OLSZTYN

German Allenstein, capital of Olsztyn wojewdztwo (province), northeastern Poland. It lies along the Lyna River in the Masurian lake district. The town serves as a trade centre, with major rail and road connections for the lake district. The Masurian Regional Museum and an agricultural school are located here. 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 town's industry includes tire production. Pop. (1991 est.) 163,900.