"The world's largest medieval castle !" Top 5 Page for this destination Malbork by matcrazy1

Malbork Travel Guide: 258 reviews and 486 photos

Incredible virtual tour back to medieval times :-)

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YES, YES, there is no doubt: the castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the biggest medieval castle of the world!!!
I didn't know it when I went there but the first words of the castle's tourist guide were just as above !!!

And it's really a very huge castle. When you get lost inside numerous wings, corridors, undergrounds, courtyards etc. watch for ghosts hehe.

Standart tour with a guide lasts approx. 3 hours but if you are interested in history, architecture, castles and if you want to visit all 20 permanent and additional temporary exhibits hmmm... reserve 2 full days.

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Brief history

THE CASTLE OF THE TEUTONIC ORDER IN MALBORK

A fortified Teutonic Knights castle sited upon River Nogat started about 1270 to be completed in 1404.

1309 - 1457
In 1309 the castle became the seat of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights' Order which had its former residence in Venice, Italy now.

1457 - 1772
Part of Polish Royal Prussia

1772 - 1945
Part of German West Prussia

1945 - 1989
Part of Poland under Soviet communist regime

Since 1989
Independent Poland.

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Teutonic Order? What's that?

GHOST OR WHO ???

A religious military order founded about 1190 in the Holy Land by German crusaders that originally did charitable work among the sick and later fought against the Slavic and Baltic peoples in the eastward expansion of medieval Germany. Also called Teutonic Knights.

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FAQs = Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Little beds for little medieval people eh? (ATLC)
Hmm... maybe they were of Japanese (Asian) origin!
Btw beds in Eastern Europe are smaller than in Western (not mentioning the USA) ---> we have more children :-)))

2. Why aren't u dressed as a knight ?:) (IngaA); Reckon you should have had a photo taken in medieval costume - its the thing for VT'ers to do now :-)) (sandysmith)
Right. I saw a few crazy VT-ers (hmm... including you Sandy :-) in crazy costumes recently hehe, but:
- costumes of these two rich and famous knights were not for rent at least for me - poor serf;
- it seems that they didn't have any other clothes and any public nudity was unacceptable neither socially nor by medieval law. Have you ever seen any naked knight? :-)

3. Matt, is your statue among those of rich and famous knights? (andal13)
I just checked it in my mirror, hmm... yes, probably yes! But rich and famous knights? Sorry, I didn't know it, what a shame and no respect with my left hand in my pocket :-((((

4. The page is not as small as you claimed it is though! (janika)
Right! Sorry, but after my fantastic USA trip in April/May (38 days and over... 11,500 miles) I can't differentiate well what is big and small :-))

5. Why do the knights look like ghosts? (Kodi01):
Once upon a time I saw a ghost or rather a few ones at once but I was... under influence that time. I can't remember them. So, I don't know how do they look, do you know?

6. I was wondering ... when do you make 211 travel tips? Do you ever work, or sleep, or do other things? (myriam)
Ok: from 22 till 28 June 2003 mainly in the late evenings (= 30 tips a... night + 1 hehe).
As my ancestors are from the West and from the East I seem to have mixed genes:
I used to work fast, sleep short and use first quality equipment at work (West)
I used to do other things (don't ask me what my dirty eastern hemisphere of my brain thinks about, please :-) at daylight as well and even quite often, I suppose; I used to sleep at work... at least sometimes :-) (East).

7. LOVE the opening pic, Matt! It's soooo....well.....Monty Python-esque! (Geisha_Girl)
Sorry, I don't know this knight! Is (Sir?) Monty Python from Scotland or...?

8. Do you really expect an indoor pool in a historical site? (DanielF)
Hmm... didn't the rich and famous knights wash/swim in a pool? Hmm... right, they had a Nogat River.

9. Why your English is so poor on this page? (matcrazy1)
Do you want the whole list? OK, top 3:
- I was too lazy to learn more beautiful Shakespeare's language at school and university and I loved other things that time :-)
- each day there are less and less nervous cells in my brain (in your, too hehe) so, it's not so easy to learn English now,
- I don't like to make problems great VT English helpers.

10. TO BE CONTINUED till my candle die out !!!

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Pros and Cons

Pros:The world's biggest medieval castle, knights, ghosts :-) and shopping - NOT over-crowded (yet)
Cons:You must waste at least 3 candles to read this page :-). The Castle Museum is closed on Monday !!!
In a nutshell:Get lost in medieval castle! Watch for ghosts :-)))

Last visit to Malbork: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Jun 18, 2004
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Reviews (211)

Please stick it Favorites (13)

On the reverse side of a FOTO/VIDEO sticker there is written - what a surprise - IN ENGLISH hehe: "Please, stick it to... more travel advice

MAP ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THE TICKET - Malbork

Map is on your ticket! Favorites (13)

Look at the reverse side of your ticket. There is a scgematic (NOT detailed) map of the castle... in Polish only... more travel advice

My ticket Favorites (13)

I paid 22.00 PLN (tax included, as always in Poland) for my ticket which entitled me to visit the Castle Museum grounds,... more travel advice

Books and gifts Shopping (19)

You can by numerous publications (books, travel guides, maps) on Malbork, the castle and Teutonic Order in this store on... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (74)
See All Along the Nogat River
Transportation (5)
See All By ship from Scandinavia
Restaurants (10)
See All By Nogat River
Things to Do (57)
See All The walls

Local Customs (23)
See All Group photos!
Warnings and Dangers (6)
See All Steep and narrow stairs
Tourist Traps (2)
See All Prebook your guide
Hotels (2)
See All In medieval castle!

Travelogues (5)

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Comments (75)

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elpariente Feb 10, 2012 at 1:50 PM

You have worked very hard with an excellent result
Tips are very interesting and the photos very good
Thank you !!!
Gracias!!!!
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sihi Feb 18, 2011 at 12:41 PM

Castle is fantastic and city is beautiful. I visited it last year. When will you visit Estonia again? North-East Estonia:)
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hunterV Feb 11, 2010 at 8:43 AM

Hello, Maciek! Thanks for your amazing and witty description Take care! Glad for you!
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unaS Jun 29, 2009 at 12:40 PM

Ahh - Found the transportation tips. Lot so f good info, but how long is the trip from Warsaw or from Krakow? A full days trip I'm sure. ~ Looks like fun! I don't drive. Is there public transportation available to the Castle?
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DAO Jun 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM

Looks like a cool place to explore!
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RickinDutch Jun 30, 2008 at 11:09 AM

We went to Malbork in 1990 - very impressive.
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Feb 6, 2007 at 7:52 AM

I've finished... Fundamental work, Maciek! Upphh! I'd visit Malbork om my way home from Germany by car. But it'll take one more day... If only to combine it with Gdansk? 300 PLN for double is rather expensive. We usually pay 120-160...
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kryperla Nov 7, 2006 at 5:34 AM

it is not easy to get lost, very nice and hospital guides are responsible for security of tourists, even those that are not very smart.
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RoyJava Dec 27, 2005 at 3:05 PM

A super Malbork tribute to VT Matt,... the medieval times were a bit of magical, mysterious,... loved the happy and sad women sculptures ... *smile* Greetzzz RoyJava
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RafaelTheSecond Jun 8, 2005 at 3:35 AM

What a fantastic page of a fantastic traveller!!! :) Malbork will be for sure one destination point where I will put my flag!;)