Palace of the Grand Masters

Within the western wing of the Middle Castle there is a unique building – the Palace of the Grand Masters, erected at the end of the 14th century, i.e. at the peak of the development of the monastic state in Prussia. It is the most architecturally rich and artistically valuable building in the entire heritage of the Order, matching the level of architecture with the best mansions of late medieval Europe. It is also an outstanding work of medieval engineering and construction techniques. In this unique building, both in its originally shaped facades and in monumentally and functionally arranged interiors, the need to represent the rulers of the monastic state was fully expressed.

The interiors of the Palace were at that time luxuriously equipped with heating and sanitary installations, providing maximum comfort for the late Middle Ages. The northern and eastern parts of the main floor of the Palace were intended for private rooms of the Grand Master and his companion, i.e. his wardrobe, bedroom, toilet, and other residential interiors. In the vicinity of the residential chambers, a private chapel of the great masters (possibly dedicated to Saint Catherine) was built, with a chancel slightly protruding from the body of the Palace onto the plane of the courtyard of the Middle Castle.