Człuchów Castle

Looking at the red tower above the lake, it is hard to guess that Człuchów once had the second-largest castle of the Teutonic Order – only Malbork was bigger. Of the fortress where Konrad von Wallenrode and other knights resided, the main tower over 50 metres high and stone walls survive, and a museum occupies the rebuilt part.

History: a stronghold that held out

The Teutonic Knights bought Człuchów after taking Gdańsk Pomerania and in 1312–1365 built a castle here to guard the route from Germany to Prussia. Polish troops besieged it in vain in 1414 and 1433. In 1454 royal forces took it over, and for more than three centuries it was the seat of royal governors – among them members of the Wejher, Sanguszko and Radziwiłł families. During the Swedish invasion of the 1650s the Swedes captured it only in winter, by crossing the frozen lake.

After the First Partition of Poland the castle passed to Prussia. When fires in 1786 and 1793 destroyed the wooden town, the king allowed the castle to be dismantled for building material. Demolition went on until 1811, when the ruins were placed under protection. In 1826–1828 a neo-Gothic Protestant church was built on the site of the High Castle chapel, its design corrected by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

What to see

• the bergfried-type tower with walls up to 5 metres thick – originally its only entrance was 16 metres above the ground, from the attic of the neighbouring wing,
• the High Castle courtyard with the exposed cellars of the former wings,
• the stone walls of the outer baileys, surrounded by a lakeside park,
• the museum exhibitions in the former Protestant church – home of the Regional Museum since 2013.

How it was built

The High Castle stood on a square plan 47.5 metres per side, with four wings around a courtyard and a tower in the north-west corner. It held dormitories, refectories and a chapel for the knight-brothers and priests. Nearest the town lay the western bailey with the main entrance, stables, armoury and granaries. In the 17th century a governors' palace was built in the northern bailey, while the largest, eastern bailey held farm buildings. Drawbridges over moats linked the parts. When the castle was adapted as a museum in 2008–2015, lifts were installed, so the exhibitions are also accessible to visitors with disabilities.

Interesting facts

• The castle consisted of four parts, each able to defend itself independently. Altogether it had 11 gates and 9 towers.
• Archaeological excavations since 2008 have produced about 200,000 finds, including a papal bull of Gregory XI.

Tripto tip

Allow 1–2 hours for the museum and tower. A standard ticket costs PLN 20, reduced PLN 15, and an audio guide in Polish, English or German PLN 8. On Tuesdays entry to the permanent exhibitions is free, but this does not include the tower. The best view of the castle is from the lakeshore – take the path through the park around the castle hill. Opening hours differ between the summer and winter seasons.