The Ruins of Gerdauen Castle in Železnoordniy

(54.364132, 21.310417)

There is an opinion that the fortress was called Gerdawia after the name of the owner, Prussian chieftain Gerdaw, eventually transformed into Gerdauen. The fortress was the stronghold and center of a small area in the Prussian land of Barta. In 1251, after the suppression of the first Prussian uprising, Barta was taken by the Order and the owner of the fortress, Gerdav, adopted Christianity. A few years later, in 1257, the Order established a commandry here, and Gerdauen served as the commander’s residence for some time.

Heinrich de Alfeld is mentioned as a commander in the documents as of 14 April 1257. During the second Prussian uprising, the castle was destroyed, but after its suppression it was rebuilt again. Gerdav’s descendants were still mentioned in connection with the castle up to the first quarter of the 14th century. However, their traces had disappeared by the middle of that century and the only reminder was the name of the castle.

The fortress was rebuilt and the commander’s residence was built in the early 14th century and construction began under commander Johann von Winnungen. The castle was consecrated on St. Peter and Paul’s Day in 1325. However, by that time the status of the castle had changed from the lord commander’s residence to the Pflegericht.

In 1347, the area of Gerdauen was ravaged by the troops of Lithuanian Grand Duke Olgerd. Nevertheless, as early as the end of the 14th century, there was a settlement, which received the town law from Grand Master Konrad von Jungingen.

Just like a number of other castles, after the Thirteen Years’ War in 1469, the Order, due to lack of finances, was forced to transfer Gerdauenas debt to Georg von Schlieben, who had previously commanded a large mercenary unit fighting alongside the Order. The castle had not been inhabited since 1672 and was gradually deteriorating.

In 1833, it was sold to baron von Romberg, one of whose descendants rebuilt the castle. Only the old cellars and a small outbuilding in the western part of the castle have been preserved. The manor was bought by Alfred von Janson, a Scotsman by birth, in 1882.

D. I. Veber

Photos

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century, Teutonic Order (Prussia), The ways of the Teutonic knights: Prussia in the 13th century, Teutonic knights