Ragnit Castle in Neman

Having conquered Nadrovia, the Order set about conquering Skalovia, situated on both banks of the lower Memel River. In 1277, the fortified settlement of Raganita was taken. In 1289, when the Lithuanians and Samogitians threatened to attack the town, Prussian Landmaster Meinhart von Kverfurth erected a new castle on the site of the Prussian fortress of Raganita. It was originally called Landshut. The fortress later reverted to its former name, which was further transformed into Ragnit.

During the following decades, the castle, as well as other surrounding castles, were attacked by Lithuanians. After Lithuania and Poland united in 1385 the situation on the borders for the Teutonic Order worsened, and consequently stone castles began to be built. Ragnit was also rebuilt, and a new site, located about 2 kilometres downstream the river, was selected for it. The construction process was supervised by Nikolaus Fellenstein, an architect from Koblenz.

A dam was built on the stream near the castle, and a ditch was dug in front of it. The resulting pond was not only needed for defensive purposes and to run the mill. The defeat of the Order at Grunwald in 1410 was followed by a financial crisis that prevented the Order from rebuilding a temporary dungeon. As early as during an inspection by the marshal of the order in 1420 its unsatisfactory state was noted. During the Thirteen Years’ War, the castle briefly fell into the hands of the Prussian Union, but as early as 1455 the manor reverted to the Order. After the secularisation of the Order’s holdings, the former commander became the head of Ragnit amt, and the former Order’s castle became his residence.

D. I. Veber

Photos

Ragnit castle

Ragnit castle

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century