Preußisch Eylau Castle: A Medieval Teutonic Fortress in Bagrationovsk, Russia

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.prussia39.ru

Country: Russia

Civilization: Crusader

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Preußisch Eylau Castle is situated in the municipality of Bagrationovsk, Russia. It was originally built by the Teutonic Order, a medieval religious and military order active in the Baltic region during the Middle Ages.

The castle’s construction began in 1325 under the direction of Grand Master Werner von Orseln of the Teutonic Order. Master builder Arnold von Eilenstein led the building efforts on the site previously occupied by the Prussian fortress known as Sutwrit. The Komtur (commander) of the nearby Balga commandry, Dietrich von Altenburg, supervised the work. By 1330, the castle stood as a quadrangular fortress with defensive features including a water-filled moat, drawbridges, and gates fortified with portcullises. A sizeable outer bailey was added along the eastern side, expanding the castle’s footprint.

During its early years, the site was referred to as “Ile” and later “Iladia.” Over time, it became commonly known as Preußisch Eylau, a name derived from “Preußisch-Ilow.” Until 1347, the castle served as the residence of the Order’s pfleger, an official responsible for local administration. Afterward, its role shifted to housing the chamber administration related to the Balga commandry, reflecting its administrative importance within the Teutonic Order’s territorial network.

In the 20th century, the castle experienced relatively little damage during World War II and continued to be used for residential purposes into the early 1960s. From 1961, the property came under the ownership of the regional consumer cooperative, known as raypotrebsoyuz, which repurposed the castle for storage. By 1964, scientific restoration teams surveyed the site and found it in poor condition due to a lack of maintenance since the war. In the years following, a shooting range was constructed on the location of the castle’s western wing; this structure was dismantled in the 1990s.

Beginning in the late 1980s, the roof of the remaining outer bailey deteriorated, with holes forming by 1989. A fire in August 1990 caused extensive damage, destroying the central part of the roof. Although plans were considered in the early 1990s for limited archaeological excavations and converting the outer bailey into a hotel and bar, these ideas were not realized. Another fire in June 2016 damaged about 80 square meters of the castle’s roof.

Efforts to sell the castle through auctions in 2018 and 2020 did not attract buyers. Eventually, in 2022, the historic site was purchased for 7.6 million rubles by a company from Saint Petersburg called GreenArtDevelopment. In late 2023, a wooden canopy was erected over the citadel ruins to help protect the remains. Restoration of the outer bailey’s roof progressed into early 2024, involving reconstruction of the wooden rafter framework, installation of roof tiles, and rebuilding window openings. By 2025, stabilization work commenced on the citadel ruins to prevent further deterioration, and the outer bailey was opened for guided tours in September of that year.

Remains

Preußisch Eylau Castle was originally built as a quadrangular fortress, measuring roughly 41 by 43 meters. Its structure was surrounded by a moat filled with water, serving as a defensive barrier. Access to the castle was controlled by a drawbridge spanning the moat and gates equipped with portcullises, which are heavy grilled doors that could be lowered to secure the entrance. These features exemplify medieval fortification methods designed to withstand attack.

Attached to the eastern side of the main fortification was a large outer bailey, or forburg. This additional courtyard area expanded the castle’s defensive and functional space. The entire complex was situated on an artificially created island, which was formed by constructing a dam and mill to raise the water level of the surrounding river, thus enhancing the natural defenses.

Today, much of the castle is in a ruinous state. The roof of the surviving outer bailey suffered significant damage over the late 20th and early 21st centuries. By the late 1980s, the roof had begun to fail, with structural holes visible by 1989. The central section was then destroyed by fire in August 1990. Another fire in 2016 damaged approximately 80 square meters of the roof, further compromising its integrity. Restoration efforts have focused on rebuilding the roof’s wooden rafter system and laying new tiles, in addition to reconstructing the window openings within the outer bailey, gradually returning the structure to a more stable condition.

On the site of the original western wing, a shooting range was erected during the post-World War II period when the castle was used for storage and other non-military purposes. This structure was later removed in the 1990s, returning the footprint of that area closer to its historical form.

To protect the vulnerable remains of the central citadel, a wooden canopy was installed in December 2023, covering the ruins while restoration and preservation efforts continue. Plans include adapting the castle’s cellars into museum space, aiming to provide a new cultural and educational use for these underground chambers once the restoration reaches completion.

Together, these surviving elements tell the story of a medieval stronghold that evolved through centuries, combining military, administrative, and later communal functions, now being carefully conserved to preserve its legacy.