Polish Castles | Polish History
The construction of the Malbork Castle lasted from the end of the 13th century to the middle of the 15th century. Its origin is closely connected with the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary - better known in Poland as the Teutonic Order.
The location of the defensive complex of Malbork has special natural defensive properties. It was built on the northern fringe of a relatively narrow peninsula, surrounded from two sides by the river Nogat (from the west and partly from the north) and by a vast boggy valley (from north-east and east). The only convenient entrance existed on the southern side, limited by a complex of defensive walls and moats. In former times, a small watercourse ran through the valley, still visible on 19th century maps, it drained water from the surrounding swamps. The Młynówka canal dike, raised crosswise to the valley in 12th century created a vast lake, visible in the oldest, 15th century panoramas of Malbork and in maps from the period of Polish - Swedish wars. It constituted an additional defensive element. The highest point of the terrain, probably separated from the peninsula by natural depressions, was located in the site of today's High Castle. Here, in 1278, the Teutonic Order began the construction of the Castle.
Beginnings
1278 - commencement of the construction
1280 - relocating the Convent from Santyr to Malbork
The construction began with marking out and raising a peripheral wall of a conventual castle, designed as a c.a. 56m x 61m rectangle. During the final phase of construction, corner towers, characteristic for Teutonic castles, were raised above the defensive porches, accentuating the decorative peaks of particular castle wings. Additionally, they constituted a defensive element, enabling four-way firing.
The entry was located differently than in other Teutonic castles, it was led from the then forecastle (now the Middle Castle) through the north-western corner. The topographic conditions forced such a solution (the high ridge of the peninsula and a meek long slope constituted a perfect entry route). Buildings containing a chapel, capitularies and dormitories were annexed from the inside to the peripheral walls of the conventual castle. In 1280 the Convent was relocated from the nearby Santyr to Malbork. The first brothers settled in the northern wing, built at the earliest. Later, the western wing was raised, containing the refectory and the commander's chamber. The castle-monastery was surrounded by a defensive wall at the end of the 12th century. The broad space between the defensive walls was used as a walking and storage space (e.g. cannon storage) and a cemetery of the brothers. A tower called Gdanisko (preserved till today), connected with the long, porch covered castle (64m), was built at the same time. It was designed as a site of the ultimate defense. A latrine was also built in the tower, but its main function was to control the route through the bridges, Bridge Towers (preserved till today) and the Szewska Gate to the city. A similar but smaller tower called Klesza was situated on the opposite side, in the north-eastern fragment of the defensive wall. Both of the towers constituted an element of the fortification, flanking the fortified monastery. This function prevailed until the 20th century, when the German divisions destroyed several Soviet tanks from Gdanisko. The tanks attempted to enter the castle from the city side. Klesza tower, however, lost its defensive function after the expansion of the castle's church.
14th century
1309 - reconstruction of the castle
14 September 1309 - relocating the capital of the Order to Malbork
1330-1334 - constructing the Virgin Mary church, expansion
After 1309 the castle was completely reconstructed and many of the chambers changed their primary functions. The power of the Order rose constantly, along with the military successes in Pomerania. A decision was made to permanently relocate the seat of the Grand Master from Venice to Malbork. A necessity of expanding the castle, which was to become the capital of the Order's state, was connected to this. The previous conventual castle became the main housing of the Teutonic Order. Construction of new wings of the castle began. The southern wing was raised first, later, the eastern wing. Because of the constantly increasing number of monks, the new wings contained dormitories, a refectory and a common room. The upper stories were used as storehouses and granaries. The walls were reinforced as well, their crests contained additional defensive porches, which along with the main and corner towers constituted a joint fortification system. The cellars and ground floors contained farming rooms. These included food storages, convent's kitchen, brewery and other farming rooms.
Fundamental modifications were made during 1330-1334. The entire shape of the castle and the inner division of the monastery's chambers were modified. The northern wing, which previously contained only a chapel, was expanded. In its place a two-story sacred building was constructed, with a one-hall Virgin Mary church (currently being restored after war damages). The chapel of St. Anne was situated on the ground and first story, under the chancel.
