Ostróda

Teutonic Castle

At the beginning of the 14th century, north of the current location of the castle, there was the first prosecutor's stronghold, situated in the fork of the Drwęca River, which at that time flowed into Lake Drwęckie in two branches. The first mentions of this building date back to around 1300. It was probably a wooden and earth structure, which was subject to the jurisdiction of the commander from Dzierzgoń. In the years 1349–1370, during the time of the Ostróda commander Günter von Hohenstein, a new fortification was built next to the older stronghold. Günter von Hohenstein, known for building castles in Olsztynek and Świecie, among other things, initiated its construction.

After the Battle of Grunwald, on 18 or 19 July 1410, the castle was captured by the Prussian knight Mikołaj von Doringen and handed over to the Polish army. However, on October 3 of that year, the Teutonic Knights, under the command of Mikołaj z Leśniew, regained the castle. During the Thirteen Years' War, in 1454, the fortress was captured by the Prussian Union, but in September of the same year, the Teutonic Knights managed to recapture it. During the Prussian War, in January 1520, Polish troops tried unsuccessfully to capture the castle.

In the years 1621-1639, Ostróda Castle became a place of exile for the Duke of Brzesko, John Christian, and after his death, his son, Christian, lived there.

In 1807, from February 21 to April 1, Napoleon stayed at the castle. Then, from April, the French marshal Louis-Nicolas Davoût lived there. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle was badly disfigured by numerous alterations. During World War II, the building was damaged, and in 1945, after the occupation of Ostróda by the Red Army, the castle burned down completely.

The reconstruction of the castle began only in 1974 and lasted until 1996. However, during the reconstruction, the plan to rebuild the cloister in the southern wing was not implemented. Currently, the castle serves as a cultural center, and houses a gallery, library, and museum.

Printing, framing of works, photo files: marcinciak.picsell.eu/gallery/625