Misplaced Pages

Malbork Castle: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 00:48, 12 January 2009 edit77.253.65.201 (talk) Castle lies in Malbork not in ''Marienburg now Malbork''← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:51, 27 November 2024 edit undoPko (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users546 edits →Gallery 
(530 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Teutonic castle in Poland}}
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
| WHS = Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork
{{Infobox historic site
| Image = ]
| name = Malbork Castle
| State Party = {{POL}}
| other_name = {{nowrap|{{big|{{native name|pl|Zamek w Malborku}}}}}}
| Type = Cultural
| image = Zespół Zamku Krzyżackiego MALBORK 01.jpg
| Criteria = ii, iii, iv
| ID = 847 | image_size = 280px
| caption = Malbork Castle from across the Nogat
| Region = ]
| location = ], Poland
| Year = 1997
| coordinates = {{coord|54|02|23|N|19|01|40|E|region:PL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| Session = 21st
| locmapin = Poland#Poland Pomeranian Voivodeship
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/847
| built = 13th century
| architect =
| architecture =
| area =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body =
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_date = 1997 <small>(21st ])</small>
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_criteria = ii, iii, iv
| designation1_number =
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = ]
| designation1_offname = Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork
| designation2 = Historic Monument of Poland
| designation2_date = 1994-09-08
| designation2_number = M.P. z 1994 r. Nr 50, poz. 420<ref name=ph>{{Cite Polish law|title=Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii.|gazette=Monitor|year=1994|volume=50|number=420}}</ref>
}} }}
The '''Marienburg Castle in Malbork''' ({{lang-de|Ordensburg Marienburg}}, {{lang-pl|Zamek w Malborku}}) was built by the ] as an ]. It was named ], literally "Mary's Castle". The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg, but since 1945 it is part of Poland, as ].


The '''Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork''',<ref name="unesco"/> commonly known as '''Malbork Castle''' ({{langx|pl|Zamek w Malborku}}; {{langx|de|Ordensburg Marienburg}}), is a ] ] complex located in the town of ], ], built in 13th and significantly expanded in 14th century. It is the largest castle in the world measured by land area and a ].<ref name="touropia"/>
The ] is a classic example of a medieval ]; it is the world’s largest ] castle and one of the most impressive of its kind in Europe. The castle and its museum are listed as ]'s ], being added to the register in December 1997 as ''Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork'', as one of two sites in the region which owes its origins to the Teutonic Order, the ''Medieval Town of Toruń'' being the other, founded in 1231 as the site of their castle ] (Toruń).

It was constructed by the ], a German ] of ], in the form of an '']'' fortress and named ''Marienburg'' in honour of ]. In 1457, during the ], the castle was sold by ]n mercenaries to King ] of Poland in lieu of ]. It then served as one of several ] residences and the seat of Polish offices and institutions, interrupted by several years of ] occupation, fulfilling this function until the ] in 1772. From then on, the castle was under ] rule for over 170 years until 1945, albeit largely falling into disrepair as military technological advances rendered the castle a mere historical point of interest.

The construction period is a point of debate, but most historians generally accept the 132 years between 1274 and 1406 as the construction time. The castle is a classic example of a medieval ] and, upon its completion in 1406, was the world's largest brick castle.<ref name="emery"/>

] designated the "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork" and the Malbork Castle Museum a ] in December 1997.<ref name="unesco847"/> It is one of two World Heritage Sites in the region (north-central Poland), together with the "Medieval Town of ]", which was founded in 1231. Malbork Castle is also one of Poland's official national ] ('']''), as designated on 8 September 1994.<ref name=ph/> Its listing is maintained by the ].


==History== ==History==
===Origins===
]


The castle was built by the ] after the ]. Its main purpose was to strengthen their own control of the area following the Order's 1274 suppression of the ] of the ]. No contemporary documents survive relating to its construction, so instead the castle's phases have been worked out through the study of architecture and the Order's administrative records and later histories. The work lasted until around 1300, under the auspices of Commander ].<ref name="Emery143"/> The castle is located on the southeastern bank of the river ]. It was named ''Marienburg'' after Mary, patron saint of the religious Order.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} The Order had been created in ] (present-day Israel). When this last stronghold of the ] fell to Muslim Arabs, the Order moved its headquarters to ] before arriving in Prussia.
=== Medieval times ===
]]]
]


Malbork became more important in the aftermath of the Teutonic Knights' conquest of ] (Danzig) and ] in 1308. The Order's administrative centre was moved to Marienburg from Elbing (now ]). The ], ], who arrived in Marienburg from Venice, undertook the next phase of the fortress' construction.<ref name=Emery143/> In 1309, in the wake of the ] persecution of the ] and the ], Feuchtwangen relocated his headquarters to the ]n part of the Order's ]. He chose the site of Marienburg conveniently located on the Nogat in the ] Delta. As with most cities of the time, the new centre was dependent on water for transportation.
The castle was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1274 on the Southeastern bank of the river ], and named ''Marienburg'' after the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Order.


