The Teutonic Order Castle in Malbork, northern Poland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracts with its attractive history and architecture.
A lovely walk past the cottages through the Polish countryside takes you to the imposing red brick castle of Malbork, majestically located on the banks of the Nogat River. As one of the many castles built by the Teutonic Knights in northern Poland, this thirteenth-century architectural marvel now shines thanks to conservation efforts and painstaking restoration. UNESCO granted the fortified monastery the prestige of a World Heritage Site in 1997 for its ancestral importance and universal value.
Spanning 52 acres, the castle consists of an upper castle, a middle castle and a low castle, surrounded by 3 rings of defensive walls and moats. A stroll across the main drawbridge and through the heavy open iron gates shows the giant courtyard in the middle of the castle, where an oak slab and red brick walls covered with castle vines welcome visitors.
Although there is no record of the number of bricks used to complete this masterpiece, it is estimated that seven to 30 million bricks made nearby resulted in the creation of Marienburg (Mary’s Fortress), the castle’s namesake.
History of the Teutonic Courts
Teutonic Knights
Formed in the thirteenth century through German army priests protecting Christians in the Holy Land and the Baltic, and crusaders opposed to pagans, the Teutonic Order of men was at its peak when it was stationed in Malbork. The knights took vows of chastity and poverty, yet he accumulated wonderful wealth and possessions. The castle remained the seat of the order for 150 years, until it was captured by the Polish army in 1457 in the Thirteen Years’ War.
It was then occupied by Polish kings and subsequently by Swedish, Prussian and Napoleonic forces over the following centuries. After that, it came under the cover of Polish rule in the nineteenth century, having been enlarged and redecorated several times. The Teutonic empires still exist today. Based in Vienna, they are no longer an all-male order and have interaction in charity work.
Restoration of the castle
Malbork Castle with a symbol appearing destruction World War II
Because the castle is related to Germany and German heritage, the Poles were not very interested in saving the castle from ruin after the departure of the Teutonic Empire. In the midst of romanticism in nineteenth-century Europe, an organization of Berlin artists visited Malbork and decided to help maintain it. Using detailed documentation created with great care by previous curators, the castle was rebuilt after being nearly destroyed in World War II and looks the same as it looked centuries ago. In 1961, the museum was established and the castle complex was opened to the public.
Visit of the castle
Gothic Hall of Malbork Castle, Poland. UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Palace of the Grand Masters, on the right side of the front of the Middle Castle, faces the river and features a vaulted roof of palm trees, a Roman heating formula and ornamental walls. It served as the home of politicians and non-secularists. Leader of the fortress, where he won guests. Topped by a magnificent fan vault, the Grand Réfectory, the castle’s largest dining room, is also located in the Middle Castle, with an infirmary.
Gothic Corridors in Malbork
On the other side of the courtyard, you’ll find a museum that exhibits a collection of weapons, artifacts, and amber from the period; The domain is known for this tree resin and contributed greatly to the economic well-being of knights in its heyday. The castle was built in part with the help of the amber trade, donations and land grants. There are also two large souvenir stores promoting amber and medieval badges.
Malgorzata Symons, an American expat living in Warsaw, recently visited Malbork with her husband and children one day from Gdańsk. He enjoyed the giant room, saw the old heating formula and exclusive door locks. “My three-year-old really enjoyed the ballrooms and imagined the parties there. My one-year-old son enjoyed the open spaces where he could explore,” she shared.
Children Malbork Castle
On some other drawbridge you will reach the oldest component of the castle: High Castle, the quadrilateral monastic domain that once housed 50 or 60 knights. A tall tower and two floors of cloistered brick buildings surround a courtyard with a reconstructed pit with a pelican bronze and its chicks on top. The pelican, symbol of Jesus, was destined in ancient Europe to tear its chest with its beak to feed its young in times of famine (although birds do not actually do this).
High castle
The maximum striking element of the castle, the church of Santa Maria, is accessed through a Gothic door. The church suffered severe damage during the war and visitors can glimpse recovery (bricks of other colors) and the weather-ravaged bare brick and a strong fire. The Black Cross, symbol of the order, guards the interior of a glass enclosure. The chapel of Santa Ana, where 12 Grand Masters are buried, is located under the church of the Virgin Mary. The bakery and kitchen of the maritime castle to the Teutonic era, with the types of pots used and the prepared dishes.
Photo of the old church Malbork Castle, Poland
“Malbork Castle has its demanding situations when visiting a one- and three-year-old, but even our young people can feel the vastness of the castle, the richness of its history and the stunning grandeur of the terrain,” Symons explained.
Unique features
Underfloor heating system
In the Grand Master’s Palace and other guest areas, you’ll notice an attractive formula where heat emanates from a hypocaust, an area under the floor used to send hot air through the vents. This Roman invention was widely used in the castles of the Middle Ages.
An exclusive feature first developed at Malbork Castle is the Dansker, a latrine tower connected via a walkway to the castle that facilitated bathing. In the corridors, small Gothic figures point the way to the nearest bathroom.
How to get to Malbork Castle
Aerial view of Malbork Teutonic Castle
There are two ways to get to Malbork Castle. One is via a cruise excursion. The Viking Homelands cruise ship visits ports along the Baltic coast, adding Gdańsk in Poland, where visitors can take a coach to the countryside for an excursion to Malbork Castle with a local guide. Another is the Pendolino high-speed train, from Gdansk, Glowny or Warsaw Stations.
Once there, you can take a self-guided audio tour with GPS. Symons enjoyed this with her children. ” Overall, I miss the history of the sites for not doing the audio tour. Most audio excursions tend to be too complicated. to enjoy while having to gather the kids, however, the Malbork GPS-guided audio tour simplified modifying the tour to suit our needs. “
Admire the door handles of Malbork Castle
Spend two to three hours touring its impressive corridors and gothic corridors. You can leave your bulky belongings in the price ticket lockers. It also has bathrooms and refreshments.