Inside world’s biggest castle, Malbork, in Poland

This gothic castle is so huge that visitors need at least five hours to see only the main rooms. For comparison, it’s two times the size of Buckingham Palace

A gothic castle in Poland is the biggest in the world, made up of 30 million bricks and the result of 132 years of work.

The incredible complex includes three castles within huge walls, is four times larger than Windsor castle and twice the size of Buckingham Palace.

Set alongside the River Nogat, the red brick castle has a maze of moats, a drawbridge, hundreds of different houses and towers with turrets, The Sun reports.

Malbork castle in Poland – the biggest castle in the world. Picture: istock

Malbork, spread over 52 acres, is four times the size of Windsor castle which is 13 acres. Picture: istock

Most of Malbork castle has been well preserved and although it was badly damaged in the Second World War, it reportedly looks similar to its appearance six centuries ago.

Originally home to 3,000 knights and their staff, the awe-inspiring complex is spread over more than two million square feet.

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Construction first began in 1274 by a group of religious knights – and became their headquarters for 150 years.

The long road of work began with High Castle, the first of the three.

This main structure was dubbed a “formidable central bastion” by Lonely Planet.

The impressive complex is made up of three different castles complete with towers, turrets, moats and drawbridges. Picture: istock

300,000 tourists flock to see the castle every year. Picture: istock

By 1309 the resident knights expanded it by adding the Middle Castle, and then a Lower Castle – encasing the impressive buildings with high defensive walls.

Today, visitors can wander around and inside the enormous castle, taking in the vast ceilings, impressive tile work and huge candle chandeliers.

Inside the castle courtyard. Picture: istock

Interior of the historic castle. Picture: istock

They can cross internal drawbridges and take in the full scale of it from across the river.

And tourists can visit the enormous kitchens – where enough food could once be stored for two years to feed 400 people.

There are also different exhibitions in the castle including an amber museum – a precious material that made money for the knights who lived there once and controlled the coast where it was found.

Each year over 300,000 tourists flock to visit the castle.

It was seized by the Polish army in 1457 and became home Polish royalty before it later fell into disrepair.

When Germany occupied Poland in the Second World War it became a popular attraction for Nazis before being badly damaged as Hitler’s troops were forced back by the Soviet Union in 1945.

Now it’s described as a “beautifully restored” museum site.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission