700 years of history
5th century – 1325
5th century – 1325
Prussian tribes
Starting from the 5th century, the lands in this Baltic region were inhabited by Prussians who built fortified colonies and settlements. The castle was built much later during the Teutonic Order conquest of Prussian lands in the 13th century. Following the conquest and establishment of the Teutonic rule in the region, the weakened Prussian tribes eventually disappeared.
1325 - 1525
1325 - 1525
The State of the Teutonic Order
Preussisch Eylau Castle (German: Preußisch Eylau) was founded back in 1325 by a decree of The Grand Master of the Teutonic Order during the Prussia conquest. The castle became an administrative and strategic hub — a transit centre for travelling knights and a residence for the head of local administration (pfleger). Being a vibrant community, the castle soon became surrounded by a settlement (lischke) which then grew into a town.
For 200 years, Preussisch Eylau was a part of the State of the Teutonic Order. The castle survived several enemy sieges and hosted powerful lords, including Konrad von Wallenrode who became the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and Heinrich Reuß von Plauen, an heir to a grand dynasty and Chief Marshal of the Order.
For 200 years, Preussisch Eylau was a part of the State of the Teutonic Order. The castle survived several enemy sieges and hosted powerful lords, including Konrad von Wallenrode who became the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights and Heinrich Reuß von Plauen, an heir to a grand dynasty and Chief Marshal of the Order.
1525 - 1701
1701 - 1918
1758 - 1762
1701 - 1918
1758 - 1762
1525 - 1701
1701 - 1918
1758 - 1762
1701 - 1918
1758 - 1762
The Duchy of Prussia
The Kingdom of Prussia
East Prussia as a part of the Russian Empire
The Kingdom of Prussia
East Prussia as a part of the Russian Empire
In the next 400 years after the State of the Teutonic Order collapsed, the castle served as an administrative centre for the Duchy of Prussia (a German Lutheran Duchy comprised of the Teutonic Order’s Prussian lands) and later — the Kingdom of Prussia.
This period witnessed many landmark events:
This period witnessed many landmark events:
- the settlement surrounding the castle received its town charter and assumed the castle’s name and coat of arms (Preussisch Eylau, 1585).
- together with East Prussia, the castle became a part of the Russian Empire and remained a Russian province for 5 years (1758 — 1762),
- 1807, Napoleon’s troops invaded the town and the castle to fight the Russo-Prussian army in the then bloodiest battle that left a large imprint on the history of Napoleonic wars.
1871 - 1918
1918 - 1945
1918 - 1945
1871 - 1918
1918 - 1945
1918 - 1945
The German Empire
Germany (Weimar Republic, German Reich)
Germany (Weimar Republic, German Reich)
Preussisch Eylau was a part of Germany starting from the end of the 19th century and through the middle of the 20th century.
This is when the region was split into East and West Prussia (1878), while West Prussia surrendered a part of its territory under the Treaty of Versailles (1919). However, these territorial shifts had no impact on Preussisch Eylau Castle and its neighbouring territories which remained a part of Germany until the end of World War II.
This is when the region was split into East and West Prussia (1878), while West Prussia surrendered a part of its territory under the Treaty of Versailles (1919). However, these territorial shifts had no impact on Preussisch Eylau Castle and its neighbouring territories which remained a part of Germany until the end of World War II.
1945 - 1991
1991 - up to date
1991 - up to date
1945 - 1991
1991 - up to date
1991 - up to date
USSR
Russia
Russia
In the early months of 1945, the Soviet Army conquered Preussisch Eylau that, following the Potsdam Conference, became a part of Kaliningrad Region, USSR.
The castle no longer had the administrative significance it used to carry in the 18th century and slowly fell into decay. Despite that many of its buildings have been lost beyond repair, the castle’s outer bailey (vorburg) has survived to tell the story of the castle and its surroundings to the next generations. Soon, the castle will retain its former brilliance to become a landmark of the region once again.
Come and experience it yourself!
What we offer:
The castle no longer had the administrative significance it used to carry in the 18th century and slowly fell into decay. Despite that many of its buildings have been lost beyond repair, the castle’s outer bailey (vorburg) has survived to tell the story of the castle and its surroundings to the next generations. Soon, the castle will retain its former brilliance to become a landmark of the region once again.
Come and experience it yourself!
What we offer:
- Guided tours and tourist routes around the castle
- Entertainment programmes
- Fascinating stories and legends
The future outlook
Currently, we are in the course of a major project to restore Preussisch Eylau as a multi-purpose tourist and leisure complex.
In the beginning of 2023, we launched the first phase of the project and started preservation works.
In May 2023, the castle opened its doors to visitors. Now, anyone interested may take the tourist route and have an exciting experience within the castle and its surroundings.
We have a lot of work ahead as we plan to make your tourist experience unforgettable. Soon, visitors will discover and enjoy an exciting and vibrant territory with spacious promenades, a landscape park, craft clubs for children, event venues, a hotel, restaurant, café and exhibition facilities — a leisure impression you will never forget!
In the beginning of 2023, we launched the first phase of the project and started preservation works.
In May 2023, the castle opened its doors to visitors. Now, anyone interested may take the tourist route and have an exciting experience within the castle and its surroundings.
We have a lot of work ahead as we plan to make your tourist experience unforgettable. Soon, visitors will discover and enjoy an exciting and vibrant territory with spacious promenades, a landscape park, craft clubs for children, event venues, a hotel, restaurant, café and exhibition facilities — a leisure impression you will never forget!
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