]
The Order had been based in ], but when this last stronghold of the Crusades fell, the Order had to move its headquarters to ]. In 1309, in the wake of both the papal persecution of the ] as well as the ], the Order under ] moved its headquarters into ]n part of their ]. They chose the Marienburg, conveniently located at the Nogat, in the ] Delta, which allows access by ship.


The castle was expanded several time to host the growing number of Knights, and became the largest fortified Gothic building in Europe, featuring several sections and walls. It comprises three separate sections- the High, Middle and Low Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. The castle once housed approximately 3,000 "brothers in arms", and the outermost castle walls enclose 52 acres (210,000 m²), four times larger than the enclosed space of ]. The castle was expanded several times to house the growing number of Knights. Soon, it became the largest fortified Gothic building in Europe,<ref name="books363"/> on a nearly {{Convert|52|acre|ha|adj=on|order=flip}} site. The castle has several subdivisions and numerous layers of defensive walls. It consists of three separate castles{{snd}}the High, Middle and Lower Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://podroze.onet.pl/ciekawe/zamek-malbork-historia-wnetrza-zwiedzanie-ciekawostki/gbn5se|title=Zamek Malbork{{snd}}historia, wnętrza, zwiedzanie, ciekawostki|lang=pl|date=21 June 2016|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> The castle once housed approximately 3,000 "brothers in arms". The outermost castle walls enclose {{convert|52|acres|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}, four times the enclosed area of ]. The developed part of the property designated as a World Heritage Site is {{Convert|18.038|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="unesco1"/>


The favourable position of the castle on the river Nogat and its relatively flat surrounding allowed for easy access by barges and trading ships, from the ] and the ]. During their governance, the Teutonic Knights collected river tolls on passing ships, as did other castles along the rivers, imposing a monopoly on the trade of ]. When the city became a member of the ], many Hanseatic meetings were held at the Marienburg. The favourable position of the castle on the river Nogat allowed easy access by barges and trading ships arriving from the ] and the ]. During their governance, the Teutonic Knights collected river tolls from passing ships, as did other castles along the rivers. They controlled a monopoly on the trade of ]. When the city became a member of the ], many Hanseatic meetings were held there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pastinthepresent.net/2017/07/13/bearing-witness-to-a-brighter-moment-in-polands-history-visiting-malbork-castle/|title=Bearing witness to a brighter moment in Poland's history: Visiting Malbork Castle|date=13 July 2017|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>


]
In summer of 1410, the castle was besieged following defeat at the ], but ] successfully led the defense of the castle during the ] during which the city itself was razed.


In 1361, the future Grand Duke of ] ] was briefly imprisoned in the castle.<ref name=VM>{{cite web|url=http://visitmalbork.pl/415,HISTORIA.html|title=Historia|website=Visit Malbork|access-date=15 November 2019|language=pl}}</ref> In 1365, Polish King ] visited the castle.
In 1456, during the ] started by a rebellion of the cities organized as ]. The Order, deserted and opposed by many of its taxpayers, could not pay its mercenary troops after two years of warfare. Hochmeister ] moved the seat of the Order to Königsberg, and handed over possession of the castle to the soldiers from Bohemia, as a substitute for their wages. The mercenaries left after having sold the castle to King ] of Poland, who thus acquired the castle neither he nor his predecessor could conquer by force. He entered the castle triumphantly in 1457 without opposition.


In the summer of 1410, the castle was besieged following the Order's defeat by the armies of ] and ] (Witold) at the ]. ] successfully led the defence in the ], during which the city outside was razed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://battle-castle.tv/malbork-castle/|title=Malbork Castle{{snd}}Battle Castle|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>
Under mayor Bartholomäus Blume, the city resisted the Polish onslaught for an additional three years, until he himself was captured and hanged in 1460. A monument to him was erected in 1864<ref>Matthias Weber:Preussen in Ostmitteleuropa: Geschehensgeschichte und Verstehensgeschichte, 2003 </ref>. Castle and town became part of the province of ] in 1466, and served as one of the several Polish royal residences. During the ], in 1626 and 1629, Swedes occupied the castle, and again from 1656 to 1660 in '']'' during the ].


