RESZEL a historic town in Poland

A bit of History Reszel was originally a settlement built by the Bartian tribe of Old Prussians and conquered by the Teutonic Knights in Reszel received its town privilages in 1337 under Magdeburg law. Around 1811 after a trial Barbara Zdunk was the last person executed for witchcraft in Europe.

1917 a terrible fire destroyed most houses in the old town town, on 11 July 1920 after the plebiscit results 97,90% to 2,10% Reszel remained German until Potsdam Conference of 1945 when it was returned to Poland. Unique for preserved medieval structure of the town.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES RESZEL UNIQUE

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

Nowadays the castle is a place where artists come for inspiration but also to exhibit their work

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.

THE OLD PARISH ( ONE OF THE OLDEST BUILDINGS IN THE TOWN) BUILT IN 1444

Now it is under reconstructions

THE BRIDGES A bridge just like any other bridges the road doesn’t stand out at all. But if you stop for a moment and look down over the fence, you will see an impressive medieval construction. The bridge named Wysoki (and also Rybacki, meaning „fishing”in Polish) on the road leading to the center of Reszel has Gothic origins. It was built in the 14th Century.

The High Bridge over a 100 years ago

The Low Bridge

now under reconstruction

It is also worth having a look at the Reszel market with a neoclassical town hall, built in the years after the fire of the old, Gothic one. Nearby is the recently reconstructed well, one of the relics of the medieval system of waterworks.

The same town hall in the past

In winter time

The old town in the past

ORTHODOX CHURCH built by Augustians in1347 roku

A BEAUTIFUL PARK PARK IS LOCATED IN A GORGE GLACIER, THE RIVER SAJNA FLOWS THROUGH

RESZEL IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION SO DURING SUMMER HOLIDAYS THERE ARE MANY CULTURE EVENTS ONE OF SUCH IS THE TRADITIONAL TOWN’S „NAMES DAY”. IT IS A DAY WHEN ALL THE PEOPLE GATHER TO CELEBRATE BEING CITIZENS OF THE TOWN. THERE ARE SHOWS, FAMILY PICNICKS AND LATER AT NIGHT A DANCE.

BARBARA ZDUNK RESZEL was the last place where a witch was executed and burnt for witchcraft. In 2011 there was a show in front of the castle comemorating this event. Tourists from all over Poland came to see it as it was advertised in national media.

DOŻYNKI harvest festival

RESZEL in Cittaslow organization The Movement of cittaslow was born in 1999 through the Paolo Saturnini’s brilliant intuition, past Mayor of Greve in Chianti, a little town of Tuscany.Now it is a worldwide organization. The main goal of cittaslow, was and still is today, to enlarge the philosophy of Slow Food to local communities and to government of towns, applying the concepts of ecogastronomy at practice of everyday life.

Reszel joined the organization as the first town of Poland in 2004

Cittaslow France Blanquefort Créon Labastide d’Armagnac Mirande Segonzac

IT IS WORTH SEEING THE PLACE CALLED RESZEL