Town of Braniewo

A county town on the Pasłęka River, near where it flows into the Vistula Lagoon — the oldest town in Warmia and its first capital. It covers 12.41 km² and is home to about 16,000 people (2024). Chartered in 1254, a member of the Hanseatic League from 1358 to the 16th century, and part of the Polish Crown within the Prince-Bishopric of Warmia between 1466 and 1772.

Overview

• Area: 12.41 km²
• Population: 16,015 (2024)
• Key monuments: the Basilica of St Catherine of Alexandria (14th–15th c.), the gate tower of the Warmian bishops’ castle (13th c.), and the Hosianum Jesuit college — the first Polish Jesuit college.
• During the Second World War the town was about 85% destroyed during the fighting in spring 1945 — much of the present-day urban fabric is post-war reconstruction.

Authorities

Mayor (Burmistrz): Tomasz Sielicki (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).