The Gothic Castles Route

To experience the Route of Gothic castles is a real treat, not just for enthusiasts of mediaeval culture and chivalrous ages. Besides castles, the vehicles to take us to the times of the Grand Master will be the numerous historical reconstructions, knights’ tournaments, concerts of old music, workshops and fairs.

The Pomeranian Voivodeship’s part of the Gothic Castles Route covers 7 sites. It is worth noting, however, that the Route continues into the Warmian-Masurian and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeships, comprising a total of 16 structures. Visiting the castles of Pomerania, which include the Castle in Malbork, considered the largest medieval castle complex in the world, and the world’s biggest  man-made brick building, will certainly encourage you to delve deeper into the history of Gothic castles in Poland.

The Castle in Malbork

The greatest brick fortress in the world. The former Capital of the Teutonic Order, since 1997 inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Built in the 14th Century, besieged without success by Władysław Jagiełło after the Battle of Grunwald, and a seat of starosts after the Thirteen Years’ War, it is one of the most significant tourist attractions in the whole of Poland.

Read more The Castle in Malbork

Zamek w Malborku, fot.Pomorskie Travel/M.Ochocki

Zamek w Malborku, fot.Pomorskie Travel/M.Ochocki

Malbork Castle, photo: Pomorskie Travel/M. Okhotsk

Malbork Castle, photo: Pomorskie Travel/M. Okhotsk

The Castle in Bytów

Situated in the centre of Bytów, it is one of the last Teutonic castles, finished in 1405. Renovated in the 16th Century, it was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and the Polish-Swedish wars. It has been rebuilt and made available to tourists, featuring the West-Kashubian Museum, a hotel, a restaurant, and a tourist information office. Seated on a hill overlooking the town, the castle can be seen from far away, picturesquely located amid lush greenery.

Castle in Bytów, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Castle in Bytów, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Bytów, tower of the church of St. Katarzyna, photo: BYtów City Hall

Bytów, tower of the church of St. Katarzyna, photo: BYtów City Hall

The Castle in Gniew

Built in the 14th Century by the Teutonic Knights on the left bank of the Vistula. It was damaged during the Thirteen Years’ War and the Swedish Wars, in the 17th Century it was renovated by the Starost of Gniew – Jan Sobieski, who was to become the King of Poland.

The castle was burnt down in 1921 and is currently in the process of being reconstructed. It is located on the Castle Hill and also comprises the “Pałac Marysieńki” Hotel. The castle is famous for its rich tourist package, which features historical shows and famous knights’ tournaments and battle stagings. There is also a museum – a branch of the Archaelogical Museum in Gdańsk.

Former seat of the Teutonic Order in Gniew. photo. Ł.Głowala, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Former seat of the Teutonic Order in Gniew. photo. Ł.Głowala, photo: Pomorskie Travel

Gniew, zamek, fot. Pomorskie Travel

Gniew, zamek, fot. Pomorskie Travel

The Castle in Kwidzyn

The castle-cathedral complex, which is the seat of the Bishops of the Chapter of Pomerania established in 1243, was built in the first half of the 14th Century. It served this function until 1551, and was subsequently damaged and rebuilt. Most of the original form of the building was renovated and recreated and it currently houses a museum. The building complex also features the cathedral church of St. John Evangelist.

Currently, the castle is the seat of the Museum - Branch of the Castle Museum in Malbork.

Zamek w Kwidzynie, fot. Pomorskie Travel/Mateusz Ochocki

Zamek w Kwidzynie, fot. Pomorskie Travel/Mateusz Ochocki

Permanent exhibition at the Castle Museum in Kwidzyn, photo: Pomorskie Travel/ M.Ochocki

Permanent exhibition at the Castle Museum in Kwidzyn, photo: Pomorskie Travel/ M.Ochocki

The Castle in Sztum

Located in the centre of Sztum, by the lake, it was a summer residence of the Grand Master. Some of the buildings and walls still stand.

Currently, the castle is the seat of the Museum - Branch of the Castle Museum in Malbork.

The Castle in Lębork

The good location on the main communication route of Pomerania from Szczecin to Gdańsk, the proximity of the Baltic Sea, created favorable conditions for establishing a settlement. On January 1, 1341, a location act was issued, under which Lębork received city rights from the hands of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Dietrich von Altenburg.

Immediately after the incorporation, the Order began to build the city, starting with the fortifications and the castle, which was the center of the military and economic administration of the mayor’s office. The oldest monuments include the remains of the city’s defensive walls (currently revitalized) with partially preserved shell towers from the 14th century, the Ivy Tower from the 14th century, a Teutonic castle from the second half of the 19th century. 14th century, church of st. James the Apostle from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries.

The castle is the seat of the district court.

Historical reconstructions and tournaments:

  • Malbork: “The Siege of Malbork”, Magic Malbork
  • Bytów: “The Great Knights’ Tournament of the Pomeranian Griffin”
  • Gniew: “The Tournament for Jan III Sobieski’s Sword”, “Vivat Vasa! The Polish-Swedish Battle”
  • The Sztum-Barlewice Plein-Air Painting Workshops,
  • “Live History Lessons” in Gniew.

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