Category (2)
Malbork
by Patryk S.
Malbork Castle was founded in 1274-1457 by Teutonic Order, a German Roman Catholic religious order. It consists of three separate castles - the High, Middle and Lower Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. It’s one of the biggest castles middle age’s castles in Europe.
Malbork Castle was built in Gothic architecture. It is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Gothic architecture is most familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, town halls, guild halls, universities and to a less prominent extent, private dwellings.
Most Gothic buildings in Poland are made of brick, and belong to the Baltic Bric Gothic, especially in northern Poland
It was first named Marienburg after the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Order. Since 1945, when it became part of the nation of Poland after World War II, it has been called Malbork.
In 1410, after the Battle of Grunwald, castle was besieged by the armies of Władysław II Jagiełło and Vytautas the Great
in 1456, during the Thirteen Years' War castle was sold to polish king Kazimierz Jagiellończyk for 190 florins.
During the Thirty Years' War, in 1626 and 1629 Swedish forces occupied the castle. They invaded and occupied it again 1656 to 1660 during the Northern Wars.
After Prussia and the Russian Empire made the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the town became part of the Kingdom of Prussia province of West Prussia. At that time, the officials used the rather neglected castle as a poorhouse and barracks for the Prussian Army.
In 1945 during World War II combat in the area, more than half the castle was destroyed. At the conclusion of the war, the city of Marienburg and castle became part of Poland. A fire in 1959 caused further damage.
During siege of Malbork started 10 days after Battle of Grunwald in 1410 Happened something interesting. Armies of Jagiełło didn’t have enough infantry to storm such a big fortress. They blocked supply of food and started artillery fire with hope defenders will surrender. Plan of Teutonic fortress was widely known and they knew about the specific design of the Summer Refectory. With a single pillar holding ceiling, it could become a tomb for all the elders of Teutonic order, without which the defense of the castle would not be possible. They brought great bombard and when in the Summer Refectory daily meeting took place, the polish agent showed cap in the window that was a sign for servant of bombard. Unfortunately ball missed the pillar. After that Henry von Plauen was talking it was miracle and God won’t allow to capture the castle.
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