Castle of Warmian Bishops in Olsztyn

Warmian Chapter Castle in Olsztyn (pronounced roughly "OL-shtin") is a 14th-century Gothic brick fortress and the top sight in the capital of Poland's Warmia and Masuria lake region. Nicolaus Copernicus ran the surrounding estates from here between 1516 and 1521, and an astronomical table he drew on a cloister wall still survives. The castle houses the Museum of Warmia and Masuria and is an official Monument of History. Important: it closed to visitors on September 14, 2026, for a multi-year restoration.

Is Olsztyn Castle open? The 2026–2029 restoration

The last day of regular visits was Sunday, September 13, 2026. The museum announced a closure of about three years, and regional media expect works to run until 2029. The project is worth more than 76 million złoty (PLN), with PLN 50 million coming from an EU-funded national program.

Work covers almost the whole complex: the roofs of the baroque wing and tower, floors and stairs, windows and doors, building systems, facades and defensive walls. The courtyard will be rebuilt and the strip between the walls turned into a Copernicus garden. New exhibitions are planned for the cellars and the upper defensive gallery, along with better access for visitors with disabilities.

So is it still worth visiting Olsztyn Castle? Yes, if you set expectations: you can walk around the walls and along the Łyna River and admire the tower, but you cannot go inside in the 2026/27 season. Expect construction fencing.

A short history

The cathedral chapter of Warmia, a body of Catholic canons who governed this part of medieval Prussia, began building the castle around 1346–1347. The town of Olsztyn (German: Allenstein) received its charter in 1353. In 1356 the garrison fought off a Lithuanian raid.

Warmia changed hands several times during the wars between Poland and the Teutonic Knights. After the Second Peace of Toruń in 1466, it belonged to the Polish Crown for more than three centuries. In 1521, Copernicus, then the chapter's administrator, organized the castle's defense against a Teutonic attack that failed after a single assault.

Prussia took over the castle in 1772 after the First Partition of Poland. Napoleon stopped here in 1807. A museum opened in 1921, and after 1945 the castle became home to today's Museum of Warmia and Masuria. In 2010, the remains of Copernicus rested here for two months before their reburial in Frombork Cathedral.

What to see

The castle is a brick quadrangle with a courtyard framed by two-story cloisters. The north wing is the oldest; a baroque palace wing facing the town was added in 1758.

The landmark you will photograph is the round tower on a square base, about 40 meters (130 ft) tall, best seen from the riverside park. When the castle reopens, the interior highlights are:

• Copernicus's astronomical table on the cloister wall, dated by the museum to 1517 and the only surviving instrument made by the astronomer himself,
• the refectory and administrator's chamber with intricate "crystal" vaults,
• the administrator's apartment, where Copernicus worked on his treatise on currency,
• the stone "Prussian baba" figure in the courtyard, possibly medieval.

How to plan your visit now

Allow 30–45 minutes to circle the castle grounds and riverside paths, then continue into the Old Town through the High Gate. A Copernicus monument stands close to the castle and makes a popular photo stop.

If you want Gothic interiors in the region, the museum runs other branches, including the Bishops' Castle in Lidzbark Warmiński, and Frombork, about two hours away by car, is the essential Copernicus site. Check current branch opening times on the museum website before you go. Signage and staff English skills at branches vary, so download information in advance.

Paths in the park are fine for families; some riverside sections have steps and slopes that are hard with a stroller or wheelchair.

Practical information

As of October 2026:

• Address: ul. Zamkowa 2, Olsztyn.
• Interior visits: not possible; closed since September 14, 2026, for roughly three years (reopening expected in 2029).
• Grounds: the surrounding park and riverside paths are free to walk, with some construction restrictions.
• Currency: Polish złoty (PLN); cards are widely accepted in Olsztyn.

How to get to Olsztyn

Olsztyn lies in northeastern Poland, about 210 km (130 mi) north of Warsaw and about 170 km southeast of Gdańsk. Direct trains from Warsaw take roughly 2.5–3 hours. The nearest airport is Olsztyn-Mazury Airport in Szymany, about an hour's drive south. From Olsztyn Główny station, take a tram or bus toward the High Gate (Wysoka Brama); the castle is a short walk from there. Drivers should use paid parking in the downtown zone, as much of the Old Town is pedestrianized.

Nearby, combine the castle with the High Gate, the Old Town square, St. James's Cathedral and the Mendelsohn House, and in summer with a swim at Lake Ukiel.