In 1456, during the ], the Order – facing opposition from its cities for raising taxes to pay ransoms for expenses associated with its wars against ] – could no longer manage financially. Meanwhile, Polish General ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.robson-ny.com/Poland-Berlin%202017/Poland/Malbork/Malbork%20Castle/slides/P1100615.html|title = Ken Robson Home}}</ref> raised funds from Danzig for a new campaign against them. Learning that the Order's Bohemian mercenaries had not been paid, Stibor convinced them to leave. He reimbursed them with money raised in Danzig.<ref name="Eckstein"/> Following the departure of the mercenaries, King ] entered the castle in triumph in 1457, and in May, granted Danzig several privileges in gratitude for the town's assistance and involvement in the ] as well as for the funds collected for the mercenaries that left.<ref name="Nowak-Osowski"/>
=== Modern times ===
]
After the ] in 1772 the town became part of the ] provnce of ]. At that time the rather ruined castle was used as poorhouse and barracks of the ]. In 1794 the Prussian architect and head of the Oberbaudepartement, ], was ordered to make a structural survey of the remains, to decide about a future use or complete demolition of the castle. Gilly's son, ], produced several engravings of the castle and its architecture, exhibited in ] and published by Friedrich Frick in 1799 - 1803. These engravings caused the "rediscovery" of the castle and the history of the Teutonic Knights by the Prussian public.<ref>], Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas, ''Ostpreußen und Westpreußen'', Berlin 1992, p.344, ISBN 3-88680-212-4</ref>


]'')]]
] published a recension of the engravings on 12 February 1803 and stated, he wished these images would encourage a larger public interest and ] critizised the defacement of the castle. Throughout the ] time the castle was used as a hospital and arsenal but after Prussia was ], the castle became a symbol of Prussian history and national consciousness. The reconstruction began after 1816 on the initiative of ], Oberpräsident of ]<ref>C. Steinbrecht, Schloss Marienburg in Preussen, Berlin 1894</ref>, and lasted with varying intensity until ] started<ref>], Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas, ''Ostpreußen und Westpreußen'', Berlin 1992, p.36-40, , ISBN 3-88680-212-4</ref>.


The mayor of the town around the castle, Bartholomäus Blume, resisted the Polish forces for three more years, but the Poles captured and sentenced him to death in 1460.<ref name="Preußen in Ostmitteleuropa: Geschehensgeschichte und Verstehensgeschichte"/> A monument to Blume was erected in 1864.<ref>{{cite book |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=D-EVAAAAYAAJ |page=380 }} |title=Altpreussische Monatsschrift |publisher=Thomas & Oppermann |year=1864 |author=von Rudolf Reide}}</ref>
In 1945, the castle was over 50% destroyed as a result of fighting, and again damaged by a fire in 1959. The castle has been mostly reconstructed and restoration has been ongoing since 1962. However, the main cathedral in the castle, fully restored just prior to the war, remains in its ruined state as destroyed during the war.


===Residence of the Polish kings===
]
In 1466 both castle and town became part of the Polish ] in the province of ]. Since 1457 it served as one of the several Polish royal residences, fulfilling this function for over 300 years until the ] in 1772. During this period the Tall Castle served as the castle's supply storehouse, while the Great Refectory was a place for balls, feasts, and other royal events.<ref name="unesco847"/> Polish Kings often stayed in the castle, especially when travelling to the nearby city of ]. Local Polish officials resided in the castle.<ref name=VM/> From 1568 the castle housed the Polish Admiralty (''Komisja Morska'') and in 1584 one of the Polish Royal Mints was established here. Also, the largest arsenal of the ] was located in the castle.<ref name=VM/> By the decision of King ] of 1652, ] took care of the castle chapels of Mary and St. Anne.
]


During the ], in 1626 and 1629 ] forces occupied the castle. They invaded and occupied it again from 1656 to 1660 during the ].<ref name=IYP>{{cite web|url=https://www.inyourpocket.com/Malbork/History|title=History - Malbork|website=www.inyourpocket.com|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> Then the castle was visited by Swedish kings ] (in 1626) and ] (in 1656).<ref name=VM/>
==Burials in the mausoleum under the Chapel of St. Anne==
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]


