Landmarks

Masonic Lodge Building in Kętrzyn

On Mickiewicza Street in Kętrzyn stands a two-storey villa in the spirit of English Gothic — the former seat of the Masonic lodge „Drei Thore des Tempels" („The Three Gates of the Temple"). The brotherhood had operated here since 9 October 1818, and in 1860–1864 it built itself a grand lodge, unusual for a small Masurian town.

Architecture with an English accent

The rectangular building is decorated with octagonal turrets in the corners, while a pentagonal stair risalit with a tented roof adjoins it from the east. The elevations echo English Gothic, popular in 19th-century villa architecture. The effect is striking in Rastenburg — the name Kętrzyn bore only since 1946.

From lodge to cinema

After the lodge was dissolved, its property passed to the town. After World War II the building housed a community cultural centre and a cinema. In 1999 it was thoroughly restored; today it holds the seat of the Arno Holz Association for Polish-German Understanding and a café worth a stop while strolling around the centre.

Where to go next

The lodge stands close to Kętrzyn's main sights: the Teutonic castle (0.3 km), the town walls and St George's church (0.2 km). A little further: the sanctuary in Święta Lipka (12 km) and the castles in Reszel (15 km) and Ryn (19 km).