The castle of the Bishops of Warmia in Lidzbark Warmiński is undoubtedly the finest example of medieval secular architecture in northern Poland. This Gothic residence, built between 1350 and 1401, served as the seat of the bishops of Warmia for more than five centuries, from 1243 to 1794. Lidzbark Castle is not only an impressive fortress, but also an important cultural center, where prominent humanists resided, including the most famous of them - Nicolaus Copernicus, who lived here from 1503 to 1510 as secretary and physician to his uncle, Bishop Luke Watzenrode. The quadrilateral building with an inner courtyard surrounded by cloisters impresses with its perfect proportions and richness of architectural details. Particularly noteworthy are the magnificent star vaults in the bishop's chambers and the castle chapel with its original polychromes. The castle underwent a transformation from a purely defensive structure into a Renaissance residence, which is perfectly evident in the elegant interiors of the bishop's palace.

Of a completely different nature is the Teutonic Castle in Olsztynek, which, although smaller, hides a fascinating history of the borderland. Erected in the 14th century as the seat of a Teutonic commandery, it was an important strategic point on the route between Olsztyn and Ostroda. The castle in Olsztynek is distinguished by its unusual spatial layout - instead of the classic quadrilateral, it has an irregular shape, adapted to the terrain. Its massive red brick walls, characteristic of Teutonic Order construction, hide many secrets. According to local legends, there are extensive undergrounds and tunnels under the castle, which were supposed to serve as escape routes during sieges. Although the castle suffered during the Polish-Teutonic wars and was later partially rebuilt, you can still admire its austere beauty and power.

The Teutonic Castle in Nidzica, on the other hand, is one of the best-preserved Teutonic castles in Poland, impressing with its size and monumental bulk. Erected between 1370 and 1400, it served as a border watchtower between the monastic state and Mazovia. Its distinctive features include two massive towers on the south side and a vast courtyard. Nidzica Castle is famous for the tragic legend of the beautiful Baszta, daughter of a komtur, who fell in love with a Polish knight. When her father found out about the affair, he had the girl walled up alive in one of the towers. It is said that on moonless nights you can hear her crying and moaning. The castle has survived many wars and disasters, including a fire in 1784, after which it was rebuilt. Today it houses a museum with a rich collection of artifacts related to the history of the region, as well as an exhibition of instruments of torture, reminiscent of the dark pages of medieval jurisprudence.

The Teutonic Castle in Kętrzyn, built between 1359 and 1370, is another jewel of Gothic architecture in the region. This powerful fortress was not only the seat of the Teutonic procuratorate, but also an important military point. The castle in Kętrzyn went down in history with an unusual event - during the Thirteen Years' War, local shoemakers murdered the Teutonic prosecutor Wolfgang Sauer here, which became a symbol of rebellion against the power of the Order. The building has the shape of a regular quadrangle with an inner courtyard, and its characteristic element is a high tower, which served both as an observation post and the last bastion of defense. The castle has undergone numerous reconstructions and now houses a museum, library and cultural center. The museum's collection features exhibits related to the history of the city and the region, including unique artifacts from the Prussian and Teutonic times. Of particular interest is a collection of medieval militaria and an exhibition on ancient crafts.

Less well-known, but equally fascinating, is the Teutonic Castle in Barciany, which is an excellent example of the Order's provincial defensive architecture. Erected in 1377-1390, it served as the seat of the procurator and border guard. The castle in Barciany stands out from other Teutonic Order strongholds by its compact nature - all the living and business quarters were housed in one massive building. Although the castle suffered during the Polish-Teutonic wars and was partially rebuilt in later centuries, it still impresses with the raw beauty of its Gothic architecture. According to local legends, the castle's vaults hid monastic treasures that were never found. Some say that on moonless nights one can see the ghost of a Teutonic knight guarding the hidden riches.

The Museum of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn is housed in the Gothic castle of the Warmian chapter, built in 1346-1353. This building is of special historical significance, since Nicolaus Copernicus himself served here as administrator of the Olsztyn bailiwick from 1516 to 1521. It was in this castle that the great astronomer conducted observations of the sky and worked on his groundbreaking work 'On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres'. On the wall of the cloister is preserved an astronomical chart made by him, used to determine the vernal equinoxes. Olsztyn Castle also played an important role during the Polish-Teutonic war in 1521, when Copernicus successfully prepared the defense of the fortress against the attack of the monastic army. Today, in the castle chambers you can admire rich collections related to the history and culture of the region, including unique exhibits of Gothic art, handicrafts and memorabilia related to Copernicus. Particularly valuable is the collection of Gothic sacred sculptures and medieval manuscripts.

The ruins of Szczytno Castle are a place shrouded in mystery and legends. Originally a wooden watchtower stronghold, it was replaced by a brick Teutonic fortress in the 14th century. Szczytno Castle witnessed many dramatic events, including a siege during the Great Prussian Uprising in 1454. According to local legends, in the castle's vaults there was a passage leading all the way to Lake Sasek Wielki, several kilometers away, by which the monastic knights could escape in case of danger. Although today only fragments of the walls remain from the once mighty fortress, the place still exudes an unusual atmosphere. The castle ruins became an inspiration for Henryk Sienkiewicz, who placed part of the plot of his novel 'Krzyzacy' here. It was in Szczytno that Jurand of Spychow was to be imprisoned, and his daughter Danusia was to die here at the hands of a cruel komtur. Today the castle grounds are open to the public, and the preserved fragments of the walls allow one to imagine the former power of this fortress.

Comparing all seven castles of Warmia and Mazury, one can see clear differences in their architecture, state of preservation and accessibility for tourists. The best preserved and most impressive is undoubtedly the Castle of the Bishops of Warmia in Lidzbark Warmiński, which offers the richest museum exhibition and best preserved interiors. It is more expensive to visit, but worth every penny because of its class and historical significance. The castles in Olsztyn and Nidzica are also in very good condition and offer rich museum displays at an average price. The castle in Kętrzyn, although smaller, stands out for its interesting history and well-preserved architecture, and is less expensive to visit than the larger buildings.

On the other hand, the castles in Olsztynek and Barciany, although less well-known and less frequently visited by tourists, offer a more intimate experience and the possibility of a quiet tour without crowds, which is their undoubted advantage. They are also the cheapest to visit. The castle ruins in Szczytno, though the least preserved, have their own unique charm and literary connotations that attract lovers of Sienkiewicz's work.

In terms of accessibility, the best performing castles are those in Olsztyn and Lidzbark Warmiński, which are adapted for people with disabilities and offer information materials in multiple languages. The castles in Nidzica and Kętrzyn are also relatively accessible, although they may pose some challenges for people with limited mobility due to numerous stairs and narrow passageways. The sites in Olsztynek, Barciany and Szczytno are the least accessible to people with disabilities, which is a significant drawback.

It is worth noting that each of the described castles has its own unique character and offers a unique experience. The castle in Lidzbark impresses with its elegance and richness of architectural details, the castle in Nidzica impresses with its power and monumentality, the castle in Olsztyn attracts with its links to Copernicus, and the ruins in Szczytno - with literary connotations. The castles in Kętrzyn, Olsztynek and Barciany, although less well-known, hide fascinating stories and legends waiting to be discovered by inquisitive tourists. Regardless of which one you choose, each provides a fascinating history lesson and allows you to move back in time, when these lands were the arena of dramatic events shaping the history of Poland and Europe.