Regensburg Cathedral, Germany (2023)

Inside the majestic Regensburg Cathedral ️ – a Gothic masterpiece from the 13th century, renowned for its intricate detail and historical significance in southern Germany.

[: Leica Q]

#Regensburg #Dom #Cathedral #Germany #church #architecture #gothic #photography #architecturephotography #historic #leica #lightandshadow #gothicarchitecture #church #churchphotography #travelphotography

The Castle of the Pomesanian Chapter, Kwidzyn, Poland (part 2 of 2)

What distinguishes the castle in Kwidzyn from other castles is its characteristic, largest latrine in the world! The dansker, because that is what we are talking about, is a sanitary and defensive tower at the same time, it dates back to 1384 and is 25 meters high. It is connected to the rest of the castle by a pointed arch bridge supported by five brick pillars, under which a stream flowed throughout the Middle Ages, carrying everything that was needed.

The covered bridge leading from the dansker to the castle at the height of the first floor is 54 m long and houses an interesting ethnographic exhibition with material treasures of the Lower Powiśle. It tells about the Mennonites - the Dutch people who settled in Żuławy in the 16th century and were co-owners of this land until the end of World War II. Very hard-working, they contributed to the creation of a specific landscape here - architectural and cultural.

#kwidzyn #zamek #castle #gdanisko #dansker #kapitula #chapter #biskupstwo #bishopric #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur

I stand before the high altar of the Wittenberg Castle Church, where light dances through colorful stained glass and the stone figures glow in its shine. The Gothic arches frame the scene, and solemn silence fills the space. In this sacred atmosphere, I feel deeply moved by history and reverence.

Ich stehe vor dem Hochaltar der Wittenberger Schlosskirche, wo das Licht durch bunte Glasfenster tanzt und die steinernen Skulpturen im Schein erstrahlen. Die gotischen Spitzbögen rahmen das Relief, während feierliche Stille den Raum durchdringt. In diesem Ambiente fühle ich mich ergriffen von Geschichte und Andacht.

\#Wittenberg #CastleChurch #Lutherstadt #GothicArchitecture #StainedGlass #ChurchInterior #HistoricalPlaces #SpiritualJourney #SacredArt #ReformationHeritage

9 Hilarious Gargoyle Statues: Medieval Humor!

Discover 9 remarkable gargoyle statues that blend medieval humor with Gothic artistry and functionality. Explore the fascinating history and unique designs of these iconic sculptures.

https://streetartutopia.com/2025/04/04/medieval-humor-9-astonishing-gargoyle-statues-a-blend-of-art-and-functionality-in-gothic-architecture/

9 Hilarious Gargoyle Statues: Medieval Humor Hidden in Gothic Architecture

Discover 9 remarkable gargoyle statues that blend medieval humor with Gothic artistry and functionality. Explore the fascinating history and unique designs of these iconic sculptures.

https://streetartutopia.com/2025/03/31/medieval-humor-9-astonishing-gargoyle-statues-a-blend-of-art-and-functionality-in-gothic-architecture/

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

The best guarded part of the Malbork stronghold was the High Castle. Surrounded by two lines of walls and a moat, it was connected to the Middle Castle by a drawbridge. The High Castle was closed during the day. It was home to about 50 Teutonic brothers. The castle’s central point was a courtyard surrounded by cloisters with a well in the middle. The ground floor of the castle contained a kitchen, utility rooms and a cell for the most important prisoners. The first floor housed the monks’ rooms, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the chapter house and the treasury. The convent chamber was located even higher. Grain supplies were hidden in the attics, which were supposed to last two years of a potential siege. A 66-meter watchtower, which was also the church’s bell tower, towered over everything.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #wieza #tower #towers

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

In addition to the Great Refectory, the Middle Castle also contained the Grand Master’s Palace, the Grand Commander’s chambers, the Armoury, rooms for visitors and an infirmary.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #defensivewalls #birdseyeview

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

The most representative place of the entire complex was the Great Refectory, a huge hall located in the western wing of the Middle Castle. It was in this hall that the Teutonic Knights organized feasts and banquets. The hall, measuring 30m x 15m, was the largest room of its kind in the whole of Central Europe. It could accommodate 400 people. Its magnificent, palm vault is still supported by three slender pillars to this day. The interior design of the room was complemented by windows with colorful stained glass and frescoes, headed by the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patron saint of the Teutonic Order, located above the main entrance.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #defensivewalls

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

In what areas is the castle in Malbork record-breaking?

