From the Żuławy region to the castle

Coming from Low Lands, a land, flat as a table, we see a large brick building rising in front of us. With the sword and the mission of Christianization, from the 13th century, the knights of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the German House in Jerusalem conquered the Prussians territories, where they built about 120 castles.

The one in Malbork, the largest and most impressive, was their main home. It was here that the grand master of the order lived, it was here that the most important decisions for the entire order corporation were made. From here great politics was conducted and great feasts were organized, from here the knights of Europe set out with the Teutonic Knights on expeditions against pagans.

Construction and defense – from the low castle to the high castle

Approaching from the river Nogat, we will see three main parts of the largest mud castle:

• the economic part – the low castle,
• the representative part – the middle castle
• the oldest one – the high castle

Access to it was defended by moats, drawbridges, gates and numerous observation points not very visible to us. Thanks to these safeguards, this fortress has never been conquered in combat. The bribing of mercenary troops by Jagiellonan King Casimir IV  caused Malbork bars to be raised and the gates to be open.

The castle was rebuilt from the ravages of war, but the original Gothic style can also be seen here. The bricks, fragments of the floor and elements of equipment that served the monks have survived.

The Great and Summer Refectory – the heart of knightly feasts

The Great Refectory with its amazing vaulting and heating holes in the floor will be remembered for a long time as a place of ceremonial feasts for over 400 guests. Right next to it, another surprise – the ceiling of the Summer Refectory which is supported by only one column. According to records, during the siege of Malbork in the 15th century, it was almost destroyed by a cannonball that flew right next to it. The ball is still embedded in the wall to this day.

Amber and weapons

The amber exhibition with caskets, altars, ornaments and contemporary products made of “Baltic gold” attracts attention for a long time, as the exhibition of weapons. On which the collection of weapons ranges from the medieval sword, pole and blunt weapons to pistols and hussars’ weapons. In the courtyard we can look into the eyes of four great masters. The history of their achievements is like the history of the Order in a nutshell.

The High Castle and its nooks and crannies

There is a well in the courtyard of the High Castle, and the ground floor houses a series of utility rooms: a brewery, a bakery, a kitchen, and warehouses. On the first floor, however, there were: a chapter house – refectory, a treasury, chambers of the important guests, dormitories or bedrooms, a church and a gdansker tower. Each of these rooms could be entered from the cloisters, used as communication routes.

Golden Gate

According to the monastic rule, the brothers had more fast days than meat days during the year. One of the fasting delicacies served at that time were beaver tails dipped in honey. During the visit, everyone who has been to the Castle will remember the figurine of a devil with a grimace on his face and wings, the famous signpost to Gdańsk. What was gdansker, it is worth finding out on the spot.

A visit to the chapter house and the church with the beautiful, original 13th-century Golden Gate will undoubtedly provide an unforgettable experience. Everyone will also remember the exhibition of Gothic sculpture in the former dormitory.

Pomeranian travel in time

The temporary exhibitions 2025

“Marienburg-Malbork. 1945. The End and the Beginning.”
The exhibition presents the history of the city in 1945, when the German Marienburg became the Polish Malbork. It focuses on the fate of people – both Poles and Germans – who experienced separations, losses, but also new beginnings. It includes a room dedicated to Stalag XXB with a reconstruction of the prisoners’ living conditions. The exhibition was created from a Polish-German perspective and is part of the celebrations marking the end of World War II and Malbork’s return to Poland.

“140 Years and 80 Years of the Fire Brigade in Malbork”
This exhibition commemorates 140 years of the Volunteer Fire Brigade in Marienburg and 80 years of the Professional Fire Brigade in Malbork. It presents the history of fire protection in the Malbork area, the development of the fire brigade, and its importance to the local community. In the museum garden, you can see an outdoor exhibition of historic firefighting equipment. The exhibition is available from June 1 to September 30.

“Eight Decades…”
This exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the Henryk Sienkiewicz High School in Malbork. It consists of three rooms, including one with a reconstruction of classrooms from the past and present. The aim is to honor the school’s history and inspire future generations. The exhibition is available from June 7 to April 30.