During the middle ages it served as the resting place of the Order's Grand Masters. During the same time, the bell tower was rebuilt and expanded. It constituted an additional element of the reinforcements, used for guarding and signalizing. With the use of smoke and fire signals, messages were exchanged quickly between the surrounding castles (Tczew, Elbląg, Dzierzgoń) as well as the summer residence of the Grand Masters in Sztuma.
The seemingly raw body of the castle-monastery was decorated with ornamental towers, defensive porches, decorative ruffles, traceries and religious portals. Due to this the heavy walls seemed lighter.
The church was separated, yet still an element of the conventual castle. It constituted a grand example of combining religious ideology with bold architectural solutions. It was a representative church of the order's state in Prussia. Since the 14th century until today, it can be clearly distinguished in the eastern wall of the castle. The effect is accentuated by an 8 meter sculpture of Madonna and Child, the patron saint of the Order. (destroyed during the hostilities in 1945, not restored as of yet).
Forecastle buildings were located directly north from the conventual castle. They served as storage-farming buildings. The forecastle had its own fortification system consisted of a peripheral wall, 4 corner towers, gate tower and a watered moat. Two of the earliest buildings were raised, one of which contained an armory. Currently the Middle Castle is located in the site of the then forecastle. In the first part of the 14th century the construction of the Grand Masters' residence began, in place of the forecastle. In contrast to the High Castle, this part, called the Middle Castle, was meant to occupy a relatively vast space. Because of its purpose, the defensive function was abandoned in favor of farming and representative functions. The difference in the buildings is visible even today. A three winged structure open to the High Castle was built on the Middle Castle, based on the existing buildings of the forecastle. This was the standard method of building, for strategic reasons. After the eventual seizure of the Middle Castle, the attackers were still exposed to the defenders of the High Castle. A residence for the Grand Master with the chapel of St. Catherine was built near the entrance to the High Castle, reconstructed from the armory. At the end of the 14th century, under the supervision of Nicolas Fellenstein, the residence was expanded and became the Palace of the Grand Master, similar to the one seen today. The Summer and Winter Refectory and the High Entrance Hall were designed as representative chambers. The private quarters of the Grand Master were expanded as well. Such reconstructed Palace was decorated from the courtyard side with ornamental elevation. The basement contained an office, archives and a scriptorium. It was there that the first map of western Prussia was made in 1400. Painting works began as well. Today we are able to admire only a small portion of old ornaments and decorative arches, which distinguished the Grand Master's Palace among the whole castle complex. The western wing, containing the Grand Refectory, was adjoined to the Palace. It was the largest chamber of the castle, 15x30 meters. Splendid feasts, with over 400 participants were held there. More private parties were held in the chambers of the Palace, depending on the season: the Summer or Winter Refectory. Both chambers had enormous artistic qualities, this resulted in a stunning effect when mixed with proper equipment. The preserved accounting book notes illustrate how luxurious was the life of the Grand Master of the Order. Malbork matched European capital of the time in any given aspect. Tournaments, hunting, splendid parties and other worldly events were held there. The eastern wing of the Middle Castle was meant for the Order's guests, who arrived in great numbers, tempted by fame for combating the pagans, who, according to the Order, were the inhabitants of Prussia. The seat of the grand commander was located in the northern wing, as was the infirmary and the bridge tower.
The Forecastle, also known as the Lower Castle, was the largest element of the Malbork fortress. It was built almost simultaneously with the Middle Castle, on a vast flood route of Nogat. It constituted the farming infrastructure of the order. Shops, storages, armories, stables, barns, the granary, the hospital and houses for the servants were located there. The remains of St. Lawrence church, located in the Lower Castle, can still be seen (marked as former St. Lawrence tower, before the main entrance gate to the Middle Castle). Typically for military buildings, the Forecastle had a system of defensive walls with entry gates. The whole complex was additionally surrounded by a system of moats. There were several entry gates to the castle of Malbork, all of them, however, led through the Forecastle, the Middle Castle to the High Castle. For example, guests, entering from the west (most exposed side) had to cross 14 gates, 4 drawbridges and 3 frameworks. The entrance from the eastern side was similarly fortified, through the New Gate, built during 1418-1420.
