Castles of the Kaliningrad region

If you want to visit a real castle, visit a car tour of the "Teutonic Order Castles" in the Kaliningrad region, during which you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

The Teutons built about a hundred castles on the territory of modern Poland and the Kaliningrad region. They were used as defensive structures - strong walls sheltered soldiers and served as reliable protection during attacks. And in peacetime, the castles were a stationary placement of garrisons and a gathering point for the army. On the territory of each necessarily located a chapel, dining room, bedrooms, hospital, stables.

You'll see:

• Shaaken Castle is an order castle in the village of Nekrasovo. It was founded on the site of a Prussian fortress (Zoke, and later Shokin) around 1270. The castle was practically not damaged during the Great Patriotic War. After the war, the territory of the castle was used as a collective farm stable, which lasted until the early 1960s. He was then placed under housing. In the 1980s, only one family lived in the castle, which used still suitable for living premises. The lack of timely repairs led to the destruction of the castle building, and it turned into ruins. In the 2000s, restoration work began. Tours were held in the castle, a museum exposition was collected, medieval instruments of torture were exhibited, exotic animals were kept.

• Valdau Fortress is one of the three best preserved castles of the Kaliningrad region. The official mention of the construction of the fortress "Waldov" is marked in the chronicle for 1258. This name is based on the Balto-Slavic word “valdati”, which means “to own”. Therefore, “Valdau” can be translated into Russian as “Possession”. Now in the surviving wing of the castle there is a private museum, which is called “Valdav Castle”. The main building of the castle is in a partially destroyed state.

• Tapiau Castle is the oldest and only medieval castle in the region, where the buildings of the middle of the XIV century and frescoes, which are no longer left anywhere in Europe, have been preserved. The buildings of the castle, which have survived to this day, were erected in 1351. In addition to the founder of the Lancaster dynasty, Henry IV and who lived here, according to some accounts, in 1541, Nicholas Copernicus, in 1568, the first Duke of Prussia, Albrecht of Brandenburg, spent his last days in the castle - it was his country residence.

• Kirkha Arnau is a church located in the village of Rodniki, a monument of history and architecture, one of the oldest church buildings in the Kaliningrad region, founded in 1364.

• Nesselbek Castle is an exact copy of the fortress of the Teutonic Order, recreated according to ancient drawings and plans. During the construction of the castle, all the traditions of architecture of the medieval era were maintained. On the territory of the castle there are many opportunities to spend time interestingly. All visitors are given the chance to ride horses, look at collectible cold weapons, shoot with a bow, as well as try on real knightly armor.

Such a car tour of the “Teutonic Order Castles” in the Kaliningrad region with a private guide will make a strong impression on you and will be remembered for many years.

Not included tickets to the castle-museum 150p. per person, food