===After the Partitions of Poland===
== References ==
After Prussia and the Russian Empire made the ] in 1772, the town was annexed by the ] and in 1773 it became part of the newly established province of ]. At that time, the king's officers used the rather neglected castle as a barracks for the ] and also as a poorhouse. The last Jesuits left the castle in 1780. In 1794 ], a Prussian architect and head of the Royal Office of Works, made a structural survey of the castle, to recommend on its future use or demolition.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095852726|title=Friedrich Gilly - oi|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> Gilly's son, ], produced several engravings of the castle and its architecture, which he exhibited in Berlin. These were published by Friedrich Frick between 1799 and 1803 and led the Prussian public to "rediscover" the castle and the history of the Teutonic Knights.<ref name="boockman"/>
{{reflist}}
]]]

] published another edition of the engravings on 12 February 1803, also wanting to encourage public interest.<ref name="boockman2"/> ] was critical of the defacing of the castle. Throughout the ], the Prussian army used the castle as a hospital and arsenal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://handmadeineurope.com/heymesbalticamber/malbork-castle/|title=Malbork castle - Heyme|date=6 August 2015|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> ] visited the castle in 1807 and 1812.<ref name=VM/> After the ], the castle became a symbol of Prussian history and national consciousness. In 1816, ], governor of West Prussia, began the restoration of the castle.<ref name="steinbrecht"/> In 1910, the ] in ] was built, and the Marienburg was used as a model for this new ''Red Castle''.<ref>''Flensburger Tageblatt'' , shz.de (in German)</ref> The restoration of the Marienburg was undertaken in stages until the beginning of the Second World War.<ref name="boockman2"/>

]. Most of the brick outer walls remained intact]]
With the rise of ] to power in the early 1930s, the ] used the castle as a destination for annual pilgrimages of both the ] and the ]. The Teutonic Castle at Marienburg served as a blueprint for the ] built under Hitler's reign.<ref name="shirer"/> In 1945 during fighting in the area, more than half the castle was destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.simplysaratravel.com/home/malbork-castle|title=Daytrip from Gdańsk: Malbork Castle|date=24 February 2015 |access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>

In memory of the town's residents voting in favor of remaining part of Germany, after the First World War, a monument of a knight on a tall column was erected in front of the castle. The town was transferred to Poland in 1945, and most of its ]. In the course of Polonization, the column was cut in half. The upper part remains at the original location and now carries a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus, while the rest of the column can be found supporting a ] statue in a monastery garden near St. John's church.<ref> {{cite journal|journal=Der Westpreuße|title=Entlastet vom "Alten Fritz" Zwei Denkmal-Geschichten| publisher=Westpreußische Gesellschaft|issue=4|year=2023|pages=13–14}}</ref>

===Restoration since 1962===
A severe fire in 1959 caused further damage to the castle.<ref name=HT>{{cite web|url=https://www.hecktictravels.com/castle-of-knights-malbork-poland|title=Castle of Knights - Malbork, Poland in Photos|date=17 July 2013|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>

In 1961 the Castle Museum ('']'') was founded,<ref name=IYP/> and in 1965 an amber exhibition was opened.<ref name=VM/>

In a restoration ongoing since 1962, most of the castle has been reconstructed.<ref name=HT/>

A significant 21st-century restoration is of the castle's principal church, which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This had been restored just before the Second World War and then largely destroyed in the fighting of 1945. It remained in a state of disrepair until a new restoration was completed in April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://funduszeeog.zamek.malbork.pl/index.php?lang=en|title=Conservation and building works in the complex of the Holy Virgin Church in the Castle Museum in Malbork|website=funduszeeog.zamek.malbork.pl|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>

Malbork Castle remains the largest brick complex in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://etwinning.weebly.com/malbork.html|title=Malbork|website=European castles|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>

==Burials in the mausoleum under the Chapel of St. Anne==
{{div col}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
{{div col end}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center">
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 56.jpg|General view
Malbork zamek wysoki i sredni (dron).jpg|Aerial photo of High and Middle Castle
Malbork (15439396142).jpg|High Castle, view from the West
Malbork, Zamek Wysoki, Refektarz konwentu.jpg|Hight castle, convent refectory
Arch in the High Castle of Malbork.jpg|High castle, entrance to the church, so called Golden Gate
Zamek w Malborku 265.jpg|Grand Masters' Palace, northwestern facade
Malbork (DerHexer) 2010-07-14 305.jpg|Grand Masters' Palace, summer refectory
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 06.jpg|Exterior view of one of the entrances
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 12.jpg|Gate over the main entrance
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 38.jpg|Interior view of the tower over the main entrance
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 24.jpg|Exterior view of the castle walls
Marienburg-Kirche-Altar-160428-268.jpg|Partially reconstructed chapel
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 18.jpg|Sculptures at the entrance of St Anne's chapel
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 26.jpg|Windows in the cloisters
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 25.jpg|Corridor of the cloisters
Castillo de Malbork, Polonia, 2013-05-19, DD 17.jpg|] in St. Anne's Chapel
Malbork zamek kosciol NMP figura Madonny.jpg|Reconstructed statue of St. Mary at the castle church
</gallery>

