Preliminary assessment of structural masonry damage in Malbork Castle

Uneven subsoil settlement is identified as the primary cause of structural masonry damage in Malbork Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its medieval architecture. The study revealed previously undiscovered brick vaults beneath the basement floor during destructive testing, which included geodetic measurements, ultrasonic tomography, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) analysis. These findings highlight the need for systematic monitoring of displacements and comprehensive structural diagnostics in this historic monument, despite assumptions about its stable foundation.

Grzyb, K., Drobiec, Ł., Zając, J., & Drobiec, K. (2025). Preliminary assessment of structural masonry damage in Malbork Castle. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22, e04166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2024.e04166