Malbork Castle is one of the greatest and most important fortresses of medieval Europe. It is located in northern Poland, in the heart of the city of Malbork. Built by the Teutonic Order in several stages from 1280 to mid-12th century. 15th century. For many years, the castle served as the seat of the grand masters who directed the activities of the order. Today, the castle is one of the most important monuments in Poland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors can admire the magnificent Gothic architecture, a rich collection of works of art and many other valuable exhibits. In this article, we will try to tell you about the history of the Malbork Castle, tell you about its most important attractions and provide practical information that will help you plan your visit there.
The history of the Malbork Castle - from the Teutonic Order's Fortress to the UNESCO heritage
The history of the Malbork Castle is extremely rich and full of twists and turns. The first mention of the fortress comes from the 13th century, when the Teutonic Order built a stronghold in today's Malbork. Over the next few decades, the fortress gradually expanded, and finally, in the 14th century, it was transformed into a monumental residence of the Grand Masters of the Order.
In its heyday, i.e. from the 14th to the 15th century, the Malbork Castle was one of the most important political and cultural centers in Central Europe. It served as the seat of the great masters who managed the entire organization of the Teutonic Order. Important ceremonies, conventions and conferences were organized in Malbork, and knights from all over Europe were educated and trained.
In 1457, after several centuries of rule over the Malbork land by the order, the town and the castle came under the rule of Poland. In the following years, the castle underwent many reconstructions and modernizations, which were aimed at adapting it to the needs of the new authorities. During World War II, the castle was seriously damaged, and its reconstruction took several decades.
Today, Malbork Castle is one of the most important monuments in Poland and one of the largest Gothic castles in the world. In 1997, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which confirms its great cultural and historical importance. Visitors can admire the magnificent Gothic architecture, a rich collection of works of art and learn the fascinating history of one of the most important fortresses of medieval Europe.
Visiting the castle in Malbork - a fascinating journey in time to the age of knights
The Castle Museum in Malbork is one of the most important tourist attractions in Poland, and at the same time one of the largest castle museums in the world. Its rich collection includes thousands of works of art, historical exhibits and unique items related to the history of the Castle. While visiting the museum, you can admire the magnificent Gothic architecture, wander the corridors and rooms of the castle, and learn about the history and culture of the Teutonic Order and the great masters who ruled the castle.
The most interesting attractions that can be seen while visiting the Castle Museum in Malbork include:
The Great Hall of the Chapter "High Castle" - is one of the most important rooms of the castle, where meetings of the religious chapter were held. In this room you can admire the extremely rich, gothic decor, as well as see the relics related to the history of the castle.
St. George's Chapel Anny is one of the oldest parts of the castle that has survived to this day. The chapel is decorated with extraordinary paintings from the late 14th century, and it is equipped with unique works of art, such as the sculpture of the Virgin Mary with Child
Klesza Tower - is the highest castle tower, from which there is a wonderful view of the area. At the top of the tower is a clock from the 15th century, which still works and strikes the hours today.
The Underground Castle - this is an extraordinary place that has been preserved from the times of the Teutonic Order. In the castle vaults you can see e.g. cellars, corridors, and former prison dungeons.
These are just a few of the many attractions that await tourists at the Castle Museum. For many visitors, a visit to this museum is an unforgettable experience that allows them to learn about the history and culture of one of the greatest fortresses in Europe.
Sightseeing
The route of the tour around the Museum in Malbork is well marked, so visitors should not have problems with navigation. Depending on your preferences, you can choose one of several sightseeing routes that allow you to get to know different parts of the castle.
The most popular route is the so-called The route of the Great Chapter Hall, which allows you to see the most important attractions of the castle. As part of this tour, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Great Chapter Hall, the Castle Chapel, the Refectory, as well as the castle towers and the Underground. This tour takes about 2.5 hours and covers about 60% of the entire area of the castle.
Another popular route is the so-called The Tower Route, which focuses mainly on castle towers. On this tour, visitors can see the Clock Tower, the Mill Tower and the Lazarus Tower. This tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and covers approximately 30% of the castle area.
It is also worth noting that there is a possibility of visiting the castle with a guide who can tell you about the history of the castle and present curiosities related to individual rooms and rooms. This sightseeing option allows you to learn about the history of the Malbork Castle in an even more interesting way.
How to get to the Castle in Malbork? The best ways and tips for tourists
Access from Gdańsk to the Castle Museum in Malbork is easy and convenient. There are three basic ways to reach the castle on your own:
By car - the simplest option is to travel by car, which can take you to Malbork by the national road S7 and then turn at the level of Nowy Dwór Gdański to road no.
By train - The second option is to travel by train. From the Main Railway Station in Gdańsk, you can take a train from Gdańsk to Malbork, which runs regularly throughout the day because the railway line through Malbork is the main railway line towards Warsaw. The entire journey takes about 40 minutes, and you can use the Malbork Dworzec Kolejowy stop on site. From the bus stop, the castle can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes or by public transport.
By bus - the third option is to travel by bus. There are regular buses from Gdańsk to Malbork, and the journey time is about 1 hour. On site, you can use the Malbork Dworzec PKS bus stop, from where you can reach the castle on foot in about 30 minutes, or use public transport.
To sum up, getting from Gdańsk to the Castle Museum in Malbork is easy and accessible by various means of transport, which allows you to easily and comfortably visit one of the most beautiful fortresses in Europe.
Another option to get to the castle museum is to order individual transport by taxi or book a guided tour directly with the hotel.
Many taxi companies offer such trips, most often order a round-trip transport with the driver's waiting included in the price. It is a very comfortable and safe form of travel. Prices for such a service vary depending on the taxi company in the range of PLN 450-650. When ordering a taxi transport, it is worth asking what standard of the car is included in the price and how long the wait is included in the price.
Summary
Malbork Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful fortresses in the world, worth visiting at least once in your life. It is a unique work of Gothic architecture that has been attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world for years. In the castle there is the Castle Museum, where you can see extraordinary collections of works of art and militaria, as well as learn about the history of the Teutonic Order and the history of the castle itself.
While visiting the castle, you can admire the unusual architecture, see the beautiful cloisters, courtyard, chapel, refectory, royal hall and many other interesting places. The museum collections are also worth seeing. knight's armor, weapons, works of art and books from the times of the Teutonic Order.
Access to the castle is easy and convenient, and there are numerous hotels and restaurants in the area, which allows you to stay longer in this magical place. If you want to see one of the most beautiful fortresses in the world and experience an unforgettable adventure, be sure to visit the Malbork Castle!