Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork

Brick by brick, Malbork became the largest castle of its kind on Earth. After the Teutonic Order's Grand Master moved his seat from Venice in 1309, the 13th-century fortified monastery swelled into a vast stronghold. Its later story is one of pioneering restoration — 19th-century conservators developed techniques here that became standard practice, and their meticulous records guided the rebuilding after heavy damage in the Second World War. UNESCO inscribed it in 1997.