St. Mary's Castle Church, Medieval church inside Malbork Castle, Poland
St. Mary's Castle Church is a brick church located within the northern section of Malbork Castle, featuring a polygonal chancel and distinctive Gothic architectural details. The building occupies a prominent space within the fortress and blends religious architecture with medieval defensive design.
The structure was built in the early 13th century but underwent major expansion in 1309 when Malbork became the seat of the Teutonic Knights. This transformation established the building as a religious and administrative center for the order.
The church displays Gothic elements that shaped how people worshipped and celebrated here over the centuries. Its interior reflects how the knights expressed their faith and what artworks held meaning for them.
Visits are typically only available as part of the Malbork Castle Museum, so plan to explore the entire grounds and wear sturdy footwear. Access depends on museum opening hours, which may change seasonally.
Inside stands a roughly 4-meter-tall statue of Mary with Child made from artificial stone, created around 1340 and decorated with Venetian mosaic work. This artwork represents a blend of local craftsmanship and Southern European artistic influence.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.