Olecko

Olecko, formerly known as Margrabowa and Treuburg, is a town in northeastern Poland, located in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. It boasts a rich urban layout with a market square in the shape of an irregular trapezoid—the largest in Poland and one of the largest in Europe—as well as historic architectural landmarks, such as a Teutonic hunting castle and the 19th-century Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The history of Olecko dates back to the Paleolithic era, though the town itself was officially founded in 1560 by Duke Albert Hohenzollern. During the era of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, it was a fief of the Polish Crown, though its development was hindered by natural disasters and wars. After 1945, Olecko underwent intensive reconstruction, and its industry and trade began to grow rapidly. Olecko is also a cultural hub, home to the Regional Cultural Center "Mazury Garbate," which organizes a variety of events, including the Przystanek Olecko festival. The town offers extensive educational infrastructure, with numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as cultural institutions such as libraries and a cinema. The local football club, Czarni Olecko, is active in the community, and residents enthusiastically engage in sports like karate and swimming. An interesting tidbit: the supposed record low temperature of -42.2°C has been debunked as a myth. Olecko also maintains partnerships with several European towns, fostering cultural exchange and international cooperation.