Teutonic Castle in Świecie

The ruins of Świecie Castle, situated between the Vistula and Wda rivers on Zamkowa Street, are the remains of a fortress built by the Teutonic Order after 1335, during the administration of Commanders Konrad von Bruningsheim and Günther von Hohenstein. The castle was characterized by a two-part structure, which included a convent house surrounded by a parcham and a outer bailey, as well as four cylindrical towers, distinguishing it from other Teutonic castles. The castle held strategic importance, controlling traffic on the Vistula River, and was already equipped with firearms by 1377. During wars, such as the Great War with Poland (1409–1411) and the Thirteen Years' War (1454–1466), the castle was besieged, ultimately surrendering in 1454. After the wars, the castle served as the seat of Polish royal starosts, and in the second half of the 16th century, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Destroyed during the Swedish wars in the 17th century, the castle was not rebuilt, and its ruins began to deteriorate. The weakened walls witnessed various dangers, and in the 20th century, they were used for observation purposes by the Waterways Department. During the interwar period and after World War II, various preservation works were carried out, and partial reconstruction took place between 1970 and 1975. In 2019, the castle was robbed of bricks, contributing to further devastation. Currently, restoration work is underway to restore the historical significance of the site. The castle is also protected as a Natura 2000 area, serving as a winter hibernation site for the western barbastelle bat. The castle's architecture features a square layout with sides measuring 51 meters, including an entrance gate, a moat, and wings forming a courtyard surrounded by cloisters. Among the preserved elements is the main tower, known as the tallest leaning tower in Poland, making it a tourist attraction.