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Malbork Castle
By peace | June 5, 2007
A well-preserved huge red brick medieval gothic castle and a museum.
Malbork Castle (German: Ordensburg Marienburg) is the largest brick building in Europe and one of the greatest tourist attractions in Poland. Malbork castle is located in a small township of Malbork in the northern part of Poland, about 30 miles south-east of Gdansk. Malbork Castle was built by the Teutonic Order as an Ordensburg and named Marienburg (literally “Mary’s Castle”). The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg, now called Malbork.
The Castle in Malbork is a classic example of a medieval fortress; it is the world’s largest brick castle and one of the most impressive of its kind in Europe. The construction of Malbork Castle started in 1274. Since then it was continually build and enlarged, until 1420. From 14 September 1309 till 1457 it was the capitol of Teutonic Knights. From 1457 till 1772 Malbork was part of Polish Royal Prussia. After the first partition of Poland in 1772 till 1945 it was part of German West Prussia. Since 1945 its been again Polish. The castle and its museum are listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, being added to the register in December 1997.
Teutonic Knights Castle in Malbork
Malbork Castle, the Malbork Castle of Teutonic Knights, is the most impressive castle of the Northern Europe. The castle, as a defensive structure, has high walls, inner moats, draw gates, portcullis, and other features meant to keep out the enemies. It was 50% destroyed in WW II, but we saw no sign that any damage remains. Saint Mary’s church (in the castle) was completely destroyed in the war and was rebuilt by 1965.
Much of the castle was surrounded by a moat and defensive walls.
Getting There: There are regular trains and buses from Gdansk to Malbork.
Opening hours:
High season (from 15 of April to 15 of September): Castle Museum is open 9.00–20.00. The exhibition rooms and the castle interiors close one hour earlier (at 19.00). The box-office is opened from 8.30–19.30.
Low season (from 16 of September to 14 of April): Castle Museum is open 10.00-17.00. Exhibits and interiors will be open 10.00-15.00.
Closed: Mondays, 25th of December 1st of January and selected public holidays.
Facilities and Attractions: Conference Centre ‘Karwan’, music concerts, knights tournaments.
Topics: All Posts, Castles, Medieval |
