New Delhi: Castles have this inevitable ability to transport us to a bygone era when the kings dictated the society and the lives of common people were completely different. Castles show us how the elites of the society used to live at a time when technology was not available to conjure up comfort and luxury. There are numerous important castles in the world, but the Malbork Castle stands out among them. Why? Because it is considered to be the largest castle in the world when measured by land area.
Malbork Castle: The largest in the world
Located in the north of Poland, the Malbork Castle is situated on the River Nogat’s east bank. Hailed as the most elaborate example of a Gothic brick-built castle complex, the castle is a witness to the phenomenon of the erstwhile Prusia’s Teutonic Order.
Who built the Malbork Castle?
In about 1274, the Teutonic Knights started to construct the Malbork Castle after they secured the region from the Prussian warriors. The plan for the castle was grand and the Malbork Castle was later enhanced when it became part of a sovereign monastic state. It became the headquarters of the Order’s Grand Master in 1309 and it was expanded many times till its construction came to a completion in 1406. For the next 150 years, the castle served as the Teutonic Order’s take and in the 14th century, the castle was defended several times against attempted sieges.
On July 15, 1410, at the Battle of the Grunwald, the Teutonic Knights were defeated by the armies of Lithuania and Poland. The castle became a Polish royal residence and it was so till 1772. Malbork became a part of Prussia towards the end of the 18th century and began to fall into ruins. In 1816, the efforts to restore the castle began due to a public campaign and it went on till World War II. Malbork became a part of Poland once again and in 1961, the restoration works began once again. In this phase, the Castle Museum was founded. In 1997, the Malbork Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the 19th century, the Malbork Castle has been a fascinating monument in Europe, serving as a testament to the past. During the restoration works, several forgotten medieval art and craft techniques were rediscovered.
Located in the north of Poland, the Malbork Castle is situated on the River Nogat’s east bank. Hailed as the most elaborate example of a Gothic brick-built castle complex, the castle is a witness to the phenomenon of the erstwhile Prusia’s Teutonic Order. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
