Malbork

▪ Poland

German  Marienburg 

 city, Pomorskie województwo (province), northern Poland. It lies on the Nogat River, the easternmost distributary of the Vistula River delta. The town was founded on the site of a medieval Prussian estate fortified by knights of the Teutonic Order in 1236 and was once the residence of their grand master; the surrounding settlement received municipal rights in 1276. From the 13th to the 15th century the fortress was one of the most powerful in Europe. Incorporated into Poland in 1457, Malbork passed to the Prussians in 1772, and in 1920 Germany gained control of the town; it was returned to Poland after World War II.

      Malbork is now a transportation centre located on major rail and highway routes. Local industry specializes in the processing of sugar and dairy products from the surrounding area. The large Gothic fortress, a major tourist attraction, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Pop. (2005 est.) 38,747.

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