The biggest castle in the world, measured by land area, is Malbork Castle (the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork), located in northern Poland. Built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights, this massive brick Gothic fortress covers approximately 143,591 square meters (about 35 acres). It is located on the banks of the Nogat River, about 60 kilometers from the city of Gdansk. While Prague Castle in the Czech Republic is often cited as the largest ancient castle complex, Malbork holds the Guinness World Record for the largest castle by surface area. In 2026, it remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist destination, famous for its intricate defensive walls and millions of red bricks. Visiting Malbork is a grounded way to experience the sheer scale of medieval military architecture, as the complex was designed not just as a residence, but as a fortified city for thousands of knights.