Visiting Marienburg Castle in Poland
Marienburg
Castle is the ancient seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights.
It is situated in Malbork on the Nogat River, a branch of the Vistula
River, about 50 km (30 miles) from Gdansk and 250 km (155 miles) from
Warsaw. The Marienberg Castle is a classic example of a Gothic medieval
fortress, one of the best of its kind in Europe, and the largest brick
castle in the world. Together with a system of multiple defensive walls
with gates and towers, it covers over 32 ha (80 acres).
Built in 1276,
Marienburg Castle became the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic
Knights in 1309. Badly damaged during World War II, when it housed the
prisoner-of-war camp Stalag XXB, it has since been superbly restored. The
castle is divided into three major parts; the oldest section is the
rectangular High Castle with an arcaded courtyard containing a refectory,
chapterhouse, treasury and St Mary's Chapel. In the fourteenth century,
the old forecastle was converted into the Mid Castle, the Grand
Refectory, the Knights' Hall and the Palace of the Grand Master. The
Lower Castle held the armory and St Lawrence's Church.
The interior
houses several exhibitions, including a permanent exhibition detailing
the castle's history, together with collections of medieval sculpture,
stained-glass windows, coins and medals, weaponry, iron and foundry work,
pottery, tapestries and a priceless collection of amber art. In the
summer, son et lumiere spectacles are held in the castle
courtyards.
