Teutonic State Order’s Cultural Heritage in Towns of Warmia-Masuria Province in Poland

Abstract

The area of contemporary Warmia-Masuria Province encompasses the major part of the monastic state of the Teutonic Knights, founded in the Middle Ages on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. This area is unique because of the preserved cultural heritage. By conquering and inhabiting the Prussian tribes areas monks left behind their legacy. In the article, the author presents cultural heritage of 49 cities of Warmia-Masuria Province from the period of a monastic state. The article is divided into two parts. The first part describes the size and condition of preserved cultural heritage. The second is an overview of selected processes, conditions and problems associated with the use and protection of the Teutonic heritage of Warmia-Masuria Province.