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ul. Zamkowa 1, Brodnica
The Teutonic castle in Brodnica is the most important historic building of this town on the Drwęca river, in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. It was raised as the seat of the Brodnica commander, and construction began at the end of the 13th century. Fragments of the residential wings have survived to this day, along with the slender main tower that rises above the old town and is visible from afar.
The greatest attraction is the climb up the tower to the viewing terrace in its upper part. From there a panorama opens over Brodnica, the Drwęca valley and the surrounding forests and lakes. The stronghold was laid out on a plan close to a square — four wings enclosed an inner courtyard, and the brick tower stood about fifty metres tall.
At courtyard level attention is drawn to the surviving details of the brickwork, the pointed-arch openings and the thickness of the walls, which clearly show the defensive character of the complex. The site is cared for by the Brodnica museum, which organises exhibitions and events here.
For decades Brodnica lay on the border between Polish and Teutonic influence, so the castle changed hands many times. After the town returned to the Polish Crown, royal starosts resided here, and during the 17th-century wars with Sweden the complex was captured and damaged. A century later the walls served as barracks, and today's shape of the monument is more a picturesque remnant than a complete fortress.
It is a good stop for families with children and lovers of medieval architecture — a visit takes less than an hour and is easy to combine with a walk around Brodnica's old town. Nearby stretches the Brodnica Landscape Park with its lakes and the popular Drwęca canoe route, which makes Brodnica a convenient base for a longer stay.
