The Toruń Castle was one of the first castles built by the Order in the lands ceded to them by Duke Conrad of Masovia. The construction started in mid 13th century, and continued for about a hundred years. It was the first Teutonic castle in the Chełmno Land. The new town of Toruń grew together with the Teutonic fortifications protecting it. The palace's historic value comes from the fact that it was the base for the Teutonic Knights when they began their first mission to colonize pagan Old Prussians, and subsequently the formation of the Teutonic state. The castle's first known function was as the residence of a Teutonic commander.