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Castles of East Prussia
 Balga was a famous castle of East Prussia. The castle was founded in 1239 and in the beginning was made from wood. In 1250 stone Balga building was finished, which had central part in the shape of rectangle. It was formed by three wings connected to each other. For the service of Komtur, who was a Teutonic knights` commander and had residence in the Balga castle, there was residence building, meeting hall, church, arsenal, and refectory. That part of the castle was surrounded by inner ditch and walls, parts of which still remains.
The forburg (front fortification) was located outside of the walls, as well as, stable, workshops, servant and barracks, mills, storehouses, bake houses. They also were protected by outer wall and ditch. It`s easy to believe, that such castle was never captured.
The Balga castle was famous of many historical military events there. It had perfect geographical and strategic location on the high coast on the bay from North-West side, river from the East, swamps and wood fortress on the south-west.
Armies of Sweden king Gustav Adolf in 17th century used allied Balga castle for their needs during wars with Poland. Russian garnizon was there during Seven Years War in 18th century. In 1813 French army during Napoleon wars ran out from eastern territory of Europe by the only one promising in their situation ice road through bay near Balga, which got name “French road”. From autumn of 1944 there was a Nazi spy school “166 M”. On March 29th in 1945 Heilsberg Group of Nazi army was destroyed in Balga castle.
It is a mistake to think that Balga castle was destroyed during the WWII. In 18 - 19th century citizens deconstructed some parts of the Balga and salvaged stones from the castle, which were used for other needs. In 1928 on the remaining territory was organized a tourist zone with regional museum. | 
