Malbork

Malbork is a city known mainly for tales and stories about the Teutonic Order, which activity in
contemporary Polish lands has permanently written down on the pages of history.

It is reminded by the extensive castle complex, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The castle, created in several stages since 1280, due to its size is a unique example of Gothic buildings, intended for residential and defensive purposes. Its panoramic view dominates the city, spreading the memory of the Middle Ages, and the location of the castle on the right bank of the Nogat gives the illusion of a monumental construction floating on the water.

Exploring the Area

The city of Malbork is located on a hill stretching over the river, south of the castle area. In the past, this had a fortifying effect and made the city a harder target to acquire. Unfortunately, it did not protect Malbork from attacks and invasions – it was alternately destroyed and rebuilt, depending on the spurt of history. After the Second World War, 80% of buildings in the Old Town were ruined. Unfortunately, instead of successively rebuilding the destruction, action was taken in the opposite direction – in the early 1950s, as a result of dismantling the remains and transferring construction material to the reconstruction of Warsaw, practically no building remained in the Old Town. The place of former buildings was occupied by unrepresented lumps, forming a socialist housing estate. Nowadays, the market in Malbork is gaining fresh energy thanks to the dynamically developing urban cultural and artistic scene. There are exhibitions, festivals and concerts held throughout the city. Many initiatives are inspired by the castle authorities themselves, such as the Malbork Old and Old Art Fair. Small buildings in the form of restaurants, cafes and local shops make Malbork slowly regain lost charm. The main attraction of the Market Square is the illuminated fountain, where in the evening there is a spectacle with a combination of music and changing colours. Equally spectacular is the night show of lights in the Castle, where with the help of musical and visual artistic means, the turbulent history of this place is told.

Eating and Drinking

There are over a dozen restaurants in Malbork, several of which are in close proximity to the Castle, and two are located on the Castle itself. In the city there are cozy cafes, ice cream parlors and pizzerias. Most restaurants offer a selection of dishes for vegetarians and vegans.

What to See and Do

The main purpose of trips to Malbork is the castle. It consists of three parts – the High Castle, the Middle Castle and the Lower Castle. From the outside, the castle resembles a huge stronghold, but entering it, you can fully appreciate the craftsmanship and artisanry of ancient builders. The Palace of the Grand Masters is especially richly decorated, at first serving as the seat of the masters of the Teutonic  Order, and then becoming the residence of Polish kings. The castle has a spectacular Royal Hall, one of the largest in medieval Europe – able to accommodate up to 400 people. Particular parts of the castle are connected by a drawbridge, which proves the preservation of the order and a thoughtful castle fortification system. In the oldest part of the stronghold there is a former chapel and church, to which the Golden Gate leads – an example of intricate art of decorative Gothic. The defensive character of the castle is reminiscent of solid walls, with guard and flanking towers surrounding them, from which ancient monastics have been looking out for enemies and friends arriving in the castle. In addition to the castle, the monuments characteristic of the city include the Old Town Hall, the City Hall, the Main Railway Station, the former gymnasium building, the Post Office complex and the medieval St. Mary’s Gate. Most of them are located in one line along the river bank. Visiting the city and the castle can be enriched by rafting on the Nogat, bicycle ride or walking along the county trail.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Malbork is not particularly developed, although you can choose from a full range of accommodation – hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and guest rooms. Most organized trips are limited to a one-day tour of the castle and the most popular attractions, for the night guaranteeing return to Gdańsk.

How to Get Around

The easiest way to get to Malbork from the Tri-City – Gdańsk, Gdynia or Sopot. The car route from Gdańsk is about 65 kilometers. Alternatively, you can use the rail transport – to get from the station to the castle, you need to cover about 2 kilometers.

Highlights

Malbork is the perfect place for you if:

• you are interested in the history of castles and forts;
• you like medieval architecture, and you enjoy the monuments viewing

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