Lauken: A Historic Teutonic Site in Russia

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.prussia39.ru

Country: Russia

Civilization: Unclassified

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Lauken is a historic site located in the municipality of Saranskoe within the Polessky District of present-day Russia. It was originally established by the Teutonic Order, a medieval military and religious organization active in the Baltic region.

The beginnings of Lauken trace back to around 1260, when the Teutonic Order constructed protective earthen ramparts at this strategic position along the bank of the Laba River, now known as the Deima River. From 1270 onward, the fortress served as a key military base supporting the Order’s campaigns against the neighboring territory of Nadrovia. Around 1327, the original earthen fortifications were replaced with stone structures, marking a significant upgrade designed to strengthen the site’s defenses and permanence. By 1390, Lauken had also taken on an administrative role by housing a Kammeramt, an office responsible for managing the Order’s finances and properties in the region.

Lauken is mentioned in important historic treaties such as the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466 and the Treaty of Krakow in 1525, reflecting its continued relevance during this era. After the Protestant Reformation, the fortress’s functions shifted under Duke Albert of Prussia, who transformed the stronghold into a hunting lodge, signaling a transition from military to leisure usage.

Between 1581 and 1584, Duke Georg Friedrich commissioned a complete reconstruction of the site from architect Blasius Berwart, converting the old fortress into a Renaissance-style palace named Friedrichsburg. Soon after the palace was finished, it hosted a Swedish envoy, indicating its role as a site of diplomatic importance. In the centuries that followed, the castle became a residence for knights and underwent several renovations to maintain its structure and adapt to new uses. By the late 19th century, the property was owned by the von Bieberstein family.

The last documented owner, Ludwig Meyländer Rogalla von Bieberstein, was imprisoned and died in 1940 as a political prisoner opposing the Nazi regime. Following the devastation of World War II, Lauken survived in good condition and was repurposed as a local school. Its historical value was formally recognized in 2007 when the regional government designated it as a cultural heritage site.

Remains

The site of Lauken presents an architectural evolution beginning with its origins as a medieval fortification featuring earthen ramparts constructed around 1260. These initial earthworks formed the basic defensive perimeter suitable for the military needs of the Teutonic Order at that time. In 1327, these ramparts were replaced by stone fortifications, indicating a shift towards a more durable and imposing structure.

Among the surviving architectural elements are the castle’s cellars that date to the Teutonic Order period. These cellars have endured through the castle’s many phases of use, providing a tangible connection to its medieval origins. During the postwar period, an additional building was appended onto the northern side of the main structure, reflecting adaptations made to serve new functions, such as education.

Throughout the 20th century, the castle retained key structural details from various restoration efforts, including aspects of the 16th-century transformation into a Renaissance palace. This layering of construction phases is visible in the current state of the building, which remains relatively well preserved. Although precise decorative elements, inscriptions, or archaeological finds have not been described, the existing masonry and cellars offer insight into the evolving use and care of the site over its long history.