The stronghold in Malbork was considered impregnable. The Teutonic Knights, faithful to the rule, created a very hermetic environment, so to obtain information about the plans of the Order and what was going on behind the walls of its castles, Poles and Lithuanians sent spies to the Teutons who infiltrated the Order’s structures, provided information, and were ready for sabotage.

Military expeditions against pagans - that constituted an important part of the Teutonic Order’s activity that allowed to convince the Pope and the European kings about the meaning of their existence. They performed PR activities so well in this regard that they created in Western Europe a real fashion of taking part in the Teutonic crusades, and even some crowned heads joined the plundering expeditions against Lithuanians and Samogitians.

The first target of the Christianization crusades of the Teutonic Knights were the Prussians. A nation valiant and fierce in paganism. The first Piasts (Polish kings first dynasty) wrangled over that tribes and finally, in the times when Poland was divided into small principalities, therefore weak, one of Piasts’ princesses asked for support the armed monks in white surcoatswith a black cross. Teutonic knights conquered, Christianized and tamed the brave Prussian tribes… but for sure?

Gdanisko - this tower extends beyond the walls of the castle in Malbork (Marienburg), performing an observation and defensive function but above all a sanitary facility. The waste immediately fell to the fosse, from where it flowed to the Nogat River. It was a very neat and sophisticated solution to the hygiene issue. However, it was not easy task to get to that tower, because in order to achieve the destination, you had to walk about a 60-meter corridor. What might happen in case, if someone had a really argent need?

After the fall of the Knights Templar in the 14th century, the Teutonic Order took active steps to take their place. It was just beginning of building up its power but the knights-monks who established it were extremally inventive and determined. Read the announcement (modeled on current travel agencies' offers) inviting the knights of the western, "civilized" part of Europe to visit this less civilized part in the name of converting to the Christian faith.