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Treasures of Malbork in the Lithuanian capital – a temporary exhibition
The temporary exhibition ‘Eina garsas nuo Malburgo… Treasures of Malbork’ is the result of partnership between two institutions: the National Museum of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius and the Malbork Castle Museum. The exhibition presents a comprehensive history of Malbork Castle and the museum that has operated there since 1961. The exhibition is open to visitors from 8 September to 22 November 2026 at the National Museum in Vilnius.
Shared History
In the 14th century, Poland and Lithuania were united by a common enemy – the Teutonic Order. The Order’s aggressive territorial expansion took place at the expense of neighbouring states. Malbork, as the Order’s capital at the time, became a symbol of the struggle against the Teutonic Knights, and the castle itself stands as a timeless monument to that struggle. Malbork’s later history demonstrates that international partnership can yield spectacular results. It was thanks to the Union between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland that, in the second half of the 15th century, Malbork transformed from an enemy capital into one of the joint residences of the kings of Poland and Lithuania. For over three centuries Malbork, like Vilnius, welcomed rulers from the Jagiellonian and Vasa dynasties, as well as successive elected kings. The exhibition on Malbork Castle is intended to encourage recipients to reflect on the past; it is also a testament to the current strengthening of inter-state relations in the areas of cultural and historical policy.
Exchange of experiences
The foundation for partnership between the two institutions lies not only in centuries of shared history, but also in a desire to meet contemporary challenges. Both the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius and Malbork Castle have evolved over the years as a result of changing geopolitical affiliations. Today both buildings function as museums and are committed to telling a nuanced story, which must be presented to today’s recipients in a reliable and accessible manner. Together, they prepare an exhibition that provides an excellent opportunity for these renowned institutions to exchange experiences.
The exhibition’s narrative
The exhibition title quotes a fragment of a poem by Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis. In 1913 the Lithuanian national poet, in the phrase ‘Eina garsas nuo Malburgo…’, evoked Malbork as a symbol of a threat to Lithuania. This sense of unease, which comes with thoughts of the former capital of the Teutonic Order, is set against the word ‘treasures’ in the exhibition’s title— a word associated with the excitement of discovery, suggesting a new significance for this place. Today Malbork Castle can be rediscovered in the light of the ‘treasures’ of history it holds, as this exhibition aims to demonstrate.
The narrative covers the complete history of Malbork Castle, from its Teutonic origins, through the era of the Polish-Lithuanian kings and the Prussian occupiers, to the contemporary efforts to safeguard this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The museum’s collection
It is no coincidence that all the exhibits on display come from the collection of the Malbork Castle Museum. The institution celebrates its 65th anniversary this year and is proud to present its collection at the exhibition in Vilnius. The collection of exhibits conveying the exhibition’s message is extremely diverse. Visitors can see sculptures, architectural details and ceramics, military artefacts and devotional articles, as well as paintings and sketches. The exhibition showcases, for example, a drawing by Feliks Sypniewski illustrating Adam Mickiewicz’s work ‘Konrad Wallenrod’. A significant part of this poetic novel is set in Malbork. Its eminent author, remembered in the historical consciousness of both Poland and Lithuania, never actually visited Malbork Castle, but in his work he treated it as a symbol of the hostile power of Russia, concealed under the guise of the Teutonic Order.
Most valuable exhibit
Another noteworthy exhibit is one of Malbork’s most important ‘treasures’, to be displayed at the Vilnius exhibition. The altarpiece from Tenkit was ordered by Teutonic Order dignitaries in 1504, just before the dissolution of the Order’s Prussian branch. This late medieval work depicts, in the central panel, the scene of the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by God the Father and the Son of God, and the side panels feature figures of St Barbara and St James the Elder. This artefact is not only of artistic and historical value – it is a unique testament to the perseverance and passion of the museum professionals who have created the Malbork Castle Museum over the years.
Reassembled monument
This winged altarpiece, brought to Malbork Castle in the late 19th century, was dismantled and its parts were scattered after the Second World War – like so many historic artefacts during the post-war chaos. In the 1970s, the first clue to the whereabouts of one of the sculptures was discovered, and so began the arduous journey towards reassembling the altar. Museum staff spent years searching and negotiating. Whenever one set of parts was recovered, the next would appear almost miraculously. It was not until 1997 that the altarpiece from Tenkit was finally reassembled at the Malbork Castle Museum. Since then, the reunited artefact has never been displayed outside the castle walls.
Invitation to Malbork
The temporary exhibition ‘Eina garsas nuo Malburgo… Treasures of Malbork’ offers a glimpse of what visitors can experience when exploring the brick fortress on the River Nogat. It is also an invitation to visit Malbork Castle, where the Malbork Castle Museum displays the other ‘treasures’ collected over the course of its 65 years of operation.
Co-funded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage as part of the Inspiring Culture 2026-2027 programme. Project title: Eina garsas nuo Malburgo… The Treasures of Malbork – preparation of a temporary exhibition as part of the ‘Inspiring Culture 2026-2027’ programme, carried out in partnership with the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in Vilnius.
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