- Address: Rigas iela 216b, Jekabpils, LV-5202;
- Phone: +371 65221042, +371 26597463;
- E-mail: krustpils1@inbox.lv;
- Official website: www.jekabpilsmuzeis.lv;
- Working hours: Mon - Fri: 9.00 -17.00, Sat, Sun: 10.00 - 17.00;
- The ticket price: $ 2.
One of the best preserved medieval castles in Latvia is Krustpils Castle. At the same time, it is poorly researched. The building was used for military purposes for most of the 20th century. Most likely, the castle was built in the late 13th century. In the following centuries, he passed from hand to hand until he became the property of the Korf family and in an ideal state lived to the twentieth century, but was later destroyed. Now it houses the Jekabpils History Museum.
Castle today
During the last decade there has been an active restoration and renovation of the castle. Important elements of the landscape are the 29 preserved farm buildings of the castle complex. When the repair comes to an end, Latvia will receive one of the most impressive and interesting monuments of architecture.
Krustpils Castle is built on the right bank of the Daugava , along the creek runs the stream Dzirnulite. The castle is some distance from the steep banks of both rivers, but both cliffs still look like earthworks. It is possible that other sides were protected by a moat, but its tracks were not preserved.
Architecture of the castle
The huge building was rebuilt and expanded many times over many centuries. There are different opinions of several specialists regarding the identification of the medieval parts of the building. Most likely a massive tower, as well as cellars with arches and buttresses belong to the Middle Ages.
Portal entrance to the courtyard is richly decorated. It consists of two caryatids holding volutes. The upper part of the volutes passes from the curls to the fruits and leaves. On the second floor, in the former dining room, there is a caisson ceiling with a rosette in the center. The chairs are decorated with ornate ornaments.
In one of the rooms on the first floor was found the decoration of the walls - artificial marble. On the stairs there is a painting, which includes the arms of the former owners.
Legends of Krustpils Castle
The castle has seen a lot in its time. Its history is accompanied by different stories and legends, which is very conducive to attracting tourists.
- One of the legends tells of the beginning of the construction of the castle. Every night someone was destroying everything built in a day and throwing stones around. People decided that it was Satan. They tried to get rid of it. They read prayers, put crosses, but nothing helped. Then they decided to sacrifice a man. We poured a local peasant and immured it in the wall. Everything went well, the unclean accepted the tribute. The tower began to be considered a miracle. You need to get on your knees, ring the bell, throw a coin and make a wish.
- Everyone who visits Krustpils Castle is shown a mirror of the Baroness. The legend says that it prolongs the youth of a woman in the eyes of her husband. You need to come here on your wedding day and look in the mirror. After the husband sees his wife in the mirror, she will forever remain for him such as this day.
- And, at last, the most important sight of the castle is a ghost. One of the barons Korfov fell in love with a simple girl and firmly decided to marry her. The family was against it. They lured her into the dungeon, killed and buried her. Since then, her ghost wanders around the castle, rings the pots and sighs. To see a lady is considered a good sign, she brings love. Night tour of the dungeons is very popular.
How to get there?
By train - from Riga to Krustpils. Travel time 2 hours 20 minutes.
By bus or car can be reached in 2 hours.