Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest castle in the world by surface area, a colossal Gothic brick fortress built by the Teutonic Knights from 1274 on the banks of the Nogat river in northern Poland, and the seat of their Grand Masters from 1309.

History

The Teutonic Knights — a German crusading military order — began constructing Malbork (Marienburg in German) in 1274 as their headquarters for the Christianisation of the Baltic region. By 1309 the Grand Master had relocated here from Venice, making it the capital of a theocratic state. The castle expanded through the 14th century into three interconnected fortresses covering 21 hectares. After the Thirteen Years’ War, Poland gained control in 1457. Severely damaged in World War II, a decades-long reconstruction returned it to its Gothic magnificence. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

What to See

The castle divides into the High Castle (the inner keep with the Grand Master’s Palace and chapel), the Middle Castle (residential quarters and refectories with stunning star-vaulted ceilings), and the Lower Castle (service buildings). The High Gate tower commands panoramic views of the river. The castle’s Amber Museum holds an outstanding collection of Baltic amber artefacts, including carved figures and jewellery. Summer son-et-lumière shows illuminate the river facade dramatically.

Getting There

Malbork is in Pomerania, northern Poland, 60 km south-east of Gdansk (Gdańsk). Direct trains from Gdańsk take approximately 30 minutes. From Warsaw, trains to Malbork take about 2.5 hours.

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