1) The largest brick castle in the world - a fortress so fortified that it was never conquered militarily, the inhabitants could survive 3 years without any supplies, and the monastery part was accessed by 4 bridges thrown over the water.

2) The largest kitchen hood in the world - the most exquisite food of the Middle Ages came out of the kitchen, this was confirmed by important heads of Europe at that time, it was also tasted by King Casimir the Great.

3) The largest sculpture of medieval Europe - the Malbork Madonna is over 8 meters high, it was recreated by modern conservators, covered with a mosaic containing real gold. It can be seen on the castle walls of the chapel, from under the ticket office building. Interestingly, the glass cubes were brought from Venice, and the gold elements from Gdańsk.

4) The largest number of latrines in a stronghold in the Middle Ages - even cooks had their own toilet, and cabbage leaves were often used as toilet paper, which also had medicinal properties, e.g. anti-inflammatory.

5) The largest number of wells in a castle in the Middle Ages. Interestingly, the fortress also had access to running water.

6) The oldest underfloor heating in these lands - large stones in the basement were heated in fireplaces and acted as storage furnaces. The heat escaped into the rooms through special holes in the floors.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #gothic #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #defensivewalls #tower #wieza

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

The building has an impressive volume of 250 thousand cubic meters, 30 million bricks were used to complete the entire complex, of which 4.5 million are in the high castle. This makes it the largest brick structure in the world.

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze #walls #wall #mury #mur #defensivetower #defensivewall #defensivewalls

"I find your lack of faith disturbing..." [meme image from Penrhyn Castle, North Wales]

#FensterFreitag #WindowFriday #PenrhynCastle #Wales #Castles #StainedGlass #StainedGlassWindows #Cathedral #Cathedrals #Churches #FunnyMemes #StarWars #GothicArchitecture

Castle of the Teutonic Order, Malbork, Poland

The Teutonic Knights, along with the Knights of St. John and the Knights Templar, are one of the three largest orders to emerge from the crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries. The beginning of the Malbork Castle was built between 1275 and 1300. Initially, at the end of the 12th century, the seat of the Teutonic Order was located in Acre, then from 1209 in Montfort, and finally it was moved to Malbork in 1309.

From the beginning, the order wanted to conquer Pomerania and unite with Brandenburg, initially buying lands, and finally moving to open military operations against Poland.

The lost Battle of Grunwald began the decline of the Teutonic Order, crowned by defeat in the Thirteen Years’ War. From 1457 to 1772 Malbork Castle became one of the residences of Polish Kings.

From 1772, the castle was taken over by the Prussians and its regular devastation began. Gothic vaults and windows were demolished, cloisters were bricked up, new windows were forged, and the Palace of the Grand Masters was transformed into a cotton mill.

In 1816, a major reconstruction of the castle began to restore its historical value. Not everything was rebuilt in accordance with the original, replacing the original materials with more modern ones.

From 1933, the Nazi flag was hung on the Malbork Castle. This place was used for ceremonies.

In 1945, after the battles for the city with the Red Army, during which the castle was turned into a point of resistance, about 70% of the buildings of the High Castle, the Middle Castle, the Tower and the castle church were completely destroyed.

(continued in comment)

#malbork #zamek #castle #polska #poland #historia #history #architecture #architektura #gothicarchitecture #widok #landscape #krajobraz #krzyzacy #zakon #teutonicorder #teutonicknights #knights #rycerze

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, NYC in front of a building with many windows - that means: it is window friday!

#windowfriday #windowfridays #windowfreitag #fensterfreitag
#cityscape #cityphotography #architecture #blackandwhite #contrast #oldandnew #NewYorkCity #NYC #Manhattan #urbanlandscape #gothicarchitecture #skyscraper #church #cathedral #religiousarchitecture #urbanexploration #urbanplanning #historicarchitecture #pastandpresent
#sonya6600 #tamronb070s #darktable