Malbork Castle – the largest brick Gothic castle in the world | Poland
Updated June 10, 2026 by europeexplored
Red brick towers rise from the flatlands of northern Poland like a fever dream of the Middle Ages. Malbork Castle covers an area of over 21 hectares, making it the largest brick fortress ever built. The Teutonic Knights constructed this sprawling stronghold over several centuries, layering Gothic architecture with defensive ingenuity. Visitors cross drawbridges and pass through gatehouses that once repelled sieges. Inside, vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows reveal the wealth and ambition of the knightly order. The castle includes three separate sections: the High, Middle, and Low Castles, each serving different functions. The Amber Museum displays intricate carvings from the Baltic gold. Walking through these halls feels like stepping into a medieval epic.
Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork or simply Malbork Castle is the largest Gothic building in the world and the largest brick building in the world. It is located in Poland in the town of Malbork, on the southeastern bank of the river Nogat.
Malbork Castle by DerHexer
Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the former seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. The castle complex consists of three parts – Bottom castle, Middle castle and upper castle. Teutonic Knights started to build the castle in 1274. About 2 years later the settlement that arose here during the castle construction obtained city rights.
Between 1309-1457, the Malbork Castle was the seat of Grand Master. During the thirteen-year war (1454 – 1466) – known also as the War of the Cities, the castle was bought by the Casimir IV Jagiellon (Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440, and King of Poland from 1447 – until his death). Since then until 1772 the castle became one of the residences of Polish kings. Later on, during the wars with Sweden, Napoleonic wars and Poland splitting, the castle was damaged.
Reconstruction works began in 1817 and were completed in 1923. After that, during the World War II, the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork was occupied by the Nazis and during the fighting with the Red Army the half of the castle was destroyed.
After the war, the reconstructions started again, but have not been finished yet. Since 1997, the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork and its museum are included in UNESCO World heritage List.
The Amber Museum and the Castle Defensive Systems
The Amber Museum housed within Malbork Castle contains one of the world largest and most significant collections of amber artefacts, fitting for a region known as the Baltic Amber Coast. The museum displays over 2,000 pieces ranging from prehistoric amber inclusions containing perfectly preserved insects and plant fragments over 40 million years old, to elaborate Baroque-era amber cabinets, jewellery, and religious objects crafted by Gdansk master artisans. The highlight of the collection is the Amber Altarpiece, a intricate devotional work created in the 17th century that combines amber panels with gilded wood and semi-precious stones.
The defensive architecture of Malbork Castle is equally remarkable and warrants close examination during any visit. The fortress was designed as a concentric system of three distinct defensive rings, with the High Castle at the innermost core, surrounded by the Middle Castle, and finally the Outer Bailey. Each ring features high brick walls up to six metres thick at the base, defensive towers positioned at regular intervals for flanking fire, and fortified gates protected by drawbridges and portcullises. The moat system, fed by the Nogat River, added an additional layer of protection on three sides of the castle. Gdanisko towers, a unique feature of Teutonic castle design, projected outward from the main walls as both defensive positions and latrine towers. The entire defensive system was so effective that the castle withstood a two-month siege by Polish forces in 1410, falling only after the defenders supplies were exhausted rather than through any breach in the fortifications.
Guided Tours and Practical Visiting Tips from Gdansk
Visitors to Malbork Castle have three guided tour options that cater to different interests and time constraints. The standard route covers all three castle sections over approximately three hours, taking in the Grand Refectory, the Chapter House, the Golden Gate, the Amber Museum, and the castle kitchens. A shorter express tour focuses on the High and Middle Castles in ninety minutes, suitable for visitors with limited time or those combining the castle with other attractions. The third option is a night tour, available during summer months, where the castle interiors are lit by torchlight and guides recount ghost stories and legends from the Teutonic era. Audio guides are available in twelve languages, and the multilingual audio guide is included in the standard admission price, making it the most cost-effective way for independent travellers to explore at their own pace.
Malbork Castle sits approximately 60 kilometres southeast of Gdansk, making it an easy day trip from the city. Regional trains from Gdansk Glowny station to Malbork run hourly, with a journey time of about 50 minutes and a fare of roughly 20 zloty each way. The castle is a ten-minute walk from Malbork railway station, clearly signposted through the town. Practical visiting tips include arriving by 10:00 when the castle opens to avoid the largest tour groups, bringing water and comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves climbing numerous spiral staircases, and checking the castle website for seasonal opening hours as the winter schedule (November through March) has reduced hours. Photography without flash is permitted throughout most of the castle, but tripods require a special permit arranged in advance. The castle restaurant serves hearty Polish dishes including pierogi and żurek soup in a medieval-style dining hall that adds to the overall atmosphere of the experience.
Have you ever explored a medieval castle that felt like stepping back in time? 🏰
Explore more Poland travel guides.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like: