Teutonic stronghold in Ostróda, Poland
Ostróda is a town in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in Poland. It lies in the west of the historic Masuria region on the River Drwęca, and on the banks of Lake Drwęckie (read more: Drwęca Lake in Ostróda ). The first Teutonic Order stronghold in the area comes from 1270. This was a wooden structure, located on a small island in between the waters of the Lake Drwęckie and the River Drwęca. The castle was hit by a fire during a Lithuanian raid in 1381. It had a rectangular ground plan, a court in its middle and a moat surrounding the monument. Its front wing containing the gateway was, just like two other side wings, the commander's domicile. Soon afterwards a new brick castle was built. During the wars of the Teutonic Order, this was a strategic site. The access point from the east of the castle was by a bridge, which led to a granite gate. The castle was surrounded by the village where served means for keeping storage, brewery and a forge. Getting ready for the new war...