Burg Tapiau, Medieval fortress in Gvardeysk, Russia.
Burg Tapiau is a medieval stone castle in Gvardeysk, in the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia, built where the Deime River branches off from the Pregel River. The northwest wing and the vaulted cellars date from the original construction and are still standing today.
The Teutonic Knights built a wooden fortification on this site in 1265, which was replaced by a stone structure in 1351 under Grand Master Siegfried von Danenfeld. That rebuilding turned the site into a permanent stronghold in the southeastern part of Samland.
The interior of the castle still has star vaults and animal head carvings on the console sections of the main floor, details that closely resemble the style of other Teutonic Order buildings in the region. Visitors viewing the exterior can still spot traces of this decorative work on the visible facade sections.
The building currently operates as a correctional facility, so visitors cannot enter and can only view it from the street. It is worth walking around the perimeter to see the exterior from different angles, and you should stay clear of the institution's restricted areas.
In 1474, Bishop Dietrich von Cuba died inside the castle under circumstances that were never fully explained, while the castle was serving as the administrative center of the Grand Commandery. His death remains one of the unresolved episodes in the local history of the region.
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