Waldau Castle in Nizovye (Guryevsk District)
Having subjugated the old Baltic Prussian lands of Pomesania,
Pogesania and Warmia, the Teutonic Knights undertook large-scale
construction of roads and castles. They raised a fortress
every 15-20 kilometers, as this was the distance that a fully
equipped foot knight could cover in a day. The Teutonic Order
continued their invasion of the eastern part of Sambia, towards
Nadrovia.
The earliest official mention of building
a fortress in Waldau comes from a chronicle dating to 1258.
The name of the castle derives from the Baltic Prussian language,
where it meant 'to own'. And in fact, the surrounding lands
belonged to two Prussian landowners: Brulant and Diabel, who
were called 'tenants' or 'dukes'. In 1264, the dukes were
obliged by the Teutonic Knights to set up an inn, in which
Teutonic knights, clergymen and soldiers would stay. There,
travelling merchants would spend time discussing the ups and
downs of commerce over a pint of barley beer or a bottle of
cider.
When the lands of Nadrovia and Sudovia had
been occupied by the tribe of Yotvingians, the border between
the Monastic State of the Teutonic Order and Lithuania moved
eastwards. As a result, the fortress of Waldau ceased to serve
a defensive role. In 1457 the old building was converted into
a residential castle, which from then on served as a summer
residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. When
the Order was secularised in 1525, the castle turned into
a seat for the administrative authorities in the district
of Waldau. In 1858 an agricultural school was established
in the castle. Afterwards the castle was completely redesigned
and changed into a popular school for teachers.
The history of Waldau Castle contains one
event which, on the initiative of local people, was commemorated
in 1997 by placing a plaque on the walls of the castle. On
17th (27th) May 1697, the castle hosted Russian emissaries,
headed by Admiral Franc Jakovlewitz Lefort (1656 - 1699).
The Tsar's chronicler wrote on that day: "Tsar Peter
I arrived on this day to enquire about the wellbeing of the
emissaries and to finally confirm the meeting ceremony with
Kurfürst (The Prince Elector of the German Reich). In the
evening, Tsar Peter I left for Königsburg and the Russian
emissaries set off from Waldau early morning the next day."
Today the castle in Nizovye, despite its old
age, makes a great impression on the visitors. Parts of the
former castle outbuildings have remained until today and the
castle itself still houses an agricultural school.
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