The best traffic-free bike rides in Czarny Las

Storied historic town with a well-resored palace museum a not yet renovated private part of a former castle, a park trail along the preserved sections of the old city walls, and a historic town hall in the old town center. Good bilingual info panels at the main historic highlights

Probably the most prominent structure of the Brick Gothic style in northern Poland, rhe church was probably built between 1370 and 1380, after Allenstein was granted city rights in 1352. The impressive east gable was built shortly after 1429. During the Fourth Coalition War, the church was used as a prison for 1,500 Prussian and Russian soldiers in the winter of 1806/07, who used the furnishings as firewood. The current furnishings were then created, which fortunately survived the end of the war in 1945 thanks to the work of Pastor Johannes Hanowski. The baroque interior design that had been installed in the meantime was removed in 1866. In 1896, the main altar with its valuable Flemish paintings, which had been installed from the castle's St. Anne's Chapel, fell victim to a fire. In 1899, the roof was replaced. Around 1900, the composer Feliks Nowowiejski worked as an organist at St. James' Church. On June 28, 1972, the church became a co-cathedral of the archdiocese. In 1991, Pope John Paul II visited it, and in 2004, he elevated St. James' Church to a minor basilica. The three-aisled hall church was built without a choir. The tower was initially built free-standing only up to the church roof and was only raised to its current size between 1582 and 1596. With the construction of the side chapels, which were added between 1715 and 1721 together with a general restoration, the tower became part of the church. The current spire was added in 1867/68, with the golden star dating from the original building in 1596. At the same time, the façade was redesigned in a neo-Gothic style, with Ferdinand von Quast and August Stüler contributing. In 2001, the church received a representative main portal made of bronze.

One of the most beautiful original early Teutonic East-Prussian settlement churches. If you're lucky to come during a service note the slanted floor dramatically rising towards the altar, and the recovered medieval murals. If locked ask for the friendly young priest who lives nearby to come with the massive big keys

In 1334, a watchtower was established on the Łyna River. In 1346, the forest was cleared at the location for a new settlement, mentioned in a historical document from 1348. The following year, the Teutonic Knights began the construction of an Ordensburg (castle) as a stronghold against the Baltic Prussians. Allenstein was granted municipal rights by the cathedral chapter of the Bishopric of Warmia in October 1353. The German "Allenstein" referred to the river's Baltic Prussian name Alna, which meant a hind. Local Poles, having arrived along with German settlers, called it Holstin and Olsztyn, which are Polonizations of the German name. The castle was completed in 1397. The town was captured by the Kingdom of Poland during the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War in 1410, and again in 1414 during the Hunger War, but it was returned to the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights after hostilities ended.

Lake Narie - a post-glacial ribbon lake. Maximum depth approx. 40m

A small, pleasant lake. A small pier and beach. A great place for a picnic.

Allenstein Castle was built in the 14th century and served as the residence of the grand masters of the Teutonic Order. Today the castle houses a museum that presents a variety of exhibitions and exhibits on the history of the Teutonic Order and the city of Allenstein.

The old town hall presents itself in a wonderfully restored Gothic look. It was built in the second half of the 14th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1620 and expanded over time.