The city of Malbork is located in Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. Both the castle and the town were named after their saint patron, the Virgin Mary. Malbork lies on the Nogat River (Vistula's arm) and is dominated by a Teutonic 13th century castle which was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the largest castle in the world by surface area, and the largest brick building in Europe.

The defence center of Malbork was built in a place of unique natural defensive capabilities. It was built on the northern end of the narrow peninsula, surrounded by the both sides by the river Nogat and an extensive marshy valley. Only by the south side there existed convenient entrance, which was limited by building the centre of defensive walls and moats. The highest landmark was located in a place of modern High Castle. Here exactly, in 1278, the Teutonic Order’s knights begun raising the castle.

The Teutonic Knights or the Teutonic Order of the Hospital of St. Mary in Jerusalem, were known in Poland as Krzyżacy on account of the black cross they wore on their white coats. Established in 1190 to protect German pilgrims in the Holy Land, the order was later transformed in order to fight heretics. In 1226 the Teutonic Knights came to Chełmno in Poland, invited by Duke Konrad I of Mazovia to convert the pagan Prussians. They conquered Prussia, exterminated the locals and founded a state with Malbork as its capital.

Malbork Castle, becoming the headquarters of the Grand Master and the Chapter of the Order, received the grand design of sculpture and painting. Castle testified about the power of Order and were supposed to impress guests from Western Europe. In the Castle Museum of Malbork, you can find among others:  High Castle  St. Anna Chapel  Chapterhouse  Dormitories  Castle Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary  The refectory of the Convention  Middle Castle  Great Refectory  A medieval heating system  An exhibition of weapons and armaments  The cellars under the Palace of the Grand Masters  An exhibition of amber: Halberd Hall  Palace of Grand Masters

Overtaking the castle by Prussians caused significant deterioration of the castle – almost all of the gothic ceilings were destroyed, a lot of gates and walls were demolished on purpose of gaining timber. In 1817 there was made a decision about reconstruction of the castle which took about 120 years. During the second world war about 50% of renovated castle was demolished, therefore after the ending of the conflict, people started considering demolition of the whole complex. However, the decision was changed and another reconstruction of the castle has begun. Now conservators also are trying to restore its medivial apperance.

Malbork Castle, a symbol of power and cultural tradition, is the most important monument to the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights, a unique phenomenon in the history of western civilization. The Castle is at the same time the major material manifestation of the Crusades in eastern Europe, the forced baptism of the Baltic people, and the colonization of their tribal territories, which played a vital role in the history of Europe.

 historical games;  visit the castle at night; The castle in Malbork is open for tourists, there are also organisated events of many kinds:  Knight’s battles shows;

 movie adventure;  hall rental;  visit the castle with a Polish or an English guide

Sources:         Elaboration:  Martyna Sobczak, 1d  Agata Bielenica, 1d  Julia Zamojska, 1c Cooperation: Małgorzata Kosińska - Project coordinator, English teacher (text & translation) Bogumiła Bajbak - Ąrt teacher (project) Nicolaus Copernicus Middle School no. 2. in Olecko