See on map Explore the five revitalised monuments in the cities of Cittaslow
The idea of the international Cittaslow city movement, which was established in Italy in 1998, is to promote the culture of good and harmonious life, which is an alternative to the big city rush and progressing globalisation. The cities with the sign of the orange snail undertake joint activities to improve the quality of life of their residents, develop culture, and focus on pro-social and pro-environmental activities. They take care to preserve the unique character of the urban organism by restoring monuments and promote local production and cuisine.
The Cittaslow movement includes over 260 cities from 30 countries across the globe. 22 out of 31 Polish Cittaslow towns are located in Warmia and Masuria.
Experience the five monuments in the region, revitalised as part of a program implemented by cities belonging to the network
Teutonic castle in Działdowo
A stronghold built by the Teutonic Order in 1344-1391. As part of the revitalisation program, renovation efforts were undertaken with reference to the Gothic wing of the castle, the walls with the courtyard, as well as the elements of the south-west wing. As a result of the works, the exhibitions of Muzeum Pogranicza (The Borderland Museum) were made available to visitors. There are facilities for servicing visitors, a tourist information point and a souvenir shop.
Foto. www.cittaslowpolska.pl
Gate tower of the castle of Warmia bishops in Braniewo
The tower is the only surviving element of the bishop’s castle, which was built in the second half of the 13th century. It is the oldest brick monument in Warmia. The revitalisation works featured the superstructure, reconstruction and transformation of the tower as well as the construction of an observation terrace.
Revitalisation efforts were also undertaken with reference to the retaining walls of the city moat, with the length of about 55 m. The rooms of the renovated tower are used for museum exhibitions and as a tourist information point.
Foto. www.it.braniewo.pl
Lidzbark Gate in Bisztynek
The Lidzbark Gate is the only preserved element of the urban fortifications of Bisztynek. It is one of the three gates that were built in the 15th and 16th centuries (alongside Reszelska and Warszawska gate, which have not survived). It was transformed in approx. 1780, and in the 19th century it was converted into a prison.
As a result of the revitalisation, rooms were created for a youth cafe and a workshop of Młodzieżowy Klub Integracji Społecznej (the Youth Club for Social Integration). The area around the gate has also been developed, and now serves as recreational space for the inhabitants of the commune and tourists.
Foto. www.cittaslowpolska.pl
The Water Tower in Olsztynek
The tower was erected in 1906, and served as part of Olsztynek’s water supply system until 1995. After renovation, a conference room with full sanitary facilities was created inside the tower, where cultural events and meetings of Młodzieżowy Klub Integracji Społecznej (the Youth Club for Social Integration) are held. The building also includes a climbing wall and a lift that transports visitors to the observation terrace at the top of the tower.
Castle of the Chełmno bishops in Lubawa
This Gothic castle, surrounded by a wall and a moat, was built in the years 1302-1326. In the 19th century, it was almost completely disassembled. As part of the revitalisation program, two wings of the building were reconstructed, where a Social Activity Center with a conference room as well as full sanitary facilities was created.
There are also other facilities here: the offices of non-governmental organisations, a brotherhood of knights, a tourist information point and a multimedia museum. In addition, the area around the castle was also transformed and the historic wall was renovated.
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