In Poland is the largest fortress in Europe, built in the Gothic style. It is located in the city with the same name and a rather rich historical past. It represents the former ancient capital of the Teutonic Order. This amazingly attractive castle is called Malbork; it is listed by UNESCO.
What is the name of this huge castle: Malbork or Marienburg? Is it in Poland or Germany? What can be seen in him and in his environment? The article contains a description of the city and its main attractions.
Brief historical information
Another variant of the name, German, was assigned to Malbork - Marienburg, since the ancient castle once served as the capital of the German (Teutonic) Order.
Malbork is a castle whose history began seven centuries ago when the Prince of Poland, Konrad Mazowiecki, turned to the Teutonic Knights for help. They were supposed to protect the Polish lands from the attacks of the Prussian pagan tribes and force the enemies to be baptized. The pope was blessed on this crusade against Prussia, in connection with which he issued a decree ("Golden Bull"), which gives freedom of action to knights in the Baltic states.
Although the lands conquered by the Teutonic Knights passed under the patronage of the throne of the pope, the knights felt themselves to be full-fledged masters in these places. They took control of the entire Baltic coast, settled in the territories they conquered, and brutally suppressed all manifestations of paganism. As a result, a people with a long history (Prussians) was almost completely exterminated. On the conquered lands of Poland, the knights built their border fortresses.
The Teutonic Knights in 1274 laid the foundation of the castle described. Then he received the name Marienburg in honor of the Virgin Mary. In just a few years, a 4-storey building with numerous barracks intended for knights grew over the slopes of the coast of the Nogat River, and since 1280 the Knights' Convention has settled in it.
Before we describe Malbork Castle in more detail, we will briefly introduce the city in which this remarkable historical site is located.
City Malbork
This is a small old town located in northern Poland, in the delta of the river. Wisla. It is located 130 km from the city of Torun and 70 km from the city of Gdansk, near the border with the Kaliningrad region. Its German name is Marienburg. Malbork is famous primarily due to the famous historical castle of Marienburg.
Despite the provincial nature of the city and its relatively small size, it attracts a lot of tourists here due to its rich centuries-old history and unique atmosphere of chivalry. The city itself is cozy and attractive. Here you can stay for the night and just stop by for one day to walk around the territory of the fortress and explore the Malbork Castle, which is located almost in the center of the city. Near the castle there is a good paid parking lot, near which there is a ticket office where tickets are sold for visiting the fortress.
Fortress Museum
In the years 1454-1466 between the Teutons and the Poles a long Thirteen-year war was waged. Poland won it, as a result of which it returned part of its previously captured lands, thanks to which it got access to the Baltic. Marienburg Castle in 1457 was sold to Casimir IV Jagiellon (Polish monarch) for gold (665 kg), and since then the king’s administration has been housed here.
The Prussians who came to power in 1772 converted the castle into a military depot. The fortress was pretty badly destroyed in 1945 (more than in all the previous 7 centuries). After World War II, the entire structure was rebuilt. Today, Malbork Castle in Poland is a powerful brick wall with pointed towers, reflected in the waters of the Nogat River.
A museum has been opened in the ramparts, representing a rich collection of amber armor, weapons and jewelry. Often, craft fairs, concerts and fascinating theatrical performances are staged in the castle, staging the capture of Malbork.
Description
Malbork - the castle, which is the largest brick structure created by the hands of people. It occupies an area of about 21 hectares. Its towers are designed and built with special devices for the convenience of firing firearms.
This complex is considered the most interesting and popular object in the city for tourists to visit. His unique greatness amazes absolutely everyone. The huge Malbork complex consists of 3 castles: Middle, Upper and Lower. The most popular is the Upper Castle, which is a monastery where knight monks live. Surrounded by defensive walls on all sides, the castle is located on the banks of the river. Deep ditches were dug nearby.
Interesting objects on the territory are the chapel of St. Anne (the burial place of the great masters) and the church of St. Mary. Malbork Medium Castle was built on the site of the former Upper Courtyard. It once housed the political and administrative center of the Teutonic Order, which brought together knights from all over Europe. Today it houses premises for Polish governors and officials.
Also striking in its unique beauty is the Great Refectory, which has magnificent openwork architecture, with beautiful arched vaults. There is also a hospital for the elderly and sick knight monks. The lower castle (or Prezamok) is intended mainly for household needs.
The famous Armory exhibits military carts and cannons. Also in the castle there is a foundry, forges, a brewery and stables.
Exhibits telling about the life of people in the past
Malbork Castle is rich in numerous quite interesting exhibits. Tourists who come here on an excursion can see the buildings of the fortress themselves and galleries with interesting collections. Usually the entire official part of a group tour takes four hours. Tourists are introduced to the rich history of Malbork Castle.
Here you can see firsthand how ancient coins were made in those days. Sightseers see a man in medieval clothing minting coins before their eyes. Here you can buy wonderful souvenirs for little money - bags of coins.
The halls (chambers) of the great masters also present an amazing shocking spectacle: the cannonball core, walled into the wall, flown into the castle during the hostilities (at this time the military council met here). The most interesting thing is that if the core fell into the column (the lock is held on it), the consequences would be deplorable. Unforgettable impressions are also made by beautiful theatrical performances: “By Fire and Sword”, “Light and Sound”, “Deposition of Malbork”. The most spectacular is the latter.
How to get to the museum?
It’s easy to get to the Malbork Museum in Poland. From the station of the city of Malbork, walk to it for about 15 minutes. At the same time, at any kiosk along the way, you can take a booklet with all the necessary information for a tourist for free, and you can also buy a convenient Russian-language guide to Malbork, which will help you walk around the castle on your own, without a guide. Many people take this opportunity due to the fact that, as noted above, a standard group tour lasts about 4 hours.
Tickets are sold at the entrance to the museum complex. Any tourist can get to Malbork Castle (Poland). Ticket price is approximately 10 euros. It should be noted that for the family there are special tickets that are much cheaper than if you take separately for each member.
The castle is open for visitors throughout the year: from October 1 to April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from May 1 to September 30 it works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Excursion times sometimes change. It should be noted that displays in Russian are not held here.
Interesting fact
It is curious that the very Teutonic people, in connection with the fact that they were preachers of the cult of the Virgin Mary, kept vows of obedience and chastity, respectively, although sometimes they circumvented these prohibitions.
Once, a cook was required to work in the castle, and then the knights turned to the pope for permission. He, in turn, gave the go-ahead, but on the condition that they take a woman at least 60 years old into the fortress. The Germans, on reflection, hired 3 cooks, each of whom was only 20 years old.
Malbork - ghost castle
There are many legends associated with the castle. It is believed that a ghost of a woman lives in the monastery. According to conversations, this is the spirit of the Polish princess. She wanted to save her husband, captured by the knights. Having changed into the nun’s clothes, she successfully entered the castle, but the careless woman was quickly exposed, and in punishment she was walled up alive in the wall.
Since then, her sad ghost has wandered through the halls of the castle in search of her beloved. It is believed that one who sees the ghostly princess can become happy in love. You should not be afraid of her.