==See also==
* ], similar architecture
* ]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=

<ref name="boockman">{{harvnb|Boockmann|1992|p=344}}</ref>

<ref name="boockman2">{{harvnb|Boockmann|1992|pp=36–40}}</ref>

<ref name="books363">{{cite book|author=Stephen Batchelor|title=Medieval History For Dummies|url=https://archive.org/details/medievalhistoryf00step|url-access=registration|access-date=25 July 2012|date=21 July 2010|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-74783-4|page=}}</ref>

<ref name="Eckstein">{{cite web |url=http://poniec.pl/ |title=History of Poniec |author=Antoni Eckstein}} published in "Roczniki Historyczne", v.II, p.92 of IH PAN (Institute of History, Polish Academy of Science), 1926</ref>

<ref name="emery">{{harvnb|Emery|2007|p=139}}</ref>

<ref name="Emery143">{{harvnb|Emery|2007|p=143}}</ref>

<ref name="Nowak-Osowski">Andrzej Nowak and Dariusz Osowski, , Album Polski.pl</ref>

<ref name="Preußen in Ostmitteleuropa: Geschehensgeschichte und Verstehensgeschichte">{{cite book|author=Matthias Weber|title=Preußen in Ostmitteleuropa: Geschehensgeschichte und Verstehensgeschichte|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1v9pAAAAMAAJ&q=Blume|access-date=25 July 2012|year=2003|publisher=Oldenbourg Verlag|isbn=978-3-486-56718-2|page=193}}</ref>

<ref name="shirer">{{harvnb|Shirer|1960|pp=255–256}}</ref>

<ref name="steinbrecht">C. Steinbrecht, ''Schloss Marienburg in Preussen'', Berlin, 1894</ref>

<ref name="touropia"> Touropia, the Travel List Website: "10 Largest Castles in the World." Accessed 6 April 2011.</ref>

<ref name="unesco">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/847 |title=Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork - UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=Whc.unesco.org |date=7 December 1997 |access-date=25 July 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="unesco1">, WHC-08/32.COM/8D, UNESCO, Paris, 22 May 2008.</ref>

<ref name="unesco847">{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/847|title=Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Boockmann |first=Hartmut |author-link=Hartmut Boockmann |contribution=Deutsche Geschichte im Osten Europas |title=Ostpreußen und Westpreußen |publisher=Siedler Verlag |location=Berlin |year=1992 |language=de |isbn=3-88680-212-4}}
*{{cite journal |last=Emery |first=Anthony |title=Malbork Castle&nbsp;– Poland |year=2007 |journal=The Castle Studies Group Journal |volume=21 |pages=138–156 |url=http://www.castlestudiesgroup.org.uk/Malbork%20-%20Anthony%20Emery.pdf}}
*{{cite book |last=Shirer |first=William |author-link=William L. Shirer |title=The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1960 |asin=B000EA3XL4}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation |last=Knox |first=Brian |title=The Architecture of Poland |year=1971 |publisher=Barrie & Jenkins |isbn=978-0-214-65211-0}}
*{{citation |last=Turnbull |first=Stephen |title=Crusader Castles of the Teutonic Knights |year=2003 |publisher=Osprey |isbn=978-1-84176-557-0}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category|Marienburg Castle in Malbork|Castle in Malbork}}
*
* , Castles of Poland
* {{in lang|pl}}
*


== External links ==
{{Commons|Castle in Malbork}}
*
*
*
{{World Heritage Sites in Poland}} {{World Heritage Sites in Poland}}
{{Royal Residences in Poland}}
{{Authority control}}


] ]
]
]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 21:51, 27 November 2024

Teutonic castle in Poland

Malbork Castle
Zamek w Malborku (Polish)
Malbork Castle from across the Nogat
LocationMalbork, Poland
Coordinates54°02′23″N 19°01′40″E / 54.03972°N 19.02778°E / 54.03972; 19.02778
Built13th century
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official nameCastle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iii, iv
Designated1997 (21st session)
Reference no.847
RegionPoland
Historic Monument of Poland
Designated1994-09-08
Reference no.M.P. z 1994 r. Nr 50, poz. 420
Malbork Castle is located in PolandMalbork CastleLocation of Malbork Castle in PolandShow map of PolandMalbork Castle is located in Pomeranian VoivodeshipMalbork CastleMalbork Castle (Pomeranian Voivodeship)Show map of Pomeranian Voivodeship

