Reszel

The brick gothic castle and church

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Coat of arms

Reszel

Coordinates: 54°3′8″N 21°8′41″E / 54.05222°N 21.14472°E

Country

Poland

Area

• Total

3.82 km² (1.47 sq mi)

Population (2012)

• Total

4,896

• Density

1,300/km² (3,300/sq mi)

Postal code

11-440

Website

http://www.reszel.pl/

Reszel [ˈrɛʂɛl] (German: Rößel; Prussian: Resel or Resl) is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, in northeastern Poland.

A small town of Warmia, with a long history, many historical monuments and various tourist attractions, as of December 31, 2012, the city's population was 4896. The gothic Castle and the medieval city center surrounded by brick defense walls are very popular among tourists.

Reszel was originally a settlement built by the Bartian tribe of Old Prussians and conquered by the Teutonic Knights in 1241. The native Prussians later recaptured the settlement and held it for five years, but were eventually defeated by the German crusaders. Reszel received its town privileges in 1337 under Magdeburg law. In 1466 Reszel became part of the Kingdom of Poland.

In 1811 Barbara Zdunk was sentenced to death for witchcraft and setting the castle alight in 1807. The trial lasted three years. The case was controversial, however the court approved the verdict in Königsberg and she was sentenced to burn, but was mysteriously strangled before the process. The trial is sometimes described as the last burning of witches in Europe.

As a result of the treaty of Versailles on 11 July 1920 the Warmia and Masuria plebiscite was organized under the control of the League of nations, which resulted 97,90% of votes to remain in Germany and 2,10% for Poland.

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