The city of Malbork is located in Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland.

1. Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork MultilateralSchoolPartnerships„ShowingOurWorldHeritage”Comenius 2013 - 2015Italy, 2014

2. The city of Malbork islocatedinPomeranianVoivodeshipin Poland. Both the castle and the townwere named after theirsaintpatron, the Virgin Mary.Malbork lies on the Nogat River (Vistula'sarm) and is dominated by a Teutonic 13th centurycastlewhich was inscribed on UNESCO'sWorldHeritage List in 1997. The Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork is the largestcastle in the world by surface area, and the largest brickbuilding in Europe.

3. Thelocation of thecastle Thedefence center of Malbork was builtin a place of unique natural defensivecapabilities. It was built on the northern end of thenarrowpeninsula, surrounded by thebothsides by theriver Nogat and an extensivemarshyvalley. Only by thesouthsidethereexistedconveniententrance, which was limited by buildingthecentre of defensivewalls and moats. Thehighestlandmark was locatedin a place of modern High Castle. Hereexactly, in 1278, theTeutonicOrder’sknightsbegunraisingthecastle.

4. TheTeutonicKnights TheTeutonicKnightsortheTeutonic Order of theHospital of St. Mary inJerusalem, wereknownin Poland as Krzyżacy on account of theblack cross theywore on theirwhitecoats. Establishedin 1190 to protect German pilgrimsinthe Holy Land, the order was latertransformedin order to fightheretics. In 1226 theTeutonicKnightscame to Chełmno in Poland, invited by Duke Konrad I of Mazovia to convertthepaganPrussians. TheyconqueredPrussia, exterminatedthelocals and founded a state with Malbork as its capital.

5. History 1278 – 1309 thebuilding of thecastle In 1278 theTeutonicKnightsstarted to build a castle and an adjacenttown on a high Nogat bank. Within less than 30 years a squareconvent house was completed. When, in 1309, the Grand Master transferred his headquartersfromVenice to Malbork, itbecamethe capital of one of the most powerful states on the Baltic's southern coast.

6. 1309 - 1457 Theresidence of TeutonicKnights Malbork Castle, becoming the headquarters of the Grand Master and the Chapter of the Order, received the grand design of sculpture and painting. Castle testified about the power of Order and were supposed to impress guests from Western Europe. In the Castle Museum of Malbork, you can find among others: • High Castle • St. Anna Chapel • Chapterhouse • Dormitories • Castle Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary • The refectory of the Convention • Middle Castle • Great Refectory • A medieval heating system • An exhibition of weapons and armaments • The cellars under the Palace of the • Grand Masters • An exhibition of amber: Halberd Hall • Palace of Grand Masters

7. 1457 - 1772 Theresidence of Polishkings Duringthethirteenyears' war thecomplex was sold to thePolish king – Kazimierz Jagiellończyk by theprize of 660 kilogrammes of gold. On the 7th of June 1457 theemperorwith his company arrived to thecastle. In 1618, thecastlechurch was takenover by Jesuits and lateritsinside was renovatedinbaroque style. In 1626, thecastle was attacked and canqered by theSwedisharmy. However, ten yearslatertheoccupantsleftthecomplex and itbecametheresidence of Polishkingsagain. Therenovatedcastle’sroof was burnt inthefollowingyears. However, inthe years of August II’sreignit was repaired.13th September 1772 the castle was takenover by Prussians.

8. Laterevents Overtakingthecastle by Prussianscausedsignificant deterioration of the castle – almostall of thegothicceilingsweredestroyed, a lot of gates and wallsweredemolished on purpose of gainingtimber. In 1817 there was made a decisionaboutreconstruction of thecastlewhichtookabout 120 years. Duringthesecondworld war about 50% of renovatedcastle was demolished, thereforeaftertheending of theconflict, peoplestartedconsideringdemolition of thewholecomplex. However, thedecision was changed and another reconstruction of thecastlehas begun. Nowconservatorsalsoare trying to restoreitsmedivial apperance.

9. 1997UNESCO Heritage List Malbork Castle, a symbol of power and cultural tradition, is the most important monument to the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights, a unique phenomenon in the history of western civilization. The Castle is at the same time the major material manifestation of the Crusades in eastern Europe, the forced baptism of the Baltic people, and the colonization of their tribal territories, which played a vital role in the history of Europe.

10. Castle’smuseum Thecastlein Malbork isopen for tourists, therearealsoorganisatedevents of many kinds: • Knight’sbattlesshows; • visitthecastleatnight; • historicalgames;

11. movieadventure; • hall rental; • visitthecastlewith a Polishor an Englishguide

12. Elaboration: • Martyna Sobczak, 1d • Agata Bielenica, 1d • Julia Zamojska, 1c • Cooperation: • Małgorzata Kosińska - Project coordinator, Englishteacher (text & translation) • Bogumiła Bajbak- Ąrtteacher (project) • Nicolaus Copernicus Middle School • no. 2. in Olecko Sources: • www.en.wikipedia.org • www.malbork7.pl • www.zamek.malbork.pl • www.zamek.malbork.com.pl • www.malbork.naszemiasto.pl • www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malbork_Castle • www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN1_-_m7ysA • www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrXgj1NwN8