The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, commonly known as Malbork Castle (Polish: Zamek w Malborku; German: Ordensburg Marienburg), is a brick gothic castle complex located in the town of Malbork, Poland, built in 13th and significantly expanded in 14th century. It is the largest castle in the world measured by land area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was constructed by the Teutonic Order, a German Catholic religious order of crusaders, in the form of an Ordensburg fortress and named Marienburg in honour of Mary, mother of Jesus. In 1457, during the Thirteen Years' War, the castle was sold by Bohemian mercenaries to King Casimir IV of Poland in lieu of indemnities. It then served as one of several Polish royal residences and the seat of Polish offices and institutions, interrupted by several years of Swedish occupation, fulfilling this function until the First Partition of Poland in 1772. From then on, the castle was under German rule for over 170 years until 1945, albeit largely falling into disrepair as military technological advances rendered the castle a mere historical point of interest.

The construction period is a point of debate, but most historians generally accept the 132 years between 1274 and 1406 as the construction time. The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress and, upon its completion in 1406, was the world's largest brick castle.

UNESCO designated the "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork" and the Malbork Castle Museum a World Heritage Site in December 1997. It is one of two World Heritage Sites in the region (north-central Poland), together with the "Medieval Town of Toruń", which was founded in 1231. Malbork Castle is also one of Poland's official national Historic Monuments (Pomnik historii), as designated on 8 September 1994. Its listing is maintained by the National Heritage Board of Poland.

History

Origins

Northwestern facade of Grand Masters' Palace

The castle was built by the Teutonic Order after the conquest of Old Prussia. Its main purpose was to strengthen their own control of the area following the Order's 1274 suppression of the Great Prussian Uprising of the Baltic tribes. No contemporary documents survive relating to its construction, so instead the castle's phases have been worked out through the study of architecture and the Order's administrative records and later histories. The work lasted until around 1300, under the auspices of Commander Heinrich von Wilnowe. The castle is located on the southeastern bank of the river Nogat. It was named Marienburg after Mary, patron saint of the religious Order. The Order had been created in Acre (present-day Israel). When this last stronghold of the Crusades fell to Muslim Arabs, the Order moved its headquarters to Venice before arriving in Prussia.

Malbork became more important in the aftermath of the Teutonic Knights' conquest of Gdańsk (Danzig) and Eastern Pomerania in 1308. The Order's administrative centre was moved to Marienburg from Elbing (now Elbląg). The Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, Siegfried von Feuchtwangen, who arrived in Marienburg from Venice, undertook the next phase of the fortress' construction. In 1309, in the wake of the papal persecution of the Knights Templar and the Teutonic takeover of Danzig, Feuchtwangen relocated his headquarters to the Prussian part of the Order's monastic state. He chose the site of Marienburg conveniently located on the Nogat in the Vistula Delta. As with most cities of the time, the new centre was dependent on water for transportation.

Array of iron warriors in the courtyard

The castle was expanded several times to house the growing number of Knights. Soon, it became the largest fortified Gothic building in Europe, on a nearly 21-hectare (52-acre) site. The castle has several subdivisions and numerous layers of defensive walls. It consists of three separate castles – the High, Middle and Lower Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. The castle once housed approximately 3,000 "brothers in arms". The outermost castle walls enclose 21 ha (52 acres), four times the enclosed area of Windsor Castle. The developed part of the property designated as a World Heritage Site is 18.038 ha (44.57 acres).

The favourable position of the castle on the river Nogat allowed easy access by barges and trading ships arriving from the Vistula and the Baltic Sea. During their governance, the Teutonic Knights collected river tolls from passing ships, as did other castles along the rivers. They controlled a monopoly on the trade of amber. When the city became a member of the Hanseatic League, many Hanseatic meetings were held there.

View of the High Castle (zamek wysoki) from the west

In 1361, the future Grand Duke of Lithuania Kęstutis was briefly imprisoned in the castle. In 1365, Polish King Casimir III the Great visited the castle.

In the summer of 1410, the castle was besieged following the Order's defeat by the armies of Władysław II Jagiełło and Vytautas the Great (Witold) at the Battle of Grunwald. Heinrich von Plauen successfully led the defence in the Siege of Marienburg (1410), during which the city outside was razed.

