I’ve frequently gone past this location while taking the train to Gdańsk. Yet, it never fell in my path until now. This time, it became my destination on the way further north. On the photo, you can see a glimpse of the Malbork Castle, an immense medieval Teutonic fortress in Northern Poland. Walking around its premises and making photos was three hours of pure leisure.

The Teutonic Order was founded in 1190 in Acre, which is now part of modern-day Israel, during the Third Crusade. Initially, the order participated in Crusades, providing medical assistance and support to Crusaders. However, it eventually became more militarized and engaged in military campaigns against non-Christian peoples, including Baltic pagans and Eastern European powers. In the Baltic region, it established and controlled a series of fortified castles and towns. The most famous of these was the Malbork Castle.