Kętrzyn Town Walls

Medieval Kętrzyn occupied a hill of only about 4 hectares, enclosed by defensive walls with thirteen towers. Sections of the circuit survive between the Teutonic castle and St George's Basilica, along with a corner tower in which the Wojciech Kętrzyński Museum has recreated a medieval kitchen. It makes for a short but rewarding walk through a town of the Teutonic Order.

History: walls for a town above the Guber

The town was laid out on a rise bordered by the Guber river to the south and the Upper Lake to the north. The Teutonic Order began rebuilding the settlement around 1348, and the town charter was issued on 11 November 1357 by Johann Schindekopf, commander of Balga. The walls were probably completed in the 1370s – in 1374 the Balga commander granted Kętrzyn and Sępopol 126 marks, which historians link with support for the work. That same year he also allowed houses to be built against the walls.

The defences were strengthened by thirteen towers, two gates – the Mill Gate (Młyńska) and the High Gate (Wysoka) – and a Water Postern leading out towards the river. The walls were surrounded by moats, partly running along natural ravines. The parish church of St George, whose south and west walls adjoined the fortifications, and the castle of the Order's procurators were also part of the defensive system.

What to see

• The north-east corner tower – built in the second half of the 14th century, probably before 1374. Arrow slits survive on two storeys, and an entrance on the upper floor probably led to the wall-walks of the north and east walls.
• The "In a Medieval Kitchen" exhibition – hearths, ceramic, wooden and pewter vessels and iron utensils reconstructed from archaeological finds, complemented by original wooden tableware from village farmsteads.
• Sections of wall by the castle and around St George's Basilica – the best place to see how the church and castle "closed" the town circuit.

Did you know

In 1667–1670 water was piped into the tower through a wooden conduit from the Upper Pond – it probably housed a well from which water was pumped into the town's water supply. In the 18th century a military parade ground lay next to the tower, and the Royal Salt Store stood against the wall. The walls began to disappear in the 19th century: both gates were demolished in 1819, a section by the former High Gate was taken down in 1868 to create the New Market, and in 1913 another gap was cut to link the Old Town with a new street.

Tripto tips

• Tickets: entry to the tower costs PLN 7; a ticket for the full offer (castle and tower) is PLN 20 standard and PLN 15 reduced. The tower sometimes hosts temporary exhibitions too, so check the museum's programme.
• Opening hours: the castle and tower are open Tuesday to Sunday; according to the museum, 9:00–16:00 from October to May and 10:00–17:00 from June to September (as of October 2026).
• Plan your visit: start at the castle on pl. Zamkowy 1, walk around St George's Basilica and finish at the tower – two hours is enough for everything.
• Nearby: Kętrzyn is a good base for Święta Lipka (about 12 km), Reszel (about 15 km) and the castle in Ryn (about 19 km).