Treaty of Oliva
Oliwa, Gdańsk, Poland
What happened
Sweden, represented by Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie for the boy-king Charles XI, made peace with Poland–Lithuania, Emperor Leopold I and Brandenburg. The Second Northern War had been fought across the Baltic lands since 1655. At the monastery of Oliwa near Gdańsk, the king of Poland gave up his claim to the Swedish crown and recognised Swedish rule in Livonia and Riga. Brandenburg's rulers were confirmed as fully independent dukes of Prussia.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the Second Northern War and secured Sweden's power around the Baltic. It marks the high point of the Swedish Empire.
What came next
Peace treaties with Denmark (1660) and Russia (1661) followed.
Did you know?
Catholics in Livonia and Prussia were promised freedom of religion under the treaty.
Timeline
- 1655The Second Northern War begins.
- 3 May 1660The Treaty of Oliva is signed.
- 1660Treaty of Copenhagen.