Castle in Lipienek, Medieval castle ruins in Lipienek, Poland

Castle in Lipienek is a ruined Teutonic commandery castle on a long peninsula jutting into a partly dried-up lake. Its regular four-winged main castle measured about 35 by 38.5–39.7 m, the smallest Teutonic keep in Chełmno Land, with two storeys, attic storage, surrounding galleries and a main tower about 7.7 m square in the north-east corner. East of it lay a walled outer bailey with a gate tower; only a vaulted Gothic cellar and remnants of the western stone wall survive.

A wooden-and-earth stronghold on this site was burned by the Prussians in 1277. The Teutonic Order then built a stone castle, probably between 1285 and 1325, and it served as the main seat of the commander of the Chełmno region until 1334. In 1291 the foundation charter for Grudziądz was issued here, and in 1330 Władysław Łokietek signed a truce at the castle after failing to take it.

The structure reflects architectural traditions of the Teutonic Order, with a regular layout typical of medieval military fortifications. The design follows principles used in order strongholds throughout this region.

Access to the castle ruins requires permission from the landowner, as the site sits on private property. Visitors should explore the grounds carefully, mindful of the fragile archaeological remains and the surrounding landscape.

The castle was the smallest Teutonic castle in the Chełmno Land, with a main square structure of about 35 by 38.5–39.7 metres. Its north-east corner held a main tower about 7.7 metres on each side. The outer bailey housed a barn, stable, coach house, forge, brewery and distillery.