Greetings and welcome to another of my little Friday-flavored bits of fluff, a wee, open-threaded morsel of community. And yes, this week it's more of my Summer vacation photos. This time around, we've left Gdansk and are starting our journey south. First stop, the largest brick castle you're ever likely to see, Malbork.
And just as a quick aside, I'm typing this with a turkey in the oven. That's right, Thanksgiving on a Friday. What I wouldn't do for these lovely people over here in the Liver of Europe. It's going to be a short one this week, I'm afraid. Crazy busy most of the week what with visitors in town for a couple of days. And hey, we got some snow!
Perhaps more about that in the comments later as I wind down from what's bound to be a long evening. But for now, how about a perfect Summer day for exploring a huge castle complex?
Castle Malbork
As we approached the castle we were greeted by a tiny soldier attached to a railing
More about the castle on UNESCO's website:
This 13th-century fortified monastery belonging to the Teutonic Order was substantially enlarged and embellished after 1309, when the seat of the Grand Master moved here from Venice. A particularly fine example of a medieval brick castle, it later fell into decay, but was meticulously restored in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the conservation techniques now accepted as standard were evolved here. Following severe damage in the Second World War it was once again restored, using the detailed documentation prepared by earlier conservators.
Yes, we trooped right up to that gate and were turned away by the folks checking our tickets. Nowhere was there even a hint that to enter the castle you had to have a headset and listen to a recording of a guided tour. They were available, we'd seen the signs at the ticket and information building. Nobody thought to mention to us that we had to have headsets. Two of us headed back to the ticket building and picked up our headsets.
Photo display showing the condition of the castle after World War II
Gate to the outer courtyard
Surely that's enough for now. Yes? An appetizer if you will.
Heh, guests arriving in half an hour, don't have the potatoes mashed yet!
Well, next week I'll have some nice shots of the interior to share. And many more pics of the exterior.
Thanks for stopping by.
This is an open thread.
