Situated at the edge of a hill high above the swampy Nida valley, the castle in Nidzica was one of the strongest monastic procuratorial fortifications. BuiltIt was built of brick, with fieldstone in the lower floors, on a rectangular plan with sides of 13.3x61.5 meters. The main construction work on the fortress was carried out in 1370-1407. In 1409, on the eve of the outbreak of the Great War with Poland, the newly completed castle received a political promotion - henceforth the Teutonic procurator resided there. The Polish army, heading towards Grunwald, occupied the castle on 12.VII.1410, probably without a fight. The well-maintained, well-kept Teutonic stronghold now serves as a city center for business, culture and entertainment. The castle walls have given shelter to numerous institutions and initiatives. They house: Nidzica Land Museum with an ethnographic and historical exhibition, Nidzica Cultural Center, the Nidzica Knights' Comturia Brotherhood, Hieronim Surpski's Author's Gallery, a sculpture studio and the city library.
04.12.2007
