- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1270 · 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
- Style
- Gothic architecture
- Heritage
- UNESCO World Heritage List
- Coordinates
- 54.0397°, 19.0278°
History
The Teutonic Order began building on the Nogat in the late 13th century, and in 1309 the Grand Master moved the order's headquarters here from Venice. The fortress grew into three linked sections known as the High, Middle and Lower Castles. After the Battle of Grunwald in 1410 the knights, led by Heinrich von Plauen, held out against a Polish siege, but during the Thirteen Years' War in 1457 unpaid mercenaries sold the stronghold to the Polish king. Malbork then served as a royal residence for over three centuries before passing to Prussia in the First Partition, which carried out a large restoration in the 19th century. Badly damaged in 1945, it was painstakingly rebuilt and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
What to see
Visitors pass through the High Castle with the Church of the Virgin Mary, whose huge restored statue of the Madonna once again looks out from the façade, and the Middle Castle with the Grand Masters' Palace and the vast Great Refectory. Look out for the palm-like rib vaults, the cloisters and the medieval latrine tower known as the Gdanisko. The museum displays include a fine amber collection and historic arms, and the opposite bank of the Nogat offers the classic view of the whole complex.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q71279
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