Lidzbark Warmiński - Copernicus as a physician and a secretary
Nicolas Copernicus, the greatest astronomer of all times, the one who ‘stopped the Sun and moved the Earth’, was attached to Varmia for over 40 years. In 1507 he was appointed by the Chapter of Varmia as a personal secretary and physician of his uncle, Łukasza Watzenrode, who was the bishop of Varmia at that time. They both resided in Lidzbark Warmiński in the bishops’ castle referred to as “Wawel of the North”, which is now considered as one of the best preserved Gothic castles in Poland. The castle, which was a residence of Varmia bishops for over 400 years, is thoroughly open to the public, together with its cellars and attic. One of the greatest attractions of the castle are undoubtedly well preserved mural paintings and polychromies. The castle houses the Museum of Varmia whose exhibits include impressive collections of sculptures, paintings, furniture and handicrafts. One of the most renowned residents of the castle was also bishop Ignacy Krasicki, a master of a fable and satire. To commemorate his unusual wit and sense of humour people from different regions of Poland come to Lidzbark Warmiński every year (starting from 1976) to enjoy “The Humour and Satire Feast”, which is the oldest cabaret contest in Poland.
www.lidzbarkwarminski.pl , www.domwarminski.pl
You must see
The Orthodox church from 1823, a masterpiece of Protestant architecture in Varmia,
The Romanian Cemetery – a unique necropolis, situated at the exit towards the town of Bartoszyce
Olsztyn - Copernicus and his fight against Teutonic Knights
The Chapter of Varmia Castle was built in several stages; the oldest part comes from the 14th century. From 1516 to 1521 Nicolas Copernicus resided in the castle, where he worked as an administrator and carried out his scientific research, e.g. he measured the length of the year. The most precious keepsake from that time is an astronomical board drawn by the astronomer on one of the castle walls, where he carefully marked the movement of the sun rays and finally came up with the pattern of an equinox. The castle is at present a seat of the Museum of Varmia and Masuria. In Copernicus’s former chamber we can admire a collection of paintings and exhibits related to the greatest resident of the castle. In the courtyard there are three stone statues, called “old women”, sculpted from huge granite erratic boulders centuries ago. The origin and purpose of these Prussian sculptures still remain a mystery.
www.muzeum.olsztyn.pl
You must see in Olsztyn:
The Saint Jacob Cathedral from the 14th century, the High Gate from the 14thcentury, the Old Town Hall and the Planetarium.
You must see in the vicinity:
Łajs – the old border between Varmia and Masuria, with a checkpoint and a barrier on the nearby bridge,
Kudypy – the arboretum www.olsztyn.rdlp.gov.pl
Barczewo – a former Neo-Renaissance synagogue from the 19th century
Naterki – a golf course with 18 holes www.mazurygolf.pl
Frombork - Copernicus, the creator of the monetary and heliocentric theory
Frombork is a picturesque town located by the Vistula Lagoon (Zalew Wiślany), full of historic charm. At the end of the 13th century it became a spiritual capital of Varmia and a seat of the Chapter of Varmia. The palace complex of the Cathedral Hill belongs to the most precious monuments. The complex includes Most valuable structures on the premises of the complex are the archsee, the Bishops` palace, curias which served as canons` lodges, defensive walls, as well towers and turrets. One of the greatest attractions is located inside the belfry tower – the first dynamic proof of the Earth’s rotation in an easy-to-see experiment – Foulcault’s pendulum. It was in Frombork that Nicolas Copernicus died in 1543 and was buried. After a number of unsuccessful attempts, his grave was eventually found in summer 2005. This discovery, however, requires further research before it can be thoroughly acknowledged.
Tourist information, tel./fax +48 55 243 70 52 , www.frombork.pl
You must see
Kadyny – a summer mansion of the emperor Wilhelm II, dating back to the 19th century,
the Landscape Park of the Elbląg Upland www.kadyny.com.pl
Elbląg – the Gothic Saint Nicolas church from the 15th century, the Market Gate from the 13th century, the Art Gallery EL
Tourist information, tel./fax +48 55 232 42 34, www.elblag.pl
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