Magnificent Malbork

A most impressive site! We had heard that this castle was worth a visit - and being nearly castled-out at this stage the decision could have gone the other way! But we are so glad we came to Malbork. Any visit to Poland, if possible, ought to include Malbork.

Late afternoon but the largest gothic castle in the world is still looking magnificent. 

We arrived early and negotiated with the parking people for a good price for a day's parking ( the first parking place to want to do this!). 

Access to the castle was by a foot bridge over the Nogat River which provided a great view of the castle on the river side. 

Wandered around to the ticket office and bought our tickets and an English audio guide - and what a wonderful presentation. This took us around the whole site in just over four hours - but the time seemed to go so fast - much thanks to the audio presentation. 

What makes this castle so interesting is that it encapsulates most aspects of Polish history. The fortunes of the nation of Poland are integral to the fluctuating fortunes of Malborg Castle. 

The castle is considered to be a masterpiece of defensive and residential architecture. It is also the largest brick structure in the world build by human hands. It was one of many castles that were  a part of a system of strongholds of the Teutonic Knights, becoming the seat of the Grand-Master of the Order of Knights. It later became the residence of the kings of Poland. Later passing into the hands of the Prussians, back to the Poles and then in later years the Germans, the Russians and now back with the Poles. 

The castle came through WWII almost unscathed until 1945 when the Soviets caused great destruction to the eastern section of the castle. It has painstakingly been restored to it's near original state - and fortunately the last of these restorations were opened  just this year.

The eastern section in 1945 and 2016. 

The castle is also a very special museum too. It has great collections of a variety of items. The Amber Museum tells the story of amber and how it became the basis  of the wealth and trading power of the Teutonic Knights.

The arsenal has an elaborate collection of weaponary from the Middle Ages. 

The museum also holds a great collection of religious sculptures, both marble and wooden. 

And it goes on......

It has been interesting to see the merchant stalls around the castle - many of the items would be band in Australia- bows and arrows, sling shots, wooden swords and wooden knives etc. 

Our plan is to visit Gdansk early tomorrow so late this afternoon we drove  onto the village of  Cedrick Wielkie for our overnight stop. 

What a great day!

Some more pics from today:

The Great Refectory was in the middle ages the largest reception room of the Malbork fortress. This room is supported by three pillars and was built around 1340s. An absolute masterpiece!

A sculpture on the wall indicating where the medieval toilets were.

This marble statue of Jesus is considered to be one of the great treasures of Malbork.

Local bricks - made by hand!

A curious headstone in the Knights cemetery!

An ingenious heating  system appears around the castle!

Statues of four Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights. 

And another view as we approached by road this morning.