On the site of the Prussian fortress the Order built Wehlau Castle, at first of earth and timber. The Prussians besieged the castle in 1262 but, despite several attempts to storm it, were unable to take it. As early as 1280, however, the rebellious Prussian tribes of the Sudovians did burn Wehlau Castle down. At the beginning of the 14th century the castle was rebuilt in stone, and a settlement soon grew up by its walls, receiving Kulm town rights in 1339. In 1347 Lithuanian warriors led by Duke Kęstutis burned both the town and the castle. While the town was rebuilt, it was decided to erect a Franciscan friary on the foundations of the castle. In 1517 the friary moved to Königsberg. And although no friars remained in Wehlau, in 1525, as the Duchy of Prussia converted to Lutheranism, the people of Wehlau destroyed the Catholic friary in a fit of religious zeal. This was, however, practically the only episode of religious intolerance during the period when Protestantism was taking hold in Prussia. The townspeople built houses on the land vacated by the friary.
Translated from Russian with the help of AI (Claude, Anthropic), October 2026.
