Malbork

Fortress Ordensburg Marienburg was founded in 1274 on the east bank of the river Nogat by the Teutonic Knights. It's now a world heritage site. A wanted to see a castle and I think this one was a classic example. It was actually in use up the the turn of the last century if I remember correctly but it was somewhat devastated by the IIWW. A lot of restoration has been carried out since I saw it last. We were treated to the strains of mediaeval music in the inner sanctum and sword fighting and archery around the moat. Many people were for some reason dressed for the middle ages, some in armour, which can't have been too comfortable. This is the view from across the footbridge.

We had left Bartoszyce OK, but the roads were unspeakable. Extensive and continuous reconstruction in the region will soon be over, but in the meantime... In soaring temperatures the journey was tiring but we got there much later than I had hoped. A was sadly denied a long recursive wander round inside. However I suppose we had quite a good look round even if we missed some of the rooms which seemed to close rather earlier than the 8 o'clock on the tickets.

D had found the 'Stary Malbork' hotel on the 17th of March street for us. It was calm, friendly and very comfortable. It transpired that the people running it were also the owners of what was once an absolutely enormous family house which they had restored over many years before they opened as a hotel and quickly gained their stars.