In the footsteps of famous people in Warmia and Mazury

Warmia and Mazury is a culturally and ethnically diverse region enriched by biographies of famous people, who have made a big contribution to its development and history, people born in East Prussia but also those who came from other parts of the country.

The inhabitants of the region can be proud of the fact that prominent scientists, poets, folk artists and social and political activists have lived and worked in the area. Among them are Ignacy Krasicki, Nicolaus Copernicus, Michał Kajka, Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz or Gustaw Gizewiusz, to name but a few.

Ignacy Krasicki (1735-1801) was born in Dubiecko near Przemyśl. Prince – bishop of Warmia, called “the prince of poets”, author of epigrams and fables, the most outstanding creator of the Polish Enlightenment and patron of culture. Most of his works were created in Lidzbark Warmiński, and the castle here was once the centre of science, art and culture. Today, the castle houses the Warmia Museum with a rich collection of mementoes of the poet and in the buildings of the former castle grounds the Krasicki Hotel was built.

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was born in Toruń. The most famous inhabitant of Warmia. A mathematician and creator of astronomical theories, also an economist, lawyer, translator and doctor. He spent most of his life – nearly 40 years – in Warmia as the capitulary of the Warmia Cathedral Chapter, living and working there. The Museum of Warmia and Mazury in the Olsztyn Castle has a permanent exhibition dedicated to the astronomer. On the Cathedral Hill in Frombork you can find the Museum of Nicolaus Copernicus.

Michał Kajka (1858-1940) was born in Skomack Wielki. An artist and the most prominent regional folk poet, politician and Masurian activist and fighter for Polish Mazury. Michał Kajka addressed important social issues of the region, which made his work very popular. The poet’s museum is located in the village of Ogródek.

Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz (1764-1855) was born in Olsztynek. Social activist, defender of the Polish language in Mazury, translator, philosopher and author of Polish textbooks, dictionaries and calendars. He worked as a Polish teacher in Królewiec. We invite you to Olsztynek for a permanent exhibition dedicated to him.

Gustaw Gizewiusz (1810-1848) was born in Pisz. Evangelical pastor, educator, educational activist, regional politician in Mazury. He fought for the right to preserve the local culture and the possibility to learn Polish in schools. He also studied languages, wrote songs and initiated ethnographic studies of the Masurian land.