Olsztynek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olsztynek (German: Hohenstein) is a town in Poland, in Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, in Olsztyn County. It has 7,648 inhabitants (2004).
[edit] History
The town was founded as Hohenstein by the Teutonic Order. Construction of the castle began in 1351, Kulm law city rights were granted in 1359.
Both Battles of Tannenberg took place in the vicinity, in 1410 and in 1914, when combat within the town occurred. A large Tannenberg Memorial was placed here in 1927. Hitler ordered it renamed "Reichsehrenmal Tannenberg" in 1935, and destroyed in 1945 after the coffins of Paul von Hindenburg and his wife were removed.
Until 1945 the town, known as Hohenstein in Ostpreußen, was part of Landkreis Osterode in East Prussia. In January 1945 it was occupied by the Red Army. Later it was handed over to Polish administration, and the German population was expelled.
[edit] Famous people
- Christoph Mrongovius (1764-1855), pastor, linguist
- Paul Wendland (1864-1915), classical philologist
- Albert Lieven (1906-1971), actor
[edit] External link
 |
This Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
