Malbork Castle, Medieval fortress in Malbork, Poland
Malbork Castle is a medieval brick fortress on the Nogat River in the town of Malbork, northern Poland. The complex consists of three interconnected sections marked by towers, courtyards, and tall fortified walls.
The Teutonic Order began building the fortress in 1274 as the seat of its Grand Master and expanded it over more than a century. After the Thirteen Years' War, the complex came under Polish rule in 1457 and later served different military purposes.
The name comes from the German Marienburg, honoring the Virgin Mary who was central to the Teutonic Order's devotion. Visitors can still see the chapels and refectories that reflect the monastic life the knights led within these walls.
Walking through the different levels takes several hours and requires climbing stairs in the towers. On hot summer days, the courtyards offer shaded spots for rest.
The entire complex was reconstructed from the ground up after heavy damage during World War II. Much of the brickwork visible today dates from the postwar rebuilding effort.
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