The History of Malbork Castle

In the early 13th century the Teutonic Order launched its first crusades to the territories around the central stretch of the River Nogat in order to convert the local inhabitants to Christianity. At the beginning of the 1280s the Teutonic Knights started building a castle here which they referred to as St. Mary's Stronghold (German Marienburg). In just under 30 years they had raised a quadrangular convent building complete with chapel, chapter house, dormitory, refectory, an enclosed courtyard and a bailey situated to the north. A long, high gallery was built leading from the south-west corner to the Danske or sewage-tower, which was also used for defence purposes.

Fragments from publications

The Great Masters of the Order of the Cross

The Beginnings On 14 September 1309 the Grand Master Siegfried von Feuchtwangen moved the Teutonic Order's headquarters to Malbork. Thus, the castle rose in rank to become capital of one of the most powerful states on the southern Baltic coast. It quickly became clear that the building was inadequately equipped for its new role.
The Thirteen Year War During the Thirteen Years' War, in June 1457, the Polish army seized Malbork. The running of the castle was taken over by a royal sub-prefect. Numerous inventories drawn up by court officials in the 16th and 17th centuries show how the function of various parts of the castle complex changed over the years.
In Polish Hands The castle complex which had been built and developed by the Teutonic Knights retained its original use under Polish rule. Enormous costs were, however, involved in the maintenance of this vast fortification and essential funds for this purpose were always lacking. Evidence of this can be found in the aforementioned inventories. One of the very first (dating from 1565) records the appearance of a crack in the north wall of the Great Refectory. This defect marked the beginning of a problem which was only recently fully resolved.
The Prussian Devastation In September 1772 Malbork was captured by Prussian troops. They took up residence in the High Castle within the barracks which had been set up there by a Polish infantry regiment in 1737-44. However, this accommodation proved too small and before long work on extending it began. The cloisters were bricked up and a gate leading out towards the town was added to the south wing.
The Restoration - C. Steinbrecht Plans to rebuild the castle began to be drawn up immediately after the retreat of Napoleonic troops from the town of Malbork. One of these projects was drafted in 1815 by the president of West Prussia, Theodor von Schön (1773-1856), who received official orders from the state chancellor, Prince Charles August von Hardenberg, instructing him to start the rebuilding programme. In 1816 a Malbork Castle Reconstruction Committee was formed (Schloß bauverwaltung Marienburg). The work started one year later, from the partial reconstruction of the eastern elevation, during which a 17^th century flight of stairs was demolished, and St. Catherine's chapel was reconstructed.
The Inter-World War Period Towards the end of June 1922, after forty years' work at Malbork Castle, Conrad Steinbrecht finally retired. His successor was the master builder Bernhard Schmid (1872-1947), who was also officially responsible for the care and protection of Eastern Prussia's historical monuments. It was under his supervision that the castle took on its final shape.
The Second World War The political situation in Germany during the 1930s also affected everyday life at the castle. On 1 May 1933 the flag of the Third Reich was hoisted above the principal tower. The fortress became a frequent venue for receptions attended by high ranking Nazi party officials. Events such as these led to plans being drafted in 1934 for an amphitheatre to be built on the east side of the castle.
The Post-War Period Polish civilian administration had already appeared in Malbork in April 1945, the last organised departure of any remaining Germans taking place in 1957. The late 1940s marked a period of systematic demolition of what was left of buildings in the Old Town.
The Museum Malbork Castle Museum was founded on 1 January 1961. The decision to create this museum was accelerated by a serious fire which had broken out on 7 September 1959 in the roofs of the west and north wings of the Middle Castle.

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Ryszard Rząd

Fragments from publications of the Malbork Castle Museum

A fragment from: The Power Elite of the City of Malbork during the Middle Ages. - The Malbork Castle Museum, 2004. Author: Wiesław Długokęcki.
A fragment from: Intelligence and Counterintelligence in the Nation of the Teutonic Order of Prussia. A Study of How Confidential Information was Obtained and Used During the Late Middle Ages. Malbork Castle Museum, 2004. Author: Sławomir Jóźwiak. (this fragment does not include annotations).
A fragment from: Arms and Colours During the Teutonic Period from the 13th Century to the Mid-16th Century - an Exhibition Guide. The Malbork Castle Museum, 2003. Author: Antoni R. Chodyński.
A fragment from: The Rule of the Order of the Hospital of St. Mary of the German House in Jerusalem / translation and commentary by Janusz Trupinda. - The Malbork Castle Museum, 2004, second edition.