Castles of Estonia: photos with descriptions, historical facts

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

There are more than 1000 fortresses and castles in Estonia. Once upon a time, German and Russian landowners lived in them. In modern times, many estates have become galleries, luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants.

While traveling through the countryside, tourists can see elegant historical architecture. Some castles in Estonia are completely destroyed, but many have been restored and are open to the public.

Almost all restored castles have their own well-groomed gardens, and art collections are stored in the buildings. Fortresses and castles in Estonia were divided into two types: the first belonged to the Livonian Order, and the second to the bishopric.

Paide Castle

The facility is located in Paide, a city in central Estonia. The castle was built by order of Konrad von Mandern, a knight of the Livonian Order, around 1265-1266. The center of the fortress was a six-story tower. Later, the castle walls were fortified and two more towers were built.

During the Livonian War, the castle was repeatedly besiegedRussian troops, and in 1573 it was captured by order of Ivan the Terrible. During the siege, his faithful servant Malyuta Skuratov died, which caused the tsar's terrible fury. Ivan the Terrible ordered to burn all the captives. Having taken possession of the fortress, the tsar returned to Novgorod, and the castle passed to the Swedes. Further, during the Swedish-Polish war, Paide Castle was completely destroyed, in this state it stood for two centuries.

In 1895-1897, restoration work began on the central tower and in some other parts of the castle. However, in 1941, during World War II, the central tower was blown up.

The fortress was completely restored already in the 90s, but it was no longer of great historical value. The tower houses an art gallery, a medieval-style restaurant, exhibitions on the history of the area and an observation deck with excellent views of the city.

Rakvere Castle

The facility is located in the northern part of Estonia in the city of Rakvere, 20 kilometers south of the Gulf of Finland. The first fortifications date from around 1252. At first it was a wooden citadel built by the Dane Wesenberg. In 1346, a large stone castle was built on the site of a wooden fortress. During the Polish-Swedish war in 1600-1629, it was partially blown up and badly damaged.

In our time, Rakvere Castle Estonia has been partially restored, the restorers managed to preserve the architecture of the Middle Ages. Tourists can visit the citadel, where knightly life is recreated. Theatrical performances are often held in the courtyard andexcursions. Visitors can dress up in medieval costumes and work as a blacksmith or potter.

Narva Fortress

Narva Fortress or Herman Castle was founded in 1256 by the Danes. In 1347, the King of Denmark, Valdemar, sold Northern Estonia (including Narva) to the Livonian Order, which rebuilt the building according to their requirements. Throughout its history, the castle belonged to Denmark, Russia, Sweden and Germany. During World War II it was badly damaged. Restoration of the Narva fortress continues in our time. Now there is a museum, a library and a beautiful park.

Lode Castle

Lode Castle is also known as Koluvere. In 1439, it passed into the possession of Bishop Saare Lääne and became one of his main residences. Between 1646 and 1771 the castle belonged to the von Leuven family. By that time, the fortress had lost its military significance and was henceforth used as an aristocratic residence.

In 1771, the building passed into the hands of Grigory Orlov, after which it became the property of Empress Catherine the Great. Currently, Lode Castle in Estonia is private property and is only partially open to the public. The main function of the estate is to hold festive events.

Hapsalu Castle

This is an episcopal castle with a cathedral, the construction and reconstruction of which continued for several centuries. During the Northern War, the walls of the castle were partially destroyed by order of Peter I.

Hapsalu Cathedral was the main church of the Ezel-Vik bishopric. At first it was used as a defensive structure. In 1688 the roof of the church was destroyed by fire. In the 18th century, the reconstruction of the ruins in the castle park began, the church was also repaired and restored.

According to legend, on the full moon in August, the image of the White Lady appears on the inner wall of the temple - a girl who was walled up in the walls of the church.

Toolse Castle

Its founder is the master of the Livonian Order Johann Waldhaun von Gerse. The castle was supposed to protect Rakvere from pirate raids. The construction lasted two centuries, but during the Livonian War the buildings were completely destroyed. Later there was an attempt to partially restore the fortress, but the Northern War did not allow these plans to come true. The castle has completely fallen into ruins.

The walls of the castle have survived to this day. The ruins were fortified and "mothballed". Now climbers use them for their own purposes.

Põltsamaa Castle

Located in the east of Estonia, it was founded by the Livonian Order in 1272 as a defensive fortress of the Crusaders. During the Livonian War, the castle was briefly occupied by Polish troops, and from 1570 to 1578 it served as the official residence of Duke Magnus Holstein, who sought to create the Livonian kingdom with the help of Ivan the Terrible.

In 1941, the castle was almost destroyed by bombs. Today of the main buildings preservedchurch and several outbuildings.

Toompea Castle

This is a fortress on a hill in the central part of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Now it houses the country's parliament.

The fortress began to be built by the Danish king Valdemar after the victory in the battle of Lindanise over the pagans. The castle building was called the "Fortress of the Danes", and the Russians called it "Kolyvan". Later, a high