The history of Latvia can be traced through castles, which are represented in huge numbers on the territory of the country. Unfortunately, not everyone has preserved their former beauty and grandeur. Many collapsed under the influence of natural forces and the human factor, but even the ruins leave a deep impression after a visit.
It is interesting, that on locks of Latvia it is possible to track ways of development of the country literally. They were erected by the Knights of the Levon Order, and by the Riga bishops to protect the state border. Now the restored wooden fortresses and elegant castles in the style of classicism and baroque are popular tourist places, where people from other countries get acquainted with the history of Latvia.
Turaida Castle in Sigulda
A trip to Latvia does not seem without visiting a medieval castle in the city of Sigulda . This is one of the main attractions of the country, which is on the right bank of the Gauja River, just 50 km to the north-east of the capital. Visit Turaida Castle is useful because you can see monuments of 11th century art architecture. Particularly interesting is the exhibition about the progress of the castle itself and the life around it.
Built in 1214, the castle was originally called Frdeland, which means "peaceful land", but the name did not catch on. The castle is known all over the world under a different name "Turaida" - "divine garden". The fire of 1776 completely destroyed the fortress, and from the beginning of the 19th century, residential houses, barns and other outbuildings began to appear in the courtyard of the medieval castle. Restoration works of the fortress began only 200 years after the fire.
The ticket costs in different ways for an ordinary tourist, student or pensioner. The price also depends on the period of visiting the castle. In winter, the ticket is cheaper than in the period from May to the end of October. You can get to the castle by car along the A2 (E77) road, and then turn onto the P8 road. Another option is to get there by public transport, first to the city of Sigulda, and then by taxi to the castle.
Rundale Castle
Another business card of Latvia is the Rundāle Castle , well-known all over the world for its exquisite architecture. This can be seen if you look at the castles of Latvia in the photo. It is located in the village Pilsrundale, which is reached either from Bauska or Jelgava . The author of the masterpiece is the same architect who created the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.
The castle, made in the Baroque style, occupies an area of 70 hectares. It includes hunting and French parks, a gardener's house, stables. To the creation of interior interiors, the most famous masters of the time put their hand. Visitors are still struck by modeling on artificial marble, painting on siens and ceilings.
In the main halls of the castle are held solemn events, concerts, as in the garden. Restoration work is carried out in some rooms to this day, and tourists are invited to visit thematic exhibitions in the gardener's house or stables.
Riga Castle
An uneasy fate fell to the Riga Castle , towering on the bank of the Western Dvina. He repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt, changed the owners. Now the Riga Castle is the residence of the Latvian president. Its construction began after the capture of the city by the Knights of the Levon Order in 1330. Construction work lasted more than 20 years, after which the master of the Livonian Order settled in the erected building.
The original view of the castle was presented as a closed quadrangle with a courtyard, but it changed a lot, starting from the middle of the 17th century. Internal partitions were broken, a garden was added, as well as residential and utility premises.
Getting to the Riga Castle is quite simple, the main thing is to find the Pils laukums 3 street in the central area. The castle doors are open from 11 to 17 on all days except Monday.
Marienburg Castle
Another construction of the times of the Livonian Order, from which, unfortunately, little remains - the Marienburg Castle. It is located in the Aluksne district, on the island, in the southern part of Lake Aluskane. This place is connected with a legend about a buried pot of gold somewhere in the vicinity.
The castle was built in 1341 by the Master of the Livonian Order and was constantly attacked by Russian and Swedish troops. The struggle for the Marienburg castle ceased in 1702, when, after the siege by the Russians, the Swedes surrendered the fortress. But the Swedish officers blew up the fortifications, thus almost completely destroying the structure. Since then, these events are witnessed only by bulk shafts.
Castle Jaunpils
Castle Jaunpils is interesting because it is the only attraction that has been preserved since the medieval times. It is located in the homonymous settlement, located 50 km from the city of Jelgava and 25 km from Dobele.
The date of the founding of the fortress is 1307, its founder is the master of the Levon Order Gottfried von Rogue. A legend is associated with the castle, which says that its next owner was a landowner possessed by the devil. A lot of rumors provoked the walls, the thickness of which is up to 2 m, which is why there are opinions that people are immured there.
Castle Jaunpils has a rather gloomy reputation associated with the family of von de River, who owned the building for a long time. One of the descendants built a construction feature, which he placed near the window. In bad weather, she starts to make terrible sounds. And although the design itself has survived to this day, the principle of its work has not been unraveled.
Look at the possessions that lead to the horror of the inhabitants of the Middle Ages, you can get from Riga by car. As for public transport, there are no direct flights to the castle. The only thing you can do is take the bus to Tukumus, from where you'll have to walk to the castle.
Other castles in Latvia
If you study the castles of Latvia , you can find more such objects, which must be visited. Among them is the castle of Dikli, located in the village of the same name. The building, built in a non-gothic style, was rebuilt until it acquired the features of classicism. Around it is a beautiful park, which successfully complements the castle complex. Today, Dikli Castle is a hotel with a restaurant and a bath complex.
Near the Latvian city of Cesis there are two interesting castles - the Araish lake and the Vendenskiy . Each of them has its own peculiarities, legends, but both are equally attractive for tourists.