Malbork Castle

Malbork Castle was originally built by the Teutonic Knights, a Catholic religious order, beginning in the 13th century. It was initially named Marienburg and served as the headquarters of the Teutonic Order to aid in their conquest of the pagan Old Prussians.

Malbork Castle is the largest castle in the world by land area, spanning over 52 acres. To properly explore the massive three-castle complex, visitors typically need to spend around three to four hours walking through the extensive brick fortifications.

The easiest way to reach the castle is by train from Gdansk Glowny station to Malbork, which takes roughly 45 to 50 minutes. From the Malbork train station, it is a pleasant 15-minute walk across the Nogat River directly to the castle entrance.

Yes, the castle was officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 due to its status as a prominent surviving example of a medieval Teutonic brick fortress. It is widely considered an architectural masterpiece of Gothic brick masonry.