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 castle was named Marienburg after Mary, patron saint of the Teutonic Order. The High Castle church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was extended eastward, and the burial chapel of St. Anne was placed beneath it for the Grand Masters. The refectories and chapels show how the knights combined worship with communal meals.
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 castle covers about 21 hectares, roughly four times the enclosed area of Windsor Castle, and at its completion in 1406 it was the world's largest brick castle. Around 3,000 brothers in arms were once housed within its walls.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,303 contributors worldwide.
