The German name of the city Riesenburg is sometimes translated as a city of giants, which is confirmed by the city coat of arms. The name Prabuty is of Prussian origin and can mean a place of permanent residence or come from the name of some kind of boss. The city surrounded by walls had three gates: Kwidzyn, Malbork and the so-called Pottery. In the middle of the market square there was a town hall, demolished after a fire in 1868.

In the 14th century, a parish church with a tower was built, modelled on the Kwidzyn cathedral. The life of Prabuty from the 14th to the 16th century was interrupted by epidemics, a great fire (1375) and Polish-Teutonic wars. After 1466, the city remained in the Order’s state (until 1525), in the Polish fief of Ducal Prussia (1525-1657), and then in the Duchy and (from 1701) the Kingdom of Prussia.

In the 16th century, Bishop Hiob von Dobeneck created a Renaissance mansion, library and scientific society in the castle. After the victory of the Reformation in 1525, Prince Albrecht Hohenzollern took over the castle, which became the seat of the starosts. Epidemics and fires (1628, 1688), as well as the Swedish wars and imposed contributions as well as the Napoleonic campaign had a negative impact on the development of the settlement.

From the 17th century, various formations of the Prussian army (cuirassiers, guard hussars, dragoons) stationed here. After the plebiscite won by the Germans in 1920, Prabuty remained in East Prussia. In January 1945, the Red Army burned the entire city centre and the cultural continuity came to an end and the population was completely replaced. Prabuty for the first time found itself within the borders of Poland, and the city was settled by the Poles, mainly from Eastern Borderlands.

Monuments of Prabuty

• Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Polish Church
• Ruins of the bishop’s castle
• The Gothic Cathedral of St. St. Wojciech
• Municipal water works, part of the Underground Route
• Roland Fountain
• Kwidzyn Gate, Hospital Gate