albork Castle is one of the most outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The Castle complex consists of three sections: High Castle (the oldest, built in several stages spanning the 1272-1300 period); Middle Castle (1310 - ca. 1400) and Low, or Outer Castle (beginning of the 14th century - 1447).
High Castle, formerly a monastery, comprises a chapter house, a chapel: later converted into a church (1331-1344), St. Anne's sepulchral chapel, dormitories, a refectory, the living quarters of the treasurer, archives and warehouses. There is also a belfry, reconstructed in the 1960s.
n intricate road, with gates, a portcullis and a drawbridge over the wide and deep moat leads to Middle Castle to the north. Its western part, comprising the palace of the Grand Masters, later one of the residences of the Polish kings in the 1472-1772 period, is the most magnificent of the entire complex. Besides the private apartments, it is the Grand Vestibule and staircase, the splendid Winter and Summer Refectories which arose to the greatest admiration, with their stellar vaulting supported on single granite columns (1381-1390). Grand refectory (Knights' Hall), with a fascinating palm vaulting supported on three columns, is several decades earlier in origin. Such design was possible thanks to the architectural achievements of the previous centuries, such as those employed in English sacral architecture, notably the cathedral chapter-houses of the second half of the 14th century. The northern wing of the Middle Castle housed of the offices of the Grand Commander of the Order, and - during the period of Polish rule in Malbork - of the starost and burgrave, as well as the arsenal and armour stores. The eastern part comprises two-aisle guest-rooms for lay Knights of the Order and St. Bartholomew's Chapel. During the Polish rule in Malbork the High Castle came to serve economic and church functions. It was in Malbork that the Royal mint and the Royal Maritime Commission, sometimes called the first Polish maritime ministry, were setup. Nicolas Copernicus was a frequent visitor in Malbork.
he Low Castle, both under the Teutonic Knights and Polish rule, served auxiliary functions with its many workshops, barracks and stables. It was linked with the system of fortifications, towers, turrets, intramural spaces and moats encircling the entire Castle complex.
The restoration of the Castle from the damage inflicted by the Prussians and the many wars started in the 19th century. Its present shape is to great extent the result the result of the wide-ranging restoration effort carried out by the architect Konrad Steinbrecht in the years 1882-1922.
Renovation-cum-conservation work at Malbork was given a new lease of life in the 1960s and has been going o ever since. It is based on thorough historical and architectural studies. The Castle Museum, established in 1960, is expanding its collection of sculpture, painting, military accessories, artistic crafts (metalwork, amber, porcelain and Polish faience, glass, textiles), as well as coins, medals and architectural details.

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