Gmina Olsztynek

Gmina Olsztynek is an urban-rural gmina (administrative district) in Olsztyn County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, in northern Poland. Its seat is the town of Olsztynek, which lies approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) south-west of the regional capital Olsztyn.

The gmina covers an area of 372.03 square kilometres (143.6 sq mi), and as of 2006 its total population is 13,666 (out of which the population of Olsztynek amounts to 7,591, and the population of the rural part of the gmina is 6,075).

Villages

Apart from the town of Olsztynek, Gmina Olsztynek contains the villages and settlements of Ameryka, Cichogrąd, Czarci Jar, Czerwona Woda, Dąb, Dębowa Góra, Drwęck, Elgnówko, Gaj, Gąsiorowo Olsztyneckie, Gębiny, Gibała, Jadamowo, Jagiełek, Jemiołowo, Juńcza, Kąpity, Kolatek, Królikowo, Kunki, Kurki, Łęciny, Lichtajny, Lipowo Kurkowskie, Lutek, Łutynówko, Łutynowo, Makruty, Malinowo, Mańki, Marązy, Maróz, Marózek, Mierki, Mycyny, Nadrowo, Nowa Wieś Ostródzka, Orzechowo, Pawłowo, Platyny, Ruda Waplewska, Rybaczówka, Samagowo, Selwa, Sitno, Smolanek, Spogany, Stare Gaje, Sudwa, Swaderki, Świerkocin, Świętajńska Karczma, Świętajny, Tolejny, Tolkmity, Tomaszyn, Waplewo, Warglewo, Warlity Małe, Waszeta, Wigwałd, Wilkowo, Witramowo, Witułty, Ząbie, Zawady and Zezuty.

Olsztynek

Olsztynek [ɔlʂˈtɨnɛk] (German: Hohenstein) is a town in Olsztyn County, in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship of Poland. It is the administrative seat of Gmina Olsztynek.

Geography

Olsztynek is located about 28 km (17 mi) south of Olsztyn in the western part of the Masurian Lake District, where it borders on the Prussian Uplands (Prusy Górne), part of the Baltic Uplands.

Olzstynek station is a stop on the railway line from Olsztyn to Działdowo. The expressway S7 running from Gdańsk via Olsztynek to Warsaw, currently under construction, is part of the European route E77. A direct link to Olsztyn will be provided by the expressway S51

History

Several decades after the subjugation of the Old Prussians, Hohenstein Castle was erected from 1351 to colonize the Sasna lands at the behest of Günter von Hohenstein, Komtur of the Teutonic Knights at Osterode commandry. A parish church was mentioned for 1348. Grand Master Winrich von Kniprode granted the surrounding settlement town privileges according to Kulm law in 1359. Olsztynek became the seat of the local administration within the State of the Teutonic Order.