From 7 to 9 August 2026 the historic 19th-century fortress in Giżycko fills once again with gunfire, the clatter of weapons and the din of soldiers' life. Operation Boyen is one of the most important and most spectacular re-enactment events in this part of Europe. It culminates in the staged battle "The Fight for the Boyen Fortress" on Saturday 8 August at 18:00. Giżycko is 22 km from Poza Zgiełkiem.
Encampments and history at close range
Across the broad grounds of the Boyen Fortress, historical military encampments are set up where you can look closely at the daily life of period soldiers: uniforms, equipment, old military customs, and how camp cooking or kit repair actually worked. The re-enactors are happy to answer questions and show their gear – for children this is usually the best part of the whole event, because they can handle things that sit behind glass in a museum. The organisers combine education with family entertainment, so the programme also has displays and side attractions spread across the three days.
"The Fight for the Boyen Fortress" – Saturday 8 August, 18:00
The main and most anticipated element of the three-day festival is the staged battle. Several hundred experienced re-enactors from Poland and abroad take part, along with mounted cavalry and authentic period military equipment, rounded out by carefully worked pyrotechnics. The scale and the setting do the rest: the staging plays out within the walls of a real 19th-century fortress that was never captured, so the smoke, the noise and the movement of troops have a backdrop no purpose-built set could provide.
That August weekend – what else is on 7–9 August
That weekend is exceptionally busy in Masuria. In parallel, also on 7–9 August, Ryn hosts the "Masuria" Festival of Medieval Culture with knightly tournaments – we cover both together in August 2026 in Masuria. On the same days, 7 and 8 August, Gołdap has the Jazz on All the Lakes festival. If you would rather see the Boyen Fortress quietly, outside the re-enactment, take one of the free guided walks that run all summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
A tip
Arrive well before the Saturday 18:00 staging – the best spots are taken long in advance. The display includes pyrotechnics, so warn small children about the noise beforehand, and leave the dog at home.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Lech Darski / CC BY-SA 3.0
