Malbork

Agrandir le plan

Shortened history of the castle:

The castle was founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Order during its rule of Prussia.

The castle was expanded several times to house the growing number of Knights. It 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".

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.

In 1466 both castle and town became part of Royal Prussia. It served as one of the several Polish royal residences.

In 1794 David Gilly, a Prussian architect and head of the Oberbaudepartement, made a structural survey of the castle, to decide about its future use or demolition. Gilly's son, Friedrich Gilly, produced several engravings of the castle and its architecture, which he exhibited in Berlin and had published by Friedrich Frick from 1799 to 1803. These engravings led the Prussian public to "rediscover" the castle and the history of the Teutonic Knights.

Throughout the Napoleonic period, the army used the castle as a hospital and arsenal. After Prussia was liberated again, the castle became a symbol of Prussian history and national consciousness.

The castle has been mostly reconstructed, with restoration ongoing since 1962. The main cathedral in the castle, fully restored just before WWII, is still in ruins.

Opening times and additional information:

Summer season (April 15 – September 15): 9am - 7pm
Spring and fall season (April 1-14/September 16-30): 10am - 5pm
Winter season (October 1 – March 31): 10am - 3pm

Single tickets: 35 PLN (reduced: 25 PLN)
Family tickets:
3-person family 85 PLN
4-person family 110 PLN
5-person family 135 PLN
6-person family 160 PLN

Discount tickets are available to: pupils and students, teachers, instructors of educational and guardianship institutions, establishments, centres and shelters for minors, pensioners and disabled persons from member states of the European Union, Swiss Confederation and European Free Trade Association (EFTA), persons decorated For services to historical monuments, Meritorious culture worker, Euro Card holders