689)
39. Miłakowo (2,548)
40. Pasym (2,503)
41. Miłomłyn (2,436)
42. Bisztynek (2,370)
43. Frombork (2,332)
44. Zalewo (2,145)
45. Kisielice (2,098)
46. Sępopol (1,958)
47. Młynary (1,772)

Administrative division

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

Sights and tourism

The Masurian Lake District is one of the most popular places 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 also 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 set aside to protect nature. These are called Landscape Parks, and there are eight of them in this area. Some of these parks share space with nearby regions.

One special spot is Łuknajno Lake, which is protected under international agreements and recognized for its 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 and has 42% alcohol by volume. There is also a local type of Polish beer called Warmian porter, and a special nalewka called niedźwiedziówka 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, which has more members here than in any other area of Poland.

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.