Gergdauen Castle in Zheleznodorozhny (Pravdinsky
District)
The earth and timber stronghold Gerdauen was constructed by
the Teutonic Knights in 1270. After a subsequent Prussian
uprising, the Knights were too weak to keep hold of all their
fortresses. Gerdauen was burnt down, but once the Prussian
uprising was put down, the Teutonic Knights returned here
and began to raise new fortifications. By 1310, a new stronghold
had been completed. At that time it was guarded by embankments,
moats and shelters. Inside the ring of fortifications, stone
and brick buildings for a convent of Teutonic brothers were
constructed.
Initially the Knights planned that Gerdauen would become a
seat of a commander, known as komtur. But this idea was soon
relinquished because of the proximity to the Lithuanian lands
and frequent attacks staged by Lithuanian troops. Gerdauen
for example was attacked in 1336, 1337 and in 1366.
Although in 1406 Gerdauen Castle was surrounded by a ring
of fortified walls less than half a century later, in 1455,
which was during the Thirteen Years' War, the fortress was
severely damaged. In 1670 it stood empty. Soon afterwards
it was sold to a private owner. All that had remained of the
original buildings were the cellars.
In 1872 a new beautiful palace was raised
on this location. Gerdauen flourished until 1814, that is
until the outbreak of World War One. In that year, the town
was a witness and a victim of a bloody fight with the Russian
army. Gerdauen was not rebuilt until 1921.
On 27th January 1945, during the military campaign in East
Prussia, the town was seized by the Red Army. This time the
town was left nearly intact. Although it is difficult to believe,
most of the damage occurred during the pre-war years. The
pride of the town, the magnificent palace had been demolosihed
down to its foundations. And the church, dating back to the
14th century, was converted into a club and a cinema in the
first years after the war. Later on it was used as a civic
culture centre.
|