Castle of the Order of St. John in Łagów

The Castle of the Order of St. John in Łagów is located in the municipality of Łagów, Poland. Its origins date back to the late 13th century when the Ascanian dynasty constructed a fortress to protect an important trade route from Frankfurt (Oder) through Rzepin and Schwiebus to Posen, guarding this border region against Polish incursions.

By the mid-14th century, ownership of the site transferred to the Order of St. John, also known as the Johanniterorden. After being pledged in 1347, the castle and its surrounding estate became a confirmed possession of the Order by 1350. At that time, the commandery overseeing Łagów also included the nearby settlement of Zielenzig, which had come under the Order’s control in 1318. Soon after 1351, the existing defenses were expanded with the construction of a new castle, divided into two main rectangular sections: the eastern half served as the Order’s stronghold, while the western half was dedicated to economic activities. The leadership of the commandery was clearly established by 1357, with the first known commander or Komtur named Heinrich von Wedel recorded in 1372.

During the turbulent early 15th century, the castle played a role in regional conflicts. In 1433, it faced a threat from a combined Polish-Hussite army. In this conflict, Balthasar von Schlieben, who was then Komtur, defected to the Hussite side, a significant event reflecting the shifting allegiances of the period. Later, in the mid-15th century, the castle became a venue for important Brandenburg councils held in 1460, 1464, and 1467. These gatherings focused on preparing diplomatic negotiations with Poland, emphasizing the site’s strategic and political importance.

The 16th century brought religious transformation. In 1538, following the introduction of the Reformation to the Neumark region, the Johanniter commandery in Brandenburg adopted Protestantism. This change influenced the castle’s interior, leading to modifications that made the living quarters more suitable for commanders’ families, marking a shift from purely military use to residential functions.

In the course of the Thirty Years’ War, Swedish forces captured the castle in 1640. Afterward, control shifted to Brandenburg-Prussia, reflecting the broader changes in territorial governance in the region. The Order of St. John was dissolved by royal decree in 1810, prompting the secularization of its properties. Following this edict, the castle was granted as a private fief to the von Klepzig family, who retained ownership until the end of World War II in 1945. Since then, the castle has become public property managed by the local municipality.