Marienburg Castle

Capital of the Teutonic Knights
Rating 8110

1 january 2016Travel time: 14 september 2012
After the completion of the Crusades, chivalry remained idle. They were invited here as defenders and, as often happens, they wanted to stay here. They lingered for a century and a half, becoming the Teutonic chivalry.

Marienburg became the capital of the Teutonic Knights in 1309, when the residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order moved here. The beginning of the construction of the fortress dates back to 1275, and with the increase in status, it was expanded and strengthened. This is the largest brick fortress in terms of area. A significant garrison was stationed here. After the defeat of the Teutonic knights near Grunwald, they tried to capture the fortress, but they could not, however, in 1457 Marienburg was redeemed and already under the name Malbork passed into the possession of the Polish crown, for three centuries it became the residence of the Polish kings. In the 17th century, after the invasion of the Swedes, the castle fell into disrepair.

Now the castle houses a museum.
The exposition will tell about the heating system of the halls, the life of knights and severe monastic customs. They say that the Pope did not allow the knights to hire women under the age of 60 for servants, but the knights guessed to hire three twenty-year-old girls to replace one 60-year-old cook. Less popular is the story about the pilgrimage here of members of the Hitler Youth organization before the Second World War, when these lands belonged to Germany. Through the joint efforts of the Red Army and the Polish Army, the territory was liberated and returned to Poland under the Potsdam agreements. As a result of hostilities, the castle was destroyed. Now it is actually a remake, although according to old schemes and plans. The courtyard of the Middle Castle, where there is a good amber shop, is decorated with statues of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Order, museum valuables of the Middle Ages are collected in the halls, including a modest wooden throne and even a medieval toilet.
True, the people of that time were small by today's standards. This is how a Teutonic knight - a monk and our contemporary - look at each other through the centuries - such a normal man.
Translated automatically from Russian. View original

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