Insterburg Castle in Černiachovsk

After the Teutonic Order had conquered the Prussian province of Nadrovia in 1275–1276, the construction of defensive structures started in the area. Teutonic Order seized the Prussian region of Nadrovia, construction of defensive structures began there.

The Commendatoris de Insterborg was mentioned as early as in the documents of 1311, though the construction of the castle did not begin until 1336 under Grand Master Dietrich von Altenburg. It was probably built on the site of a ruined Prussian fortress in the centre of Nadrovia, at the junction of natural river routes. Although the castle was erected on the steep bank of the Angerapp River, it was given the name of Insterburg (the fortress on the Inster) as at that time there was already an Order stronghold with the name of Angerburg. Construction of the mighty Commandery castle began under cover of a ring of captured Prussian fortresses, additionally reinforced by the Order: Kaminsvike (Tamov), Garzovin (Georgenburg), Nerkevitten (Norkitten), Lettinen, Svaygrube (Schwegerau). It was built on a south-facing plateau, surrounded by cliffs and ravines from three sides, with a stream running through it.

The Insterburg council did not exist for a long time, as the area was not generating enough revenue to maintain the council. For this reason, in 1347, the castle was turned into a pflege, subordinate to the Königsberg commandery. To supply the castle with food, the Order’s estate of Althof-Insterburg was established next to it. As early as 1374, a stud farm in Insterburg was mentioned. In the second half of the 14th century, Insterburg was an important stronghold of the campaign against the Lithuanians with «guests» from England, Holy Roman Empire, and France. In 1402, the Lithuanian duke Vitautas met with Grand Master Konrad von Jungingen in the castle of Insterburg. During their meeting, an alliance against the Polish king Jagiello was formed. But soon Vitautas betrayed the Order and defected to Jagiello, who gave him the title of Grand Duke of Lithuania. As early as 1403, the Order was forced to repel Vitautas’ attack on the area of Insterburg.

After the Battle of Grunwald, the decline of the Teutonic Order began and the castle lost its significance as a stronghold in the east. During the Thirteen Years’ War, the castle was seized and burned down by Polish and Prussian troops in 1457, but no exact records of the event are available. The castle of Insterburg is mentioned in the text of the Second Peace of Thorns. Inventory books of the castle of the end of the 15th century contain information on substantial stocks of grain, dried fish, lard, etc. An additional annex to the castle was built in 1500.

In the 16th century the castle lost its former importance because of insufficient equipment. However, after the reorganisation of the State of the Order by Duke Albrecht, Insterburg became a centre of territorial administration and regained its importance. In 1643, Maria Eleonora, the widow of Swedish King Gustav Adolf, moved to the castle and lived there until 1648.

Ruins of Insterburg castle

Ruins of Insterburg castle

 V. I. Veber

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century