Town of Kętrzyn

A county town in the northern part of the Warmia-Masuria Voivodeship, formerly Rastenburg, founded in 1329 by the commander of Balga. It covers an area of 10.35 km² and is home to about 25,000 people. During the Second World War, Hitler’s main headquarters — the Wolf’s Lair — was located in the nearby Gierłoż forests. After the war the town was given its present name in 1946, in honour of Wojciech Kętrzyński.

Overview

• Area: 10.35 km²
• Population: 25,113 (2024)
• The capital of Kętrzyn County
• Regional tourist attractions: the Wolf’s Lair in nearby Gierłoż, the Gothic Teutonic castle, and the Basilica of St George

Authorities

Mayor (Burmistrz): Karol Lizurej (term 2024–2029)

Cooperation within the WMSP

This local government takes part in the shared territorial strategy of the borderland through 2030 and in the CuRI 2026–2027 programme (Eastern Border Regions Catching-up Regions Initiative, European Commission + World Bank).