Ostróda Castle, Medieval Teutonic castle in Ostróda, Poland
Ostróda Castle stands on a natural island in Lake Drwęckie with four wings arranged around a central courtyard. The three-story structure with deep cellars below creates a solid fortress layout that overlooks the water and surrounding land.
Construction started in 1349 when the Teutonic Order built it under Commander Günter von Hohenstein. The fortress transformed into an administrative center from 1525 onward and experienced occupation by French forces during the Napoleonic Wars.
The castle served as the administrative heart of the region for centuries and shaped how the city developed around it. Today people use its spaces for exhibitions and events that tell stories about local traditions and regional identity.
Two exhibition halls in the southern wing display regional history and local stories. The remaining sections house a public library and other municipal services that visitors can explore while touring the building.
In its early years this fortress was among the first Teutonic castles to be equipped with artillery, carrying six cannons. This early adoption of firearms made it one of the most advanced military installations of that era.
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