Reszel, Poland

Reszel highlights

Known for castle, historical center, museum

Reszel is a small medieval town situated in the historical Warmia region, in northeastern Poland. The town Reszel is known for the gothic castle dating back to the 14th century, the main square and the historical center surrounded by brick defense walls.

Other places in Poland that we are familiar with

Malbork - Known for castle, museum, park; castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Święta Lipka (Swieta Lipka) - Known for catholic basilica, catholic pilgrimage center

Warsaw - Known for historical center, museum, catholic cathedral

Last reviewed: 5 June 2020

Reszel description

Reszel was originally a settlement built by the Bartian tribe of Old Prussians and conquered by the Teutonic Knights in 1241. The native Prussians later recaptured the settlement and held it for five years, but were eventually defeated by the German crusaders. Reszel received its town privileges in 1336 under Magdeburg law.

Upon the request of the Prussian Confederation, Polish King Casimir IV Jagiellon signed the act of incorporation of the region along with Reszel to Poland, an event that sparked the Thirteen Years' War. In 1455 the Teutonic Knights captured the town and later on, in 1462, ceded their power to the Warmian bishop, who once more in 1464 recognized the Polish King as the rightful ruler of Warmia with Reszel.

The incorporation of Reszel to the Kingdom of Poland was confirmed in a peace treaty signed in Toruń in 1466. In the 17th century, the Jesuits came to Reszel and established a college in 1632 and the Polish King John II Casimir Vasa created a scholarship fund for its students. In 1772 Reszel became part of the Prussian Partition of Poland.

In 1811 Barbara Zdunk was sentenced by the Prussian court to death for witchcraft and setting the castle alight in 1807. The trial is sometimes described as the last burning of witches in Europe.

As a result of the treaty of Versailles on 11 July 1920 the 1920 East Prussian plebiscite was organized under the control of the League of nations, which resulted in 3,260 votes to remain in Germany and none for Poland. Following the Potsdam Conference of 1945, just after the Second World War, the town was transferred from Germany to Poland for administration, as of half of East Prussia.

The main tourist attraction of Reszel is the Gothic Episcopal castle. The Reszel castle was built around 1350−1401 on a steep hill side above the right bank of the river by the Teutonic Order.

The Gothic St Peter's Church dating back to the 14th century boasts the painting of the church's patron dating back to the end of the 18th century. Other worthy of note buildings are the Jesuit complex, St John's Church and the church and convent of the nuns of the Order of St Catherine, all from the 15th and the 16th century.

Large fragments of preserved defensive walls and the Classicist town hall in the market square dating back to the 19th century are also worth visiting.

Near Reszel is the Catholic shrine of Święta Lipka, a baroque church and Late Medieval shrine augmented in the 17th century. Since its beginning it has attracted German pilgrims from Warmia, as well as Polish and Lithuanian pilgrims.

Reszel related tours

We at Monterrasol Travel welcome you to see Reszel during multi-day private car tour. Contact us if you would like to customize your tour to Reszel.

We have developed several private tours that visiting beautiful Reszel. But, if you have a special conditions or any from these tours fit you, please do not hesitate to contact us, we can organize a tour exactly as you would like. We charge nothing for develop a custom itinerary. And remember, we have no problems to take you from almost any place where you stay, hotel or private accommodation.

All seasons Baltic tour 21 days from Warsaw. UNESCO medieval towns and Teutonic Knights castles. Discovery tour across Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and north of Poland. all seasons tour 21 days Price from € 6,866 View tour details Request this tour tour starts in: Warsaw, Poland tour finishes in: Warsaw, Poland tour duration: 21 days (20 nights) tour countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland tour destinations: Augustów, Gdańsk, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Kwidzyn, Liepāja, Malbork, Olsztyn, Ostroda, Pärnu, Reszel, Riga, Sopot, Sztum, Tallinn, Tartu, Trakai, Ventspils, Vilnius, Święta Lipka Discover Baltic in 21 days all seasons tour from Warsaw. Open to yourself three Baltic countries Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and north of Poland. Visit UNESCO Teutonic Knights castles and medieval European towns. We will start this tour in Warsaw, Poland and visit Augustow on the north of Poland, well known town for relaxing vacations. After that we going to Lithuania, where in Kaunas we need to see a medieval fortress with historical exhibitions and located in old town Kaunas Cathedral Basilica; continue with Lithuania, we will walk in Klaipeda castle. After we move to Latvia to see historical center of two coastal towns Liepaja and Ventspils, and old town of Latvia's capital Riga (UNESCO site). Next we will move to third Baltic country, Estonia, and first place there is historic center of town Parnu and Estonia's capital Tallinn (UNESCO site). We will visit also the cafe-filled Town Hall Square of Tartu, the town famous with 17th century University. On the way back, again in Lithuania, we will meet the country's capital, Vilnius (UNESCO site) and walk the paths of Trakai castle, located on small peninsula in lake. As we return back to Poland, we will visit small village Swieta Lipka, famous church there have unique still active working organ. We will see medieval castles in Reszel, Olsztyn, Ostroda, and finally walk the streets of Malbork castle, the UNESCO site founded in the 13th century by the Knights of the Teutonic Order. Before we return to Warsaw, we will visit also coastal towns Gdansk and Sopot, and take a look on smaller castles in towns Sztum and Kwidzyn.