Castles

Teutonic Castle in Szczytno

By Lake Domowe Duże in Szczytno survive the ruins of a Teutonic castle whose history goes back to the 13th century. Next to them rises a monumental town hall of 1936–1937 modelled on medieval fortresses, so the town centre still looks as if it had stepped out of a historical novel.

Watchtower, castle, hunting residence

Originally a wooden order watchtower stood here; around the mid-14th century Kiejstut burned it down and raised a stone stronghold in its place. The first written mention of the castle, then called Ortelsburg, comes from 1360. The castle was the seat of a Teutonic procurator; after the secularisation of the order's state in 1525 it lost its defensive role, and in 1579–1581 it was rebuilt as a hunting residence of Prussian Duke George Frederick. From the mid-18th century it stood empty and gradually fell into ruin.

Ruin, town hall and Sienkiewicz

In 1925–1948 the preserved wings housed a regional museum, and in 1936–1937 a town hall rose on the former outer bailey — today it holds the Masurian Museum, a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. A scene of The Knights of the Cross is tied to the castle: it was here that Henryk Sienkiewicz imprisoned Danusia, and Jurand of Spychów had to humble himself before the gate. In memory of this, the square by the town hall bears Jurand's name.

Practical information

The ruins stand at Sienkiewicz and Spacerowa streets, and a public beach stretches right by the walls — in summer a visit combines easily with a rest by the water.