Allenstein

Olsztyn

Left to right: Castle
Market Square
House at Okopowa Street
Old Town Hall

Flag

Coat of arms

Motto: Olsztyn – Miasto Młode Duchem…
(Olsztyn – a city young in spirit…)

Olsztyn

Coordinates: 53°47′N 20°30′E / 53.783°N 20.500°E

Country

city county

Established

14th century

Town rights

1353

Government

• Mayor

Piotr Grzymowicz

Area

• City

88.328 km² (34.104 sq mi)

Highest elevation

154 m (505 ft)

Lowest elevation

88 m (289 ft)

Population (2011)

• City

175,420

• Density

2,000/km² (5,100/sq mi)

• Metro

270,000

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Postal code

10-001 to 11–041

+48 89

Website

http://www.olsztyn.eu

Olsztyn ([ˈɔlʂtɨn] [OL-sh-tin]; German: Allenstein (listen); Old Polish: Holstin; Old Prussian: Alnāsteini or Alnestabs; Lithuanian: Alštynas or Olštynas) is a city on the Łyna River in northeastern Poland. Olsztyn is the capital of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, and is a city with powiat rights.

Founded in the 14th century, Olsztyn was under the control and influence of the Teutonic Order until 1466, when it was incorporated into the Polish Crown. For centuries the city was an important centre of trade, crafts, science and administration in the Warmia region linking Warsaw with Königsberg. At the time Olsztyn was inhabited by ethnic Masovians and was predominantly Roman Catholic. Following the First Partition of Poland in 1772 Warmia was annexed by Prussia, becoming a part of newly established Eastern Prussia. Olsztyn entered a period of economic stagnation and decline, devastated by a series of wars as well as plagues which depopulated the city almost completely. After the partition Olsztyn ceased to be the property of the clergy and was in the hands of the Prussian king. In the 19th century the city changed its status completely, becoming the most prominent economic hub of the southern part of Eastern Prussia. The construction of a railway and industrialization greatly contributed to Olsztyn's significance.

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Wikipedia