Dobellus Duży Lake, Poland

The reservoir has a surface area of ​​0.042 km². Its maximum width is 430 m and its length is 100 m. It is an example of a ribbon lake of glacial origin.

The second lake, Dobellus Mały, is located nearby. Both lakes formed in clearly defined depressions resulting from the action of a glacier approximately 12,000 years ago.

On the eastern shore of the reservoir, there are shelters and a pier. An observation tower was built nearby. From its terrace, you can admire panoramic views of both lakes, as well as the bridges in Stańczyki. It was from there that I took this photo. :)

#jezioro #lake #natura #nature #woda #water #las #forest #suwalszczyzna #warminskomazurskie #widok #landscape #polska #poland #observationdeck #wieza

The Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania

The Cathedral Square in Vilnius is the historic heart of the city and one of the most important places in Lithuania. It was established in the 19th century on the site of the former Lower Castle buildings — today, lines made of red granite slabs on the square mark the course of the old defensive walls, and four granite blocks symbolize the former gate of the residence of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. In pagan times, this area was known as the Sacred Horn Valley, a place of worship for Perkunas, which is commemorated by the name of the nearby Šventaragio Street.

The main dominant feature of the square is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Wenceslaus — a religious and historical symbol, the burial place of Lithuanian dukes and King Alexander Jagiellon of Poland. The cathedral itself was built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple. Next to the cathedral stands a powerful 57-meter-high bell tower, formerly a tower of the city walls, now a recognizable landmark of Vilnius.

Cathedral Square is not only a place for state and religious ceremonies — it has hosted the famous Kaziukas fairs, displays the largest Christmas tree in the city, and welcomes many Vilnius residents for New Year’s Eve celebrations. It is also the backdrop for important historical events — in 1989, the Baltic Chain, a peaceful protest against Soviet occupation, began here.

You will also find the famous “Stebuklas” (“Miracle”) tile here — according to legend, touching it grants wishes; all you have to do is stand on it, make a wish, and turn around three times. Cathedral Square enchants with both history and a magical atmosphere, blending Lithuania’s past with legends and modernity.

#wilno #vilnius #plac #plackatedralny #square #cathedralsquare #marketsquare #wieza #tower #dzwonnica #belltower #katedra #cathedral #bazylika #basilica #miasto #city #litwa #lithuania #lietuva #architektura #architecture #photo #photography

Castle in Kaunas, Lithuania (part 2 of 2)

After the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, the castle lost its strategic importance and served primarily administrative and judicial functions. In the 16th century, it was expanded, including the addition of a bastion on the southeastern side. In the 17th century, floods and warfare caused further destruction. In 1655, the town and castle burned down during the Swedish invasion, and the building ultimately fell into ruin.

Until the 18th century, the castle served as a prison, and after the Third Partition of Poland, the Russians allowed houses to be built on its grounds, further exacerbating the damage.

The castle’s location next to the flooding Neris River contributed to the collapse of sections of the walls. Only parts of the structure survive today, including a four-sided tower, wall fragments, and a bastion from the 16th century.

Archaeological and conservation work was carried out in the 20th and 21st centuries, and between 2010 and 2011, a reconstruction project was carried out, including the reconstruction of part of the tower and walls.

Currently, the castle houses a branch of the Kaunas City Museum, and the building itself is a venue for numerous cultural events, festivals and knightly tournaments, constituting one of the city’s main tourist attractions.

#kowno #kauno #kaunas #litwa #lithuania #zamek #castle #pilis #wieza #tower #baszta #pogon #vytis #miasto #city #widok #landscape #historia #history

Castle in Kaunas, Lithuania (part 1 of 2)

Kaunas Castle is considered the oldest stone castle in Lithuania, and also the only preserved one with two lines of defensive walls.

The first stone castle was built in an uninhabited area at the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers, around the mid-14th century, as part of a fortification system protecting Vilnius and Trakai from the Teutonic Knights. It was an irregular quadrilateral structure with reinforced double stone walls, measuring 330 meters in length, and included two towers.

First mentioned in Teutonic sources in 1361, the castle was captured and almost completely destroyed after a three-week siege by the Teutonic Knights in 1362, who used catapults and siege towers.

After the Teutonic Knights withdrew, the Lithuanians built earthen fortifications on the spot, followed by a new stone castle. Further battles and sieges in the 14th century, including in 1384 and 1391, led to the destruction and rebuilding of the stronghold. Around 1396, the castle already belonged to the Teutonic Knights, who expanded it as a base for their campaigns.

The castle changed hands several more times as a result of armed conflicts. In 1396, an armistice was signed within its walls between the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and Vytautas, after which Kaunas became a border town near the territory of Samogitia, which was under Teutonic rule.

#kowno #kauno #kaunas #litwa #lithuania #zamek #castle #pilis #wieza #tower #baszta #pogon #vytis #miasto #city #widok #landscape #historia #history

Kapsuła czasu wróciła na wieżę legnickiej katedry https://www.legnica.net/aktualnosci/kapsula-czasu-wrocila-na-wieze-legnickiej-katedry/?feed_id=1906&_unique_id=68ce6b110d9dc #2025 #AndrzejSiemieniewski #depozyt #dokumenty #historia #kapsułaczasu #katedra #Legnica #MaciejKupaj #monety #pamiątki #przyszłość” #remont #wieża
https://www.legnica.net/aktualnosci/kapsula-czasu-wrocila-na-wieze-legnickiej-katedry/?feed_id=1906&_unique_id=68ce6b110d9dc

#gorzowwielkopolski #gorzowwlkp #gorzow #lubuskie #polska #poland #polen #wieża #tower #kościół #church #kirche #architektura #architecture #architektura

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 Market Gate, Elbląg, Poland

Built in the 14th century as one of nine gates in the city’s now-defunct fortifications, the building is one of the most valuable and recognizable buildings in Elbląg. The 26-meter-high Market Gate can be admired from the outside, and in the summer season (from May to September) you can also go inside. It is definitely worth doing so, as a viewing terrace was built in its upper part, from which there is a beautiful panorama of the Old Town.

#elblag #miasto #city #town #staremiasto #oldtown #ulica #street #wieza #tower #brama #gate #citygate #towngate #architektura #architecture #widok #view #krajobraz #landscape

St. Nicholas Cathedral, Elbląg, Poland

It is one of the oldest religious buildings in Elbląg and one of the highest temples in Poland. The tower itself is 97 m high, and the viewing terrace is located at about 70 m. To get to the terrace, you have to climb 365 stairs. However the beautiful views at the top, along with the panorama of Elbląg and the surrounding area, compensate for all the effort! :)

#elblag #miasto #city #town #plac #townsquare #marketsquare #ulica #street #church #kosciol #wieza #tower #architektura #architecture #widok #view #krajobraz #landscape #dzwonnica #belltower

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