Balga Castle of the Teutonic Knights, Kaliningrad

Yotvingian-Prussian Settlement, Oszkinie, Poland (part 2 of 4)

The entire complex covers almost 8 hectares, and its attractions are diverse. A ritual stone pool, a reconstructed 11th-century Prussian stronghold, and temples of the elements are just some of them. Visitors can learn about Yotvingian and Prussian symbolism, beliefs, and customs.

A footbridge with three shelters spans the pond. A path leads across it to an observation tower.

#oszkinie #punsk #osada #prusy #jacwingowie #litwini #litwa #polska #krzyzacy #architektura #architekturadrewniana #settlement #prussia #yotvingians #lithuanians #lithuania #poland #crusaders #architecture #woodenarchitecture #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #YotvingianPrussianSettlement

Yotvingian-Prussian Settlement, Oszkinie, Poland (part 1 of 4)

The Yotvingians were one of the Baltic peoples (Balts) who inhabited the present Suwałki Region in the Middle Ages. These were the areas from Lake Wiżajny in the north to the Biebrza Valley in the south, from the eastern strip of the Great Masurian Lakes in the west to the Neman in the east.

The Yotvingians, along with the Prussians and Lithuanians, shared the fate of pagan tribes against whom Ruthenians, Poles and Teutonic Knights fought in the name (or rather under the pretext) of Christianization. The latter were famous for organizing so-called raids, or armed expeditions against pagan peoples (mainly Prussians and Lithuanians). The aim of these expeditions was plunder and… good fun. In addition to the Teutonic Knights, knights from Western Europe willingly participated in the raids, and the Order… operated like a well-organized travel agency offering entertainment and charging a large fee for participation.

The Yotvingian-Prussian settlement is located near Puńsk. It was founded by Petras Lukosevicius, who feels first and foremost a Prussian, then a Yotvingian, and finally a Lithuanian.

#oszkinie #punsk #osada #prusy #jacwingowie #litwini #litwa #polska #krzyzacy #architektura #architekturadrewniana #settlement #prussia #yotvingians #lithuanians #lithuania #poland #crusaders #architecture #woodenarchitecture #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #YotvingianPrussianSettlement

The Castle of the Teutonic Order, Nidzica, Poland

The construction of the castle began around 1370, and in 1409 a Teutonic prosecutor was already residing there. On 12 July 1410, the undefended castle was occupied by Polish troops advancing into the Teutonic state.

In 1454, the castle was occupied by the pro-Polish Prussian Confederation and in February 1455 it was handed over to Czech mercenaries led by Jan Kolda of Žampach, who repelled the invasion of the Teutonic troops on 28 April

In 1517, the castle’s outer bailey was expanded and fortified, but was destroyed by fire in 1784.

The castle was most damaged by French soldiers, who were stationed here intermittently in the years 1806–1812. The building, devastated by the Napoleons, was saved from total ruin by the court counselor Ferdynand Tymoteusz Gregorovius, an effective initiator of the reconstruction (1828–1830) of the medieval fortress for the purpose of serving as a courthouse, private apartments and a prison.

In 1945, the castle was not so lucky – it was bombed by the Russians and burned down, losing its ceilings and part of the walls. However, the decision was quickly made to rebuild it. In 1949, the building was cleared of rubble, and three years later, the first security works began. The full restoration of the monument, including the conservation of the preserved paintings in the chapel and refectory, began in 1961 and was completed in 1965, after which it was officially handed over to local cultural and social institutions.

Currently, the castle serves as the city’s center of business, culture and entertainment. It houses: the Museum of the Nidzica Region with an ethnographic and historical exhibition, the Nidzica Cultural Center, the Knights’ Brotherhood of the Nidzica Commandery, the Hieronim Surpski Author’s Gallery, a sculpture studio and a city library. There is also a hotel and a restaurant here.

#nidzica #zamek #castle #polska #poland #architecture #gothic #teutonicorder #teutonicknights

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁'𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 Archaeologists have discovered a rare medieval knight's tomb beneath a former ice cream parlor in Gdansk, Poland. The five-foot tombstone carved from Swedish limestone reveals exceptional craftsmanship and offers insights into medieval burial customs during the Teutonic period. #medieval #medievalhistory #TeutonicOrder #teutonicknights #knights #medievalknight

The Castle of the Teutonic Order, Gniew, Poland

The Gniew Castle is the most powerful fortress of the Teutonic Order on the left bank of the Vistula, built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries as the seat of the convent and the commander. During the times of the Order, it was the main political and economic centre of the commandery. During the times of the Polish state (1466–1772), the castle was the seat of the starosts. The starosty of Gniew belonged to the Radziwiłłs, Zamojskis and Lubomirskis. From 1667, the starost of Gniew was the future king of Poland, Jan III Sobieski, and after him the castle was managed by his wife, Maria Kazimiera.