In 1456, during the Thirteen Years' War, the Order – facing opposition from its cities for raising taxes to pay ransoms for expenses associated with its wars against Kingdom of Poland – could no longer manage financially. Meanwhile, Polish General Stibor de Poniec of Ostoja raised funds from Danzig for a new campaign against them. Learning that the Order's Bohemian mercenaries had not been paid, Stibor convinced them to leave. He reimbursed them with money raised in Danzig. Following the departure of the mercenaries, King Casimir IV Jagiellon entered the castle in triumph in 1457, and in May, granted Danzig several privileges in gratitude for the town's assistance and involvement in the Thirteen Years' War (1454–66) as well as for the funds collected for the mercenaries that left.

Toilet tower (dansker)

The mayor of the town around the castle, Bartholomäus Blume, resisted the Polish forces for three more years, but the Poles captured and sentenced him to death in 1460. A monument to Blume was erected in 1864.

Residence of the Polish kings

In 1466 both castle and town became part of the Polish Malbork Voivodeship in the province of Royal Prussia. Since 1457 it served as one of the several Polish royal residences, fulfilling this function for over 300 years until the First Partition of Poland in 1772. During this period the Tall Castle served as the castle's supply storehouse, while the Great Refectory was a place for balls, feasts, and other royal events. Polish Kings often stayed in the castle, especially when travelling to the nearby city of Gdańsk/Danzig. Local Polish officials resided in the castle. From 1568 the castle housed the Polish Admiralty (Komisja Morska) and in 1584 one of the Polish Royal Mints was established here. Also, the largest arsenal of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was located in the castle. By the decision of King John II Casimir Vasa of 1652, Jesuits took care of the castle chapels of Mary and St. Anne.

Map and plans of Malbork castle made in 1629 during the Swedish occupation.
Map and plans of Malbork castle made in 1629 during the Swedish occupation.

During the Thirty Years' War, in 1626 and 1629 Swedish forces occupied the castle. They invaded and occupied it again from 1656 to 1660 during the Deluge. Then the castle was visited by Swedish kings Gustav Adolf (in 1626) and Charles X Gustav (in 1656).

After the Partitions of Poland

After Prussia and the Russian Empire made the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the town was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia and in 1773 it became part of the newly established province of West Prussia. At that time, the king's officers used the rather neglected castle as a barracks for the Prussian Army and also as a poorhouse. The last Jesuits left the castle in 1780. In 1794 David Gilly, a Prussian architect and head of the Royal Office of Works, made a structural survey of the castle, to recommend on its future use or demolition. Gilly's son, Friedrich Gilly, produced several engravings of the castle and its architecture, which he exhibited in Berlin. These were published by Friedrich Frick between 1799 and 1803 and led the Prussian public to "rediscover" the castle and the history of the Teutonic Knights.

Castle in 1890–1905, during the German Empire

Johann Dominicus Fiorillo published another edition of the engravings on 12 February 1803, also wanting to encourage public interest. Max von Schenkendorf was critical of the defacing of the castle. Throughout the Napoleonic Wars, the Prussian army used the castle as a hospital and arsenal. Napoleon visited the castle in 1807 and 1812. After the War of the Sixth Coalition, the castle became a symbol of Prussian history and national consciousness. In 1816, Theodor von Schön, governor of West Prussia, began the restoration of the castle. In 1910, the Naval Academy Mürwik in Flensburg was built, and the Marienburg was used as a model for this new Red Castle. The restoration of the Marienburg was undertaken in stages until the beginning of the Second World War.

Ruins of the castle after the Second World War. Most of the brick outer walls remained intact

With the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in the early 1930s, the Nazis used the castle as a destination for annual pilgrimages of both the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls. The Teutonic Castle at Marienburg served as a blueprint for the Order Castles of the Third Reich built under Hitler's reign. In 1945 during fighting in the area, more than half the castle was destroyed.

In memory of the town's residents voting in favor of remaining part of Germany, after the First World War, a monument of a knight on a tall column was erected in front of the castle. The town was transferred to Poland in 1945, and most of its inhabitants fled or were expelled. In the course of Polonization, the column was cut in half. The upper part remains at the original location and now carries a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus, while the rest of the column can be found supporting a Saint Christopher statue in a monastery garden near St. John's church.

Restoration since 1962

A severe fire in 1959 caused further damage to the castle.

In 1961 the Castle Museum (Muzeum Zamkowe) was founded, and in 1965 an amber exhibition was opened.

In a restoration ongoing since 1962, most of the castle has been reconstructed.

A significant 21st-century restoration is of the castle's principal church, which is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This had been restored just before the Second World War and then largely destroyed in the fighting of 1945. It remained in a state of disrepair until a new restoration was completed in April 2016.

