The nearby Sigulda New Castle is actually a 1878 palace of the local nobility. Originally built in 1207 it became the residence of Livonian Order Land Marshal in 1432. The grey Sigulda Medieval Castle is now semi-ruined. Both may only be easily seen after getting a park ticket. Turaida Lutheran church (1750) is located nearby, most famous for a tragic legend about a pretty girl nicknamed “Rose of Turaida” and her tragic death (she is buried nearby). They offer great views of the Gauja national park. Although heavily damaged later, some walls and two towers have been reconstructed in the 20th century. The red brick Turaida castle (1214) of Livonian Order is the most famous as it is seamlessly integrated into the landscape.

Livonian Order Medieval castle of Sigulda. At the time German bishops of Riga would compete for domination of Latvia against German knights and the borderline between to powers ran at Gauja river, leading to them building castles here. Three Medieval castles are located in the area, once built and owned by the German conquerors. 17 000) is a town famous for its castles and picturesque natural surroundings which form the Gauja National park (nicknamed “Switzerland of Latvia”). ©Augustinas Žemaitis.īoth Rundale and Jelgava palaces were created by Bartolomeo Rastrelli – the favorite architect of Russian czars who was behind the Winter Palace (Hermitage) and Tsarskoye Selo Palace near St. The Rundale palace is the main reminder of this small-yet-rich country, as the Dukes’ primary residence in Jelgava had its interior looted and burned by the Russian forces in 1918. Courland even participated in the colonization of Americas, colonizing Gambia and Tobago island in the 17th century where a geographical feature is still named Great Courland Bay. Unlike all other noble families of Poland-Lithuania who would merely own their lands as freehold, the dukes of Courland-Semigallia (Kettler and Biron dynasties) had their own semi-sovereign duchy, leading to unmatched importance and riches. An Eastern-style pavilion in Rundale garden. First floors houses temporary exhibitions.įormal garden in front of the palace with its straight paths and a fountain is another pinnacle of the visit. Restorations are ongoing and much of what haven’t survived has been restored. Many opulent rooms may be visited inside on the second floor. The Baroque edifice has been built in 1736-1768 as a summer residence of the dukes of Courland and Semigallia. Rundale Palace is the leading palace of the Baltic States both by size and extravagance, making it one of Latvia’s top tourist sights. Many of these palaces have been converted into hotels or public buildings. Unfortunately, many of them had their interiors gutted by the Soviets who nationalized them, but the restored exteriors give a nice touch to the Latvian landscape. Some of the prettiest ones stand in Cesvaine, Gulbene area, and Western Semigallia. These were often built to remind Medieval castles. That allowed local German and Russian nobility to develop large manors centered around extravagant new palaces. Before World War 1 (1914), Latvia had spent some 100 years without any warfare on its soil. However, actual wars in Europe were rare in that era. Daugavpils 19th century fortress entrance. Both are well preserved (although partly abandoned) and popular among Latvia’s visitors who see beauty in 19th-century military architecture. Russians constructed the fortress of Daugavpils and an entire naval military city in Liepāja. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.Īs Latvia was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th century it once again was near a borderline of civilizations (Eastern Orthodox and Western). Latvia has some of the Baltic States prettiest palaces in Rundale and Jelgava which once housed the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia. ©Augustinas Žemaitis.Īs the era of crusades ended, the nobility moved from fortified castles to opulent palaces. Cēsis Medieval Castle, the seat of Grand Master of Livonian Order.

Many of them have been partly restored and host museums today. In order to do this, they have heavily fortified Latvia.Ĭrusader castles remain in Sigulda, Cēsis, Koknese, Bauska, Riga, Ventspils and other locations. They later continued their fight by attacking Lithuanians further south. They date from the era of Baltic Crusades when German knights (Livonian Order) subdued the local pagan Latvians.

Medieval abandoned castle