The palatial stronghold in
Lidzbark Warmiński, which for centuries was the largest town in
Warmia, is located by the
estuary of the river
Symsarna with the river
Łyna. The stronghold is encircled by a defensive
moat. An additional "dry moat" encircled the local living quarters located close to the stronghold – all of the defensive structures survive except the northern-moat, where the castle's
windmill was once located. The castle was built on a plan of a
square formation, with 48,5
metre long walls. A fourteen level tower is located in the north-east wing of the castle. The lower part of the tower, built in a
square structure has
posterns – while the upper part of the tower is
octagonal. The other four corners of the castle have small square decorational towers, whose design changed throughout the centuries. The castle courtyard is made up of two levels – both with
cloisters; these are the only historical cloisters in
Poland which have not architecturally changed. The stronghold has aspects relating to the
Teutonic Order, whose architectural style can be both seen in the castle's courtyard but also traced in the representative level of the castle in: the
chapel; the small and big
refectory; in the
capitulary; common hall; and in the
bishops'
chambers. The castle serves as one of the main attractions of the town and regularly hosts cabaret events in the Autumn months. ==History==