Działdowo Castle

The castle is already mentioned in the town's charter of 1344, and a caretaker appears in 1348. The castle house in the southeast is probably the oldest structure, the northeast wing dates from the 14th century. The castle was damaged in the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410. In the 15th century, the castle was also occupied by Polish troops or allied troops in 1414, 1442 and 1453, but always returned to the possession of the Order. During the Northern Wars, Soldau was the residence of Karl X. Gustav for several months in 1656. In 1676, the castle was renovated in Renaissance style, and the southwest wing was added. In the First and Second World Wars, it was damaged by Russian and Soviet troops respectively. The southwest wing is still largely preserved in its original state.

As was customary for Teutonic Order castles, the building was constructed on a square base, with a side length of approx. 46 m. Economic buildings, such as a mill and a brewery, were also housed there. Soldau was a small Teutonic Order castle, such as those that served as the seat of a caretaker or vogt. The castle consists of a main house, opposite which corner towers are arranged at the corners of the square inner courtyard. The typical arrangement of the three main rooms, chapel, refectory and caretaker's apartment on the first floor, may have been developed for the first time in Soldau. The narrow north tower has a square base, on which a cylindrical superstructure sat. The western wide tower did not protrude beyond the crown of the surrounding wall.