Preussisch-Eylau Castle in Bagrationovsk 

(54.386637, 20.632771)

The castle was founded in 1325. Its erection was connected with the colonization of the lands of Natangia. This endeavour was entrusted by the Grand Master Werner von Orseln to Dietrich von Altenburg, commander of the Balga. The castle was an important link between Kreuzburg and Bartenstein. For a while it bore another name — Aylav, Ilav.

It was surrounded by marshes, ponds and the Pasmar stream. Master Arnolf von Eulenstein was in charge of the works.

The castle served as the residence of the Pfleger, and since 1347 it had also played the role of the administration of the Kammeramt. By 1348, there had been 12 pubs, which were granted permission by Balga commander Ortolf von Trier, in the village. In February 1454, during the Thirteenth Years’ War, the castle was seized by rebels, but was retaken by the Order. But the following year Remschel von Criksen, commander of the Prussian Union army, attempted to take Preisisch Eylau. Legend has it that an envoy from the besieged went out through an underground passage and arrived at Königsberg. Royce von Plauen, the supreme Hospitaller, the besieger, allocated a detachment of 600 men. The attack was repulsed, as was the subsequent attack in 1456, and the castle remained in the hands of the Order.

The castle and its surroundings were handed over to the Order’s brother Heinrich Reuss von Plauen in 1492. Probably at the time, Preussisch-Eylau received a coat of arms bearing the family lion of von Plauen. Polish mercenaries attempted to take the castle in 1520 but failed.

After the Reformation in 1525, the castle of the Order became the seat of the departmental manor of Hauptmann Preussisch-Eylau.

The town is best known in Russian history for a nearby battle.

D. I. Veber

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