As a result of the First Partition of Poland in 1772, Gniew, together with Gdańsk Pomerania, found itself within the borders of the Prussian state. The Prussian government began a large-scale demolition or, at best, a thorough reconstruction of most of the former Teutonic castles. The Gniew Castle also shared this fate. Initially intended as barracks, but completely unsuited to this function, it found a new use as a granary at the beginning of the 19th century. The castle underwent another reconstruction in the 1850s. At that time, it was adapted to serve as a harsh Prussian prison for recidivists. In 1921, a large fire broke out in the castle in unexplained circumstances, completely destroying three of its wings. The reconstruction took place in two stages. The first, in the years 1968–1974, and the second, from 1992, lasting to this day.

Since 2010, the Castle Hill in Gniew has been in private hands. Today, it is a modern hotel, restaurant and conference complex, offering its guests royal accommodation, exquisite cuisine and an extraordinary business space.

#gniew #zamek #castle #polska #poland #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #landscape #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #wieza #tower #towers

The Castle of the Pomesanian Chapter, Kwidzyn, Poland (part 2 of 2)

What distinguishes the castle in Kwidzyn from other castles is its characteristic, largest latrine in the world! The dansker, because that is what we are talking about, is a sanitary and defensive tower at the same time, it dates back to 1384 and is 25 meters high. It is connected to the rest of the castle by a pointed arch bridge supported by five brick pillars, under which a stream flowed throughout the Middle Ages, carrying everything that was needed.

The covered bridge leading from the dansker to the castle at the height of the first floor is 54 m long and houses an interesting ethnographic exhibition with material treasures of the Lower Powiśle. It tells about the Mennonites - the Dutch people who settled in Żuławy in the 16th century and were co-owners of this land until the end of World War II. Very hard-working, they contributed to the creation of a specific landscape here - architectural and cultural.

#kwidzyn #zamek #castle #gdanisko #dansker #kapitula #chapter #biskupstwo #bishopric #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur

The Castle of the Pomesanian Chapter, Kwidzyn, Poland (part 1 of 2)

Construction began at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. Most of the construction work on the castle was completed in the years 1340–1350, and in the 1380s, dansker was completed.

Initially, the castle was an independent structure, and only later was it connected to the cathedral, and its south-eastern corner tower was transformed into a bell tower. The completion of the new cathedral church is dated to the period of Bishop Jan Mönch’s rule (1377–1409). At that time, a unique architectural complex was created in Kwidzyn, which included two castles (bishops’ and chapters’), the cathedral and the town. The individual sections had their own fortifications, and connected by walls, they created a defensive system perfectly integrated into the natural conditions of the area. The castle became the seat of the Pomesanian chapter, as well as a religious and political-administrative center.

Under the provisions of the Second Peace of Toruń, Kwidzyn, together with the bishop’s dominion, was granted to the Teutonic Order. In 1478, Polish troops captured Kwidzyn. The townspeople took refuge in the chapter’s castle and set fire to the town. During the war, the castle was seriously damaged – during renovation works carried out in 1487, the damaged corner towers were demolished.

In 1520, as a result of further military operations, Polish troops completely destroyed the bishop’s castle and most likely damaged the chapter castle.

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#kwidzyn #zamek #castle #gdanisko #dansker #kapitula #chapter #biskupstwo #bishopric #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur

Courtyard of the Teutonic Castle in Sztum, Poland

The photo shows a view from the preserved part of the castle onto the courtyard with the 19th-century Prussian court building.

The castle, built by the Teutonic Order in the years 1326-1335, was intended to protect the route to the more important fortress in Malbork, which had been built earlier.

The stronghold was burned and recaptured by Polish troops heading for Grunwald in 1410. Then, as a result of the Thirteen Years’ War, the castle in Sztum became the seat of Polish starosts.

The most important history of the castle can be actually concluded in the 17th century. As a result of the Swedish wars, the castle was reduced to ruin. During the Deluge, it was destroyed by a two-hundred-strong Swedish force, and the ruins were additionally partially demolished by the Prussian authorities.

Two wings of the castle have survived to this day, along with the remains of the towers and the peripheral walls. They were rebuilt in the 19th century. In the most characteristic of them, you can see the stump of the prison tower. You can also admire the peripheral walls, the remains of the gate tower, and the courthouse and prison building added in the 19th century. The castle in Sztum, unlike other Teutonic strongholds, is not built on a quadrangle plan, but an irregular pentagon. This is related to the shape of the island on which it was located. The island between the Sztum and Barlewickie lakes provided natural protection.

#sztum #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #namiot #namioty #budynek #zabytek #sad #court #building #dziedziniec #courtyard

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

The best guarded part of the Malbork stronghold was the High Castle. Surrounded by two lines of walls and a moat, it was connected to the Middle Castle by a drawbridge. The High Castle was closed during the day. It was home to about 50 Teutonic brothers. The castle’s central point was a courtyard surrounded by cloisters with a well in the middle. The ground floor of the castle contained a kitchen, utility rooms and a cell for the most important prisoners. The first floor housed the monks’ rooms, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the chapter house and the treasury. The convent chamber was located even higher. Grain supplies were hidden in the attics, which were supposed to last two years of a potential siege. A 66-meter watchtower, which was also the church’s bell tower, towered over everything.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #wieza #tower #towers