city, capital of Warmińsko-Mazurskie województwo (province), northeastern Poland. It lies along the Łyna River in the Masurian lake district. The city serves as a trade centre, with major rail and road connections, for the lake district. The Museum of Warmia and Mazury and a university are located in Olsztyn.

The Teutonic Knights built an imposing castle there in 1334, and the settlement that grew around it received municipal rights in 1353. The town and its locality became part of Poland in 1466 and was annexed by Prussia in 1772. After suffering extensive damage in World War II, Olsztyn was returned to Poland in 1945 and was entirely resettled by Poles. Parts of the Gothic castle and surrounding walls remain. The city's industry includes tire production. Pop. (2002) 173,102.