Olsztyn - Bazylika konkatedralna św. Jakuba

From 1230 to 1283 the Teutonic Order conquered the entire territory of the Slavic Prussians. In 1243 the bishop of Warmia received 1/3 of the territory of his diocese for his maintenance. The town was founded in 1353 under the name of Allensteyn by the chapter of the cathedral of Warmia on its territory. At that time, the castle was already under construction.

In 1454 the town joined the Prussian Confederation against the Teutonic Order. The townspeople captured the castle and recognized the sovereignty of the Polish king, but a year later the town was reconquered by the Teutonic Order. During the war the town was in flames several times. By the peace treaty in 1466, Olsztyn and the entire Duchy of Warmia came under Polish sovereignty.

For centuries the city was an important centre of trade, crafts, science and administration in the Warmia region.

The first church was probably built in the brick Gothic style between 1370 and 1380 after Allenstein had received its town charter in 1352.

In 1596, the old church tower was replaced by a new one (63m high).

In 1807, during the Napoleonic Wars, the French imprisoned 1500 Russian and Prussian prisoners inside, who resisted heavy frost by using the furniture as firewood.

In 1864 church was in danger of collapse and had to be closed. It was put into use after a general renovation in 1866 - 1868. In 1972, the church became con cathedral and in 1991 it was visited by Pope John Paul II, who elevated the church to basilica minor in 2004.