HISTORY

The construction works on a castle in Dzierzgoń were commenced in 1248, as ordered by the Landmeister (provincial Master) Heinrich von Wida. A hill rising above the village was chosen to locate the new castle. In the past, that hill was topped with an old Prussian stronghold, which protected a settlement at its foot. The Teutonic castle became a seat of the Commander (Komtur) of Dzierzgoń, who also held the function of the Quatermaster (Obersttrappier)in the Order of the Teutonic Knights.. During the most glorious times of the Order, Dzierzgoń Castle is said to have contained the largest arsenal of arms (comparable only to that in Malbork Castle) and the second largest granary (to the one in Brodnica Castle). On 7th February 1249, when the first Prussian uprising had been subdued, a peace treaty known as the Treaty of Dzierzgoń was concluded in Dzierzgoń Castle, at the presence of the papal legate James of Leodium, who later became Pope Urban IV. Dzierzgoń was granted a charter on 7th April 1288 by the Komtur Helwig von Goldbach. The Teutonic knights who stationed at Dzierzgoń Castle were led by the Quatermaster Albrecht von Schwaezburg to the Battle of Grunwald, where their commander fell on the battlefield. On 21st July 1410 the Polish King Władyslaw Jagiełło, on his way to Malbork, entered Drzerzgoń and stayed at the castle. There he received emissaries from several Prussian towns, including Elbląg, who declared loyalty to the King of Poland. Jagiełło passed the castle to Zbigniew of Brzezie and on 2nd July moved on towards Malbork. In 1411 the castle was seized by the Teutonic Knights, but three years later, in 1414, once again fell into the hand of Poles, during the so-called 'Hunger War'. The Polish King ordered to burn the castle.

During its history, Dzierzgoń Castle was a residence for 42Teutonic commanders. Many of them later became Grand Masters of the Order, for example Luder of Brunswick or Konrad von Wallenrod. Badly damaged, the castle was ceded to Poland by the power of the Peace Treaty of Toruń. It was then turned into a seat of local administration (starostwo) and court of law. The castle and the district were first governed by the members of the Bażyński family, who were succeeded by the Cems. The Constitution of 1611 joined the function of the Dzierzgoń district governor (starosta) with the office of provincial governor (voyevoda) in Malbork. Since then Dzierzgoń was the seat of administration for the central government (starostwo grodzkie). The whole of the province was then under the jurisdiction of the court in Dzierzgoń, which held its proceedings at Dzierzgoń Castle. The castle itself was also a residence of the Regent. As a result of the first partition of Poland in 1772, Dzierzgoń was incorporated to Prussia, It then became the seat of a larger province of Dzierzgoń.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

ruins of the Teutonic castle of 13th century; "Bągart bridges" over the Dzierzgoń River - remnants of the ancient Amber Trail; gothic churches in Dzierzgoń, Bągart, Jasna and Żuławka Sztumska; 17th century cloister in Dzierzgoń: ruins of a hunter manor in Parkwice, which used to be visisted by the Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia Wilhelm II

EVENTS - Day of Komtur (knights in combat), Days of Dzierzgoń, Festival of Three Cultures

CULTURE

The Civic Culture Centre, (guest rooms), tel. 055 276 2647, www.dokdzierzgon.pl,
e-mail: dok.dzierzgon@wp.pl, dok@dzierzgon.pl.

ACCOMODATION

• Agritourism Guest Rooms Jadwiga Sołdaczuk, Budzisz, (Dzierzgoń commune)
• Agritourism Guest Rooms Wojciech Sołdaczuk, Budzisz, (Dzierzgoń commune)

CATERING

• The "Prowansalska" Pizzeria, 19 Słowackiego Str. tel. 055 276 0165
• The "Pierożek" Bar, 2 Wolności Ave. tel. 055 276 2544
• The "Rożno " Bar, 63 Zawadzkiego Str.
• The "CARO " Café, 4 Odrodzenia Str.
• The "U Ludwika " Bar, 13 Limanowskiego Str.
• The "Belfer" Pub, 1 Przemysłowa Str.
• The "STOP "Pub, Żuławka Sztumska
  

The Town Office
1 Wolności Ave., phone: 055 276 25 01
www.dzierzgon.pl