Człuchow Teutonic Castle
The castle complex consists of four unusual wings that are not systematically connected. The individual buildings and wings do not form a clear quadrilateral of the main castle but instead seem to grow together gradually. Over the entire complex towers an octagonal-shaped tower, located at the corner in an open space created by the shortening of two wings. The tower adjoins both outer walls, protecting the gateway at its base. Based on the partially preserved perimeter walls, it can be inferred that the castle no longer had corner turrets. The lower parts of the wall, which reach a significant height, are made of fieldstone. Only the window jambs and corners are more carefully crafted. The brick part of the wall, preserved to a small extent, does not display any decorative patterns.
Three outer baileys, located on the western, northern, and eastern sides of the main castle, were very extensive and well-fortified. Separated from each other by moats filled with lake water, they were surrounded by walls with intermediate and corner towers. The layout of the outer baileys and their surrounding walls is largely preserved and legible. The eastern bailey's walls, made of fieldstone like those of the main castle, are the best preserved. Such a number of outer baileys was not exceptional – they served as a reserve of resources, housing granaries and economic buildings that supported the castle. During wartime, they provided shelter for the local population.
The prolonged construction of the castle is difficult to explain. The extension of the building work until 1365 may have been due to economic difficulties, but it is more likely that the original construction plan was changed, leading to the partial reconstruction of the already completed building. The consecration of the castle chapel in 1365 marked the end of a forty-year period of construction.
The best-preserved element of the castle is the tower. The original medieval tower top did not survive, and the current battlements date from 1842. During the military actions of 1410, the castle was not captured, and the Teutonic Knights retained the commandery of Człuchów. It was only during the Thirteen Years' War that the castle was captured, and after 1466 it became the seat of Polish starosts.
Information about the appearance of the castle, its architectural changes, and furnishings comes from inspections of royal estates conducted from the second half of the 16th century. Due to the poor condition of the castle, these are the only sources that allow for a somewhat accurate reconstruction of the appearance and layout of the individual rooms. A detailed picture in this respect is provided by the inspection of 1565. The outer baileys were surrounded by moats filled with water, and access to them was possible via drawbridges. The bridge was raised using a crane on iron chains; this also applied to the footbridge. The gate was located at the foot of the tower.
The entire northern wing was occupied by a vaulted chapel, illuminated by eight windows. The chapel's furnishings were quite rich, including three altars with paintings. The southern wing housed the residential quarters of the starost and his officials, and from there, a gallery led to the gdanisko, where the toilets were located. The western wing probably contained the refectory or dining hall. The courtyard was surrounded by a gallery supported by brick pillars, some of which have survived to this day. The cellars and ground floor served economic functions. The ground floor contained the kitchen, brewery, bakery, and servants' quarters. In the southeast corner of the courtyard, there was a brick well, which was not used because the water was salty and unsuitable for drinking.
Until the partitions of Poland, Człuchów Castle was the seat of Polish starosts. At the beginning of the 17th century, one of them was Jakub Wejher, who funded the construction of a church in the town, consecrated in 1647. Two fires in the city in 1786 and 1793 were turning points in the castle's history, causing enormous destruction. At that time, the Prussian authorities allowed the demolition of the castle and outer baileys to obtain building materials for the town. As a result of this decision, the castle quickly began to disappear. In 1826-1827, an Evangelical church was built on the foundations of the northern wing. Only the tower survived the destruction, and in 1842-1844 it was topped with neo-Gothic battlements. In this form, the castle ruins have survived to this day.