Gross Wonsdorf Castle in Kurortnoye

(54.470022, 21.122663)

After the conquest of Sambia and the establishment of Königsberg Castle in 1255, the area where the Alle River flows into the Pregell was conquered and Königsberg commander Burhard von Hornhausen started to march southwards along the Alle. He was led by Tirsko, a Prussian who had converted to Christianity. A new campaign by the Königsberg commander to the eastern border of Natangia in 1256 was aimed at capturing the remaining Prussian strongholds: Gundow, Angette, and Unzatrapis. These three fortresses surrendered to the Order without a fight. The Order’s task now was to protect the conquered lands from its new neighbours: the Nadroves, Skalovs and Lithuanians. For this purpose, castles were founded: Allenburg was establishedon the left bank of the river and Gross Wonsdorf — on the right bank.

Gross Wonsdorf castle was built on the site of the Prussian fortress of Kapostete, on the right bank, and covered the ford located there. The east side of the castle was covered by a river and the west side by a creek, where a dam was built and a mill was erected. The south side of the ravine, which functioned as a ditch, was also flooded when the water level of the brook rose. The Lithuanians conquered the castle in 1319 but on their way back their forces were defeated by Ulrich von Dreileben, a Pfleger from Tapiau. In the following year, the fortifications were rebuilt, but were soon burned down again in 1347, and the Lithuanians headed for Natangia. Therefore, it was decided to build a stone castle.

The exact date of the construction in 1356 became known in the 19th century because of the documents walled in the wall that were discovered during restoration works of the gate tower. By that time, as early as 1348, Gross Wonsdorfwas the centre of Kammeramt and was subordinate to the commander of Insterburg. A small settlement with several pubs was built next to the castle. The castle had 65 horses, 90 households of peasants and 8 manors in 1420. There is evidence that in 1450 the castle was owned by the Grand Master Ludwig von Ehrlichshausen. After the Thirteenth Year’s War the Teutonic Order had to pay mercenaries with castles and estates due to the lack of money. Thus, in 1468 the castle and manors were given to Hans von Weyr. After the secularisation of the order’s lands, Duke Albrecht granted it to Edelmann Hein von Döberitz in 1525, and to Andreas von Flann in 1552.

Castle ruins in Gross Wonsdorf

Castle ruins in Gross Wonsdorf

D. I. Veber

Tags: castles and fortresses, 13 century, 14 century, 15 century, 16 century, Teutonic Order (Prussia)