Malbork Castle remains the largest brick complex in Europe.

Burials in the mausoleum under the Chapel of St. Anne

Gallery

  • General view General view
  • Aerial photo of High and Middle Castle Aerial photo of High and Middle Castle
  • High Castle, view from the West High Castle, view from the West
  • Hight castle, convent refectory Hight castle, convent refectory
  • High castle, entrance to the church, so called Golden Gate High castle, entrance to the church, so called Golden Gate
  • Grand Masters' Palace, northwestern facade Grand Masters' Palace, northwestern facade
  • Grand Masters' Palace, summer refectory Grand Masters' Palace, summer refectory
  • Exterior view of one of the entrances Exterior view of one of the entrances
  • Gate over the main entrance Gate over the main entrance
  • Interior view of the tower over the main entrance Interior view of the tower over the main entrance
  • Exterior view of the castle walls Exterior view of the castle walls
  • Partially reconstructed chapel Partially reconstructed chapel
  • Sculptures at the entrance of St Anne's chapel Sculptures at the entrance of St Anne's chapel
  • Windows in the cloisters Windows in the cloisters
  • Corridor of the cloisters Corridor of the cloisters
  • Gravestones in St. Anne's Chapel Gravestones in St. Anne's Chapel
  • Reconstructed statue of St. Mary at the castle church Reconstructed statue of St. Mary at the castle church

See also

References

  1. ^ Zarządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 września 1994 r. w sprawie uznania za pomnik historii., M.P., 1994, vol. 50, No. 420
  2. "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. 7 December 1997. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  3. Malbork Castle (with an area of 143,591 square meters), the largest castle in the world by KML Area Calculator. Touropia, the Travel List Website: "10 Largest Castles in the World." Accessed 6 April 2011.
  4. Emery 2007, p. 139
  5. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork". whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  6. ^ Emery 2007, p. 143
  7. Stephen Batchelor (21 July 2010). Medieval History For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 363. ISBN 978-0-470-74783-4. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  8. "Zamek Malbork – historia, wnętrza, zwiedzanie, ciekawostki" (in Polish). 21 June 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  9. "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork", WHC-08/32.COM/8D, UNESCO, Paris, 22 May 2008.
  10. "Bearing witness to a brighter moment in Poland's history: Visiting Malbork Castle". 13 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  11. ^ "Historia". Visit Malbork (in Polish). Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  12. "Malbork Castle – Battle Castle". Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  13. "Ken Robson Home".
  14. Antoni Eckstein. "History of Poniec". published in "Roczniki Historyczne", v.II, p.92 of IH PAN (Institute of History, Polish Academy of Science), 1926
  15. Andrzej Nowak and Dariusz Osowski, Królewski herb Gdańska, Album Polski.pl
  16. Matthias Weber (2003). Preußen in Ostmitteleuropa: Geschehensgeschichte und Verstehensgeschichte. Oldenbourg Verlag. p. 193. ISBN 978-3-486-56718-2. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  17. von Rudolf Reide (1864). Altpreussische Monatsschrift. Thomas & Oppermann.
  18. ^ "History - Malbork". www.inyourpocket.com. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  19. "Friedrich Gilly - oi". Retrieved 17 July 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. Boockmann 1992, p. 344
  21. ^ Boockmann 1992, pp. 36–40
  22. "Malbork castle - Heyme". 6 August 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  23. C. Steinbrecht, Schloss Marienburg in Preussen, Berlin, 1894
  24. Flensburger Tageblatt "100 Jahre Marineschule : Das rote Schloss des deutschen Kaisers", shz.de (in German)
  25. Shirer 1960, pp. 255–256
  26. "Daytrip from Gdańsk: Malbork Castle". 24 February 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  27. "Entlastet vom "Alten Fritz" Zwei Denkmal-Geschichten". Der Westpreuße (4). Westpreußische Gesellschaft: 13–14. 2023.
  28. ^ "Castle of Knights - Malbork, Poland in Photos". 17 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  29. "Conservation and building works in the complex of the Holy Virgin Church in the Castle Museum in Malbork". funduszeeog.zamek.malbork.pl. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  30. "Malbork". European castles. Retrieved 17 July 2018.

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

World Heritage Sites in Poland
Cultural
Natural
  • shared with Germany
  • shared with Ukraine
  • shared with 17 other countries
  • shared with Belarus
Royal palaces and residences of the Kingdom of Poland
Extant Coat of arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Ruined
Demolished
Categories: