Welcome to Szczytno - the capital of the Warmian-Mazurian district.
The town, with its 28,000 inhabitants, lies surrounded by the beautiful forests and clear lakes, which typify this region's rich natural heritage.
This ancient town, whose origins date back to early Middle Ages was first settled by a tribe called the Galind. In the 14th century, the Teutonic Knights built a fortress and castle, which gave birth to the market town nearby. From these beginnings, the present-day town of Szczytno emerged. In Teutonic Prussia, the castle remained an important military and administrative centre, and so the town's importance grew with it. Later, in the XVI century, the area was favoured by the Grand Dukes of Prussia for its hunting.

In the 19th century, still under then Prussian rule, Szczytno became the centre of the Polish movement in the Mazurian area. During the Second World War, the town was devastated and then occupied by the Soviet Army, which used it as a command post. After Jalta, these areas of former East Prussia were ceded to the Polish State. The Prussian population was deported and a Polish administration assumed power in May 1945. Then, Polish refugees from Poland's former eastern territories were resettled in the area and another era in the town's history began.


Noteworthy historical monuments include:
- the ruins of the Teutonic castle
- the Mazurian Cottage
- the Town Hall with its viewing tower, from which one can admire Szczytno's beautiful panorama.
Religious monuments of interest include:
- Evangelical, Baptist and Catholic churches in baroque and neogothic styles
- Jewish, Catholic and Evangelical cemeteries.
The Mazurian Regional Museum, located in the Town Hall, presents exhibits of this region's history, culture and natural heritage, as well as the unique collection of hand-painted oven tiles.

The Town Hall Offices (Urząd Miejski w Szczytnie)
ul. Sienkiewicza 1, Szczytno 12-100
Tel: (+48) 89 624 26 25. Fax: (+48) 89 624 26 19
Website: www.um.szczytno.pl E-mail: um@um. szczytno.pl