Throughout their stormy history the Teutonic Knights of Germany have
always been the most controversial brotherhood ever to call themselves
'Knights of Christ'.They were the most warlike of the religious orders,
and this is reflected in the architecture they left behind. In contrast
to the Templars who are remembered for their churches, the Teutonic
memorials are the magnificent brick-built castles they built as a result
of their conquest of Prussia between 1230 and 1380. Many of these
dramatic fortresses still exist today in what is now Poland and provide
a unique example of an architectural style that closely reflects the
nature of the Order.