To man this number of reinforcements required a strong and organized garrison. This was not always achieved, for example during the spectacular escape of the Lithuanian prince Kestutis from his cell in the heart of the Malbork fortress, on the High Castle. The cell, called "Witold" (Vytautas) (wishful thinking of the Teutonic Order, as the duke never got there), can be seen till this day on the High Castle. Confidential information got out of the castle much more often than the Grand Master suspected. Stanislaw of Bolemin - a courtier of Ulrich von Jungingen and simultaneously a member of the Lizard Union, is an example of a secret agent of the Polish intelligence.
15th century
1410 - first siege of the Castle
1414 - fortification reconstruction
1454 - second siege of the Castle
1457 - Casimir the Jagiellonian purchases the castle, the capital of the order relocated to Królewiec
1457-1460 - battles of Malbork, destruction of the Artus Court and the City Hall
1466 - Malbork becomes the capital of the voivodeship
After the failure in the battle of Grunwald, in the summer of 1410, the first siege in the history of the fortress took place. The new Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen decided to burn the city and move the inhabitants to the castle. The siege lasted for two months, and although it failed, it proved the necessity of changing the defense system due to wider use of artillery. The stones were able to reach the castle and one of them seriously damaged the interior of the Summer Refectory. This was the source for a romantic legend. The event is authentic and confirmed by historians and restorers. The stone was embedded in the eastern wall of the Summer Refectory, as a symbol of persistent defense.
The reinforcements, especially those from the northern and eastern side, were rebuilt immediately after the retreat of the Polish army. In 1414 land fortifications, adjusted for the use of firearms, were raised. In late 1440s, along the outer shafts, concrete bastilles were built, enabling flank firing with the use of firearms.
In 1454 the fortress endured a second, 6-month siege. Again, Malbork could not be seized. After the failure in Chojnice the royal army retreats. In 1457 the castle is seized by Poles.
To be more specific, the castle is purchased from the enlisted army. The order had increasing financial difficulties at the time and was not able to disburse the soldiers' pay. For the considerable sum of 190 thousand Hungarian florins, on June 7th, king Casimir the Jagiellonian surrounded by his courtiers entered the castle thus beginning 315 years of Polish dominion in Malbork. The capital of the order was relocated to Królewiec. In September 1457, because of the betrayal of Malbork's mayor Bartholomaus Blume, the Order entered the city. This time the well thought fortification strategy turned against the army of the Order - the Polish crew successfully forced the attack back, but only after 3 years, in September 1460 reentered the city.
Unfortunately, the hostilities affected the architecture. Many buildings were destroyed, among others: the church, Artus Court and the City Hall.
After the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466, Malbork became the capital of the voivodeship. The Castle housed provincial and local offices. The Palace of the Grand Masters became the seat of Polish kings. One of the biggest Polish arsenals with a permanent 200-member crew was organized in the castle.
16th - 18th century
1626 - Swedish army seizes Malbork
1629 - land reinforcement system expansion
1772 - entering of the Prussian Army, the period of Prussian devastation of Frederick II
1812-13 - the Napoleonic army enters the castle, modernization of reinforcements
At the end of the 16th century another modification of the reinforcements of the Malbork fortress took place. During the Polish - Swedish wars Malbork was handed around several times. The Polish crew was not prepared for a siege and on July 19th 1626 the Swedish king Carl Gustav seized Malbork. During 1626-27 the Swedes fortify Malbork, constructing a row of land bastions on the southern and eastern side. The remains of several of them survived to this day (hill with the monument of H. Sienkiewicz). In 1629 another long row of reinforcements is created, including bastions, stars and redoubts. It blocks the area from the Sztumskie suburb to the sands. A camp for 10 thousand soldiers of the Swedish army was located On this secured terrain.
The fortifications of Malbork were modified depending on the political and economic situation of the consecutive owners. At the end of the 18th century, along with the alteration of the military doctrine, it has been revealed that the defense system of Malbork is old and destroyed. Further devastation occurred in 1772, when the armies of Prussia seized the power. In 1774 the city sold its last cannon, purchasing a fire pomp in exchange. The Napoleonic campaign finally stopped the process of Malbork's fortification devastation. Neglected walls with a sparse, poorly armed crew was all that remained from the fortress due to the war damages of the 17th century. The defensive Malbork transformed into a farming-economic city. In 1772 Malbork was seized by the Prussian army. Frederick II began his dominion from receiving a homage from the people in the Grand Refectory. Frederick's attitude towards the castle was practical. The castle was to endure hard times, called the period of Prussian devastation. The gothic arches were destroyed. The castle was transformed into military storages and barracks. In the Grand Refectory, the pride of the order's state, the army rode horses. The Palace of the Grand Masters was transformed into a weaver's manufacture. Many buildings were disassembled, among others: a part of Gdanisko, St. Bartholomew's chapel and the gate by the church of St. Lawrence. The disassembly was supervised by David Gilly. The devastation aroused the resistance of a significant part of the society, especially young people. Friedrich Gilly - the son of the disassembly designer, was the initiator of the protest. In 1804 the castle's disassembly is suspended.
During the Napoleonic wars Malbork is seized by the French. Their reign lasts until January 1813. During this time Malbork regains the status of a fortress, at the expense of the city's development. During the large scale modernization of the defense system the Hospital of the Holy Ghost, the fore-gate of the Mariacka Gate with the chapel and Piaskowa Gate were among others liquidated. The stay of the French army ruined the city. The debts were not paid until 1830.
19th - 20th century
1830 - beginning of the "romantic restoration"
1882-1921 - restoration of the Castle under the supervision of C. Steinbrecht
17 March 1945 - the soviet army seizes Malbork and hands it over to the People's Republic of Poland
1945-1950 - a branch of the Museum of the Polish Army
1961 - beginning of the Castle Museum in Malborku
1997 - the castle is placed on UNESCO World Heritage List
The period of romantic restoration begins. Simultaneously, the castle started gathering and exhibiting museum pieces. Only the methodic archeological and architectonic research of Conrad Steinbrecht allowed to restore the whole castle complex. During 1882-1921, on the basis of his sketches, the castle was reconstructed. After his death, his work was continued by his student Bernard Schmid until 1944. It is only because of the work of these two that the castle was restored as it was in the middle ages. The assumed program was executed nearly entirely, but was abandoned due to the approaching attack.
In June 1944 the command of the German army announced Malbork a fortress and manned it with the divisions of SS. The battles lasted from January to the beginnings of March 1945. As a result of the hostilities 50% of one of the most valuable monuments of defensive architecture in Europe was destroyed.
From June 1945 the castle was taken care of. During 1945-50 the Castel became a branch of the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw. In 1959 the Ministry of Arts and Culture devolved the authority over the castle upon the Management for Tourist Facilities.
From 1957 the castle is in the care of the Malbork division of the Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Society. Simultaneously conservational works are executed under the supervision of the Voivodship Conservator of Monuments in Gdańsk. In 1956 the Social Committee for Castle Restoration is created. On 1 January 1961 the Castle Museum in Malbork is created. The decision was quicken due to the fire of the western and northern wing roofs, which occurred on 7 September 1959. On 3 July 1965 an amber exhibition, which attracts tourists till this day, was opened in the partially restored eastern wing.
In December 1997 the Castle of Malbork was placed on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Several years ago, upon the consent of the city's authorities, a floating pontoon with a restaurant on board was placed opposite the most valuable fragment of the Malbork castle. The size and the mooring location of this object disturbed the harmony of the western panorama of the Malbork fortress, formed centuries ago. A cultural good - the western elevation of the Palace of the Grand Masters - protected by international laws, i.e. the World Heritage List has been spoiled by reckless administrative decisions. Every fan of souvenir photographs of the western panorama of the Malbork Castle has an ugly dominant of a pontoon-restaurant on his picture. Nothing can erase this ugly addition, a square peg in the round hole is imperishable.
From 2000, during the second part of July, an event called "The siege of Malbork" is held by the castle. It is a great tourist attraction. A middle-age crafts fair, a knight's, archer's and a crossbowman's tournament is held in Malbork at the time. A reenactment of the Polish and Lithuanian siege of 1410 is held in the afternoon on the dikes of von Plauen (eastern part of the castle). Knighthoods from entire Poland arrive to see "The siege..", foreign guests are not a rarity, thus the event is worth seeing.
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sources |
"Malbork - przewodnik - album" (Malbork - a Guidebook - an Album) M. Haftka |
Text thanks to: http://www.zamek.malbork.com.pl/