Poland celebrates 600 years since the Battle of Grunwald

On July 15, Poland hosted official celebrations of the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald. Polish President-elect Bronislaw Komorowski and foreign guests attended the ceremony.

On July 15, 1410, the alliance of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, led respectively by King Jogaila and Grand Duke Vytautas decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights, led by Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen. Most of the Teutonic Knight's leadership was killed or taken prisoner.

For about 200 years the Teutonic Order of Knights held sway over Eastern Poland, Lithuania and northwestern Russia. With a Papal mandate to bring Christianity to this home of pagans, the Order conducted a ruthless campaign.

While defeated, the Teutonic Knights withstood the siege on their fortress in Marienburg (Malbork) and suffered only minimal territorial losses. However, the Knights never recovered their former power and the financial burden of war reparations caused internal conflicts and an economic downturn in their lands. The battle shifted the balance of power in Eastern Europe and marked the rise of the Polish–Lithuanian union as the dominant political and military force in the region.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Romanian and Moldovan leaders and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek joined Bronislaw Komorowski at the site of the historic battle.

Volunteer knights re-enacted the episodes of the Battle of Grunwald for the distinguished guests.

Residents of medieval Grunwald greet the Polish king

The monument in Grunwald dedicated to the victory over the Teutonic Knights

The camp of Teutonic Knights

A fair for real warriors: helmets, axes, swords and other weapons for the battle.

On Thursday night, a theater performance was held to mark the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald.