Lidzbark Warminsky

From 1350 to the 19th century, Lidzbark Warminsky was the capital of Warmia . Even before the Teutonic Order came to these lands, on the site of the future city there was the ancient city of Letsbarg, belonging to the Prussian tribe pogesan. The hillfort was captured by the Teutons in 1241. In its place, a wooden fortress was first erected, burned by the Prussians in 1242.

The construction of the stone castle was begun in 1348. The castle and the adjacent southern pre-castle part, the so-called “pre-castle”, surrounded by high walls and fortified by a deep moat, create a unique architectural ensemble. It is ranked as a world-class architectural monument. Three regular bishops built their historic residence: Jan I of Misni, Jan II Stryprotsk and Henry III Sorbom, from 1350 to 1401. Soon she became the center of their secular and religious power. The castle is built on a plan of the square. He is simple and restrained. The corners are crowned by three tetrahedral lancet towers stretching towards the light. The fourth tower was adapted to the defense of the castle. The main entrance to the castle is on the south side. It leads to a square courtyard surrounded by two-story arched galleries.

Lidzbark-Warminsky is often called the city of "famous people." In 1495–1496 and in 1503–1510, Nikolai Kopernik , the future creator of the heliocentric system of the world, lived with his uncle, Bishop of Warmia, Lukasz Wachenrode . In the castle, the scientist wrote "Comments on hypotheses ...". Here he translated from Greek into Latin the works of Theophylact Simocatta . The last famous resident of Lidzbar Castle was Ignacy Krasitsky . The city honors the memory of the “Prince of Poets". Every year in the summer, cabaret contests, the so-called "Lidzbar nights of humor and satire," are held in the castle amphitheater.

As part of the first partition of Poland, Heilsberg went to Prussia in 1772. The bishop and the chapter lost their power, and the Prussian garrison was housed in the castle. By 1772, 230 houses were located inside the city walls, and 50 houses were located on the outskirts. The population along with the garrison of the castle amounted to 3049 people. After the second partition of Poland, Ignacy Krasitsky left Warmia, the bishop's residence moved to Olsztyn, and the city with the castle fell into decay.

On June 10 and 11, 1807, the Battle of Heilsberg took place between the Russian-Prussian forces united under the command of Bennigsen and the French troops of Murat and Sult.

By the beginning of the 20th century, there were Lutheran and Catholic churches, a synagogue, a bishop’s castle, an orphanage of St. Joseph, a winter agricultural school, a monastery of the Order of Catherine and a district court in Heilsberg.

From 1818 to 1945, Heilsberg was the administrative center of the rural Heilsberg district of the Königsberg government district of East Prussia.

In January 1945 , during the Second World War , fierce battles were fought in the area of ​​the city (the so-called " Heilsberg Triangle ").

Since 1961, the castle became the residence of the Warmia Museum. In it you can get acquainted with the works of art of ancient Warmia and East Prussia , see paintings by prominent Polish artists of the 20th century . The castle halls display masterpieces of Gothic religious woodcarving and painting (XVII-XIX centuries). Portraits of the bishops of Warmia hang on the walls of the castle, and in glass cases there are objects associated with their patronage. There is also an art craft - gold craftsmanship, fabric, furniture. In the summer refectory, portraits of the ancestors of Ignacy Krasitsky hang, and a floor above you can see paintings by Polish artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Lidzbark Warminsky is dominated by economic activity in the field of trade and services. The industry is mainly engaged in the processing of local raw materials, such as wood, which goes to the carpentry and furniture production. There are also milk processing enterprises working on local raw materials.

The main industrial enterprise in the city is the Polmlek Dairy Plant. It employs about 400 people, and it is one of the largest dairies in the country. 40% of the plant’s products are exported. In addition, the Warmia Cooperative of the Disabled operates in the city, producing disposable medical clothing.

Lidzbark Warminsky - part of the Warmian-Masurian special economic zone. In 1999, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship was established in Lidzbark Warminsky, which unites enterprises engaged in entrepreneurial activities in Lidzbark County.

The register of protected monuments of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship ^[4] includes:

• City planning of the XIV — XV centuries
• The complex of the church of the Apostles Peter and Paul of the XIV-XVI centuries.
• Lutheran church of the beginning of the XIX century.
• Chapel of St. Catherine XVIII, XIX century.
• Monastery of the Sisters of Catherine the XIX century.
• Episcopal Castle Complex
• XIV century city walls
• High gates of the 14th century
• Summer Episcopal Palace “Orangery” late 17th century, 1770
• House (former defensive tower) XIV, XIX century.
• Houses (with fragments of defensive walls) of the 18th, early 19th centuries

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• Tadeusz Flat - Polish Catholic priest, scholar. Division General
• Zbigniew Mikoleiko - Polish philosopher, historian of religion and ideas, essayist, teacher.
• Bogdan Borusewicz - Polish politician, Marshal of the Sejm in 2005-2015.

• Heilsberg (Prussia) // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.
• Heilsberg Castle