Malbork Castle is the medieval castle in Poland known as the largest brick castle in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle was founded in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order, a German Catholic military order. Originally called Marienburg, it became the order’s headquarters in 1309 and expanded into a vast fortress complex of High, Middle, and Lower Castles along the Nogat River.
Malbork changed hands after the Thirteen Years’ War and became a Polish royal residence in 1457. Although damaged and neglected at various times, it was restored extensively, especially after destruction during World War II. UNESCO listed the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork in 1997.
A common mix-up is confusing “largest brick castle” with the largest castle by every possible measurement. Malbork is also often described as the world’s largest castle by land area, while its defining architectural distinction is its enormous brick Gothic construction.