World Heritage Photos

The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is also known as Malbork Castle. Malbork Castle is located in the north part of Poland about 60 km from Gdańsk and about 312 km northwest of Warschaw. Malbork Castle is a fortified monastery, it was founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. The castle was built to defend the lands of the Teutonic Order, also kwown as German Order. In the beginning of the 14th century, the headquartes of Teutonic Order moved from Venice to Malbork. At the time of its completion in 1406, Malbork Castle was the largest brick building in the world. Nowadays, Malbork Castle is the largest Medieval castle in Europe. The Teutonic Knights named the castle Marienburg, literally Mary's Castle. Malbork Castle was severely damaged during WWII. After the war, the town of Malbork and Malbork Castle became part of Poland. Malbork Castle was restored and reconstructed. The Malbork Castle Museum houses permanent exhibitions, such as collections of Medieval stained glass, coins, tapestries, pottery, weaponry and large collections of priceless amber. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1997.

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1. 

   The dry moat between the High Castle and Middle Castle of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. Malbork Castle is a fortified monastery, it was founded by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. At the time of its completion in the 15th century, Malbork Castle was the largest brick building in the world. Nowadays, Malbork Castle is the largest castle in Europe. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1997.

2. 

   The portcullis over the gateway of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, the Middle Castle was defended by a multiple gate and this enormous portcullis. The Teutonic Order commanded more than 120 castles in the northern and eastern part of Europe. Malbork Castle is a former fortified monastery. Malbork Castle was the largest castle of the Teutonic Knights and became their headquarters in the 14th century.

3. 

   The life-size statues of the Grand Masters in front of Malbork Castle. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was built in a strategic position on the banks of the Nogat River, the castle was built to defend the lands of the Teutonic Order. The men of the Teutonic Order lived as monks, but fought as knights. In the beginning of the 14th century, the headquarters of Teutonic Order moved from Venice to Malbork, in this period, the castle was expanded.

4. 

   The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is a former fortified monastery on the banks of the Nogat River, the castle is situated in Malbork, a town in the northern part of Poland, some 60 km southeast of Gdańsk. Malbork Castle was founded by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in 1274. Malbork Castle is the largest brick castle in Europe and one of the largest castles in the world. The construction lasted nearly 230 years.

5. 

   A heraldic pelican adorns the top of the well of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. The castle well is situated in the courtyard of Malbork Castle, it was built to ensure a regular water supply inside the castle, important in case of a siege. During the Baltic Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries, men from all over Europe joined the knights of the Teutonic Order to convert the pagans around the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea to Christianity.

6. 

   The tympanum over the north portal of the Chapel of St. Anne of Malbork Castle, there are two entrances into the Chapel of St. Anne. Both portals are lavishly decorated, just like the Golden Gate of the church of Malbork Castle. The decoration of the typanums depict scenes of the life of the Virgin and the Finding of the True Cross. The Chapel of St. Anne is the burial place of the Grand Masters of Malbork Castle.

7. 

   The Chapel of St. Anne and the tombs of the Grand Masters of Malbork Castle. The Chapel of St. Anne is situated in the Upper Castle. The chapel was consecrated in 1344. The original name of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was the Marienburg, Mary's Castle, in honour of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the Teutonic Order. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

8. 

   The Castle Mill of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. The Malbork Castle Mill is situated in the garden of the High Castle. Malbork Castle also housed a brewery, stables and many other service buildings. The castles of the Teutonic Order were suitable to store food supplies for two years under siege. The Malbork Castle Mill is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

9. 

   Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork: A room decorated with Dutch Delft Blue Tiles. After the Thirteen Years' War (1454 - 1466), Malbork Castle fell into Polish hands. The castle served as one of the many Polish Royal residences until 1772. During WWII, a large part of Malbork Castle was destroyed. In 1959, a fire caused further damage. The restoration of Malbork Castle started in 1962 and was completed in 2016.

10. 

    The winter refectory of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. Malbork Castle has also a summer refectory. Malbork Castle was occupied by the Prussian army in 1772 and transformed into a garrison and rebuilt for the needs of the troops, the refectory was converted into a riding arena to drill horses, the tiled floor was dismantled and the medieval windows were bricked up. The restoration of Malbork Castle started in the 19th century, but it was damaged again in WWII.

11. 

    The reconstruction of the Church of Our Lady of Malbork Castle. Malbork Castle fell into despair in the 18th century, it was restored in the 19th century. During WWII, Malbork Castle was heavily damaged. About 80% of the town of Malbork and about 50% of the castle were destroyed. After WWII, it took several decades to restore Malbork Castle to its former glory. The restoration was completed in 2016.

12. 

    One of the medieval stained glass windows of the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork. The Malbork Castle Museum houses several permanent exhibitions, such as collections of medieval stained glass, weaponry, coins, pottery, tapestries, Dutch Delft Blue tiles (in Dutch: Delfts blauw) and large collections of priceless amber ornaments. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is one of the Seven Wonders of Poland.