Kowalewo Pomorskie Castle

The Castle in Kowalewo Pomorskie, located in the Golub-Dobrzyń County of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, now lies in ruins, yet its history dates back to the 13th century. First mentioned in 1222, the castle was originally a wooden fortress, which came under the protection of the Teutonic Order from 1231. Constructed between approximately 1300 and 1330, the castle occupied a strategic position between two lakes and served as the seat of the Kowalewo Commandery. Over the centuries, the castle witnessed numerous significant events, including a siege by Władysław Łokietek in 1330 and the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, during which the Kowalewo commander perished. In 1454, the castle was captured by the Prussian Confederation, but in the following years, it was repeatedly attacked and damaged, notably during the war with Sweden from 1655 to 1660. Ultimately, the castle was dismantled by the Prussian authorities around 1830. Archaeological investigations conducted between 2013 and 2016 revealed that the defensive complex was square-shaped with sides measuring 45 meters and included three outer baileys surrounded by a moat. Additional walls formed a bailey area, and the surviving wall fragments stand as a testament to the fortress's former grandeur. Although no iconographic sources have been preserved, the castle can provide valuable insights into the region's medieval defensive architecture.