Zamek Bierzgłowski

Poland, Poland

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Zamek Bierzgłowski, located near Toruń in Poland, is one of the oldest Teutonic castles, built starting around 1260 on the site of a Prussian fort captured by the Knights in 1236, initially using fieldstone for the high castle and extensive outer bailey before transitioning to brick by 1280 with features like a Gothic tympanum.

It served as the seat of Bierzgłowski commanders from 1386-1415, endured a 1270-1271 Jaćwingi attack led by Skomand where Commander Arnold von Kropf slew their leader, was briefly captured by Polish knights after Grunwald in 1410, and partially demolished in 1454 during the Thirteen Years' War on King Kazimierz Jagiellończyk's orders.

After passing to Polish control in 1466 via Jan Czigenhalz and then Toruń city in 1474, it suffered 16th-century fires but was rebuilt in Neogothic style in 1860, early 20th century, and interwar period, now functioning as the Diocesan Cultural Center of the Toruń Diocese.