Malbork - the world's largest brick castle


Malbork is a town in northern Poland in the Żuławy region (Vistula delta). There is located an impressive Medieval castle. This biggest brick castle in the world and the largest castle of the Gothic period is one of Europe's most imposing fortresses - "the largest pile of bricks north to Alps".

The castle in Malbork was built by the Teutonic Order after the conquest of Old Prussia. The work was started in 1274 on the southeastern bank of the river Nogat. The fortress was named Castle of Mary - Marienburg in German. In 1309 the castle and the city became the capital city of Teutonic Order's state. High Castle surrounded by moats and walls and became the office of Grand Masters and the order's highest officials. Middle Castle become house of lower rank brothers and guests. There was also a Great Refectory infirmary for older and ill brothers. In 14th and 15th century was build third segment - Lower Castle - armory, granary, storehouse, as well as St. Lawrence chapel. All building were surrounded by walls, towers and moats and connected with defensive walls of the city.

In 1457, Marienburg (Malbork) was occupied by Polish army, and then in 1466 became part of Poland. In Prussian times (after first Poland partition) Malbork’s castle was significantly redevelop. In 1945 during World War II combat in the area, more than half the castle and 80% of city was destroyed. At the conclusion of the war, the city of Marienburg (Malbork) and castle became again a part of Poland. The castle has been mostly reconstructed.

The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress and, on its completion in 15th century, was the world's largest brick castle. Today Malbork Castle remains the largest brick building in Europe. UNESCO designated the "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork" and the Malbork Castle Museum a World Heritage Site in 1997. Malbork Castle is also one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments (Pomnik historii).





You might also like other articles about most beautiful Polish castles and palaces (click)
 Polish Castles & Palaces

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Comments

  1. Wow, that's some castle! I know lots about castles in Scotland, but not in continental Europe. This one is very impressive. And your pix are great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Piękne zdjęcia, gratuluję i pozdrawiam :)

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  3. What a castle! Wow! ~ Gorgeous photography!

    Happy Weekend,
    artmusedog and carol

    ReplyDelete
  4. stunning! Wonderful... absolutely gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  5. zamek zawsze robi wrażenie.., ładnie go skadrowałeś

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is a huge, impressive castle.

    ReplyDelete
  7. OH MY! That took tons of bricks to create. And it's a beauty too!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow - that is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Piękny...byłam tam jako małe dziecko i niewiele pamiętam. Mam nadzieję, że jeszcze będę miała okazję zobaczyć go na żywo :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. A very impressive building and very well preserved too!
    Thanks for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.

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  11. What a MAGNIFICENT building ang you phography is absolutely
    stunning, so much detail,
    Thank you for sharing your world with us I would love to visit
    Poland,,we would never know of these beautiful structuresis Denise
    hadn't devised ABCW>
    Best wishes,
    Di,
    ABCW team.

    ReplyDelete
  12. amazing.... i would love to visit it and see it all for my self

    Have a wonderful ABC-day / - week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
    http://melodymusic.nl/19m-5-okt/

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the colors, especially from a distance
    ROG, ABCW

    ReplyDelete
  14. Malbork ... jest naprawde warty zobaczenia . Ja swoja wycieczke odbylem przed dwoma laty wiele Lat przygotowan a jak juz tam bylem ...to nie umialem sie napaczyc
    Piekne miejsce
    Pozdrawiam ( Marius z www.czoczo.de )

    ReplyDelete
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