Malbork Castle © Malbork Castle Museum/L. Okoński
Malbork Castle
Malbork Castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress; it
is the world’s largest brick castle and one of the most
impressive of its kind in Europe. Invited by the Polish Royalty to
help suppress the pagan tribes in the area, the Teutonic Knights
built the immense castle in 1276 and slowly began to establish
themselves as fearsome rulers, taking control of most of northern
Poland until, after several unsuccessful attempts to rid the
country of the Knights, they were defeated at the Battle of
Grunwald in 1410. In medieval times the belief that the bigger
the fortress the more powerful those within was clearly portrayed
in the building of this immense brick stronghold, incorporating a
system of multiple defence walls with gates and towers. The inner
castle includes arcaded courtyards, chapels, a treasury, the
Knights’ Hall and an armoury. The interiors house several
exhibitions, including displays on the castle’s history, and
collections of tapestries, coins and medals, medieval sculptures,
and weapons. During summer the courtyard is a venue for sound and
light shows.
Address: Ul. Staroscinska 1;
Telephone: (0)55 647 0800;
E-mail: info@zamek.malbork.pl;
Website: www.zamek.malbork.pl;
Transport: 31 miles (50km) from Gdańsk by train or bus;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 7pm from May to September, 10am to 3pm from October to April;
Admission: 25 zl (adults), concessions 15 zl. Entry to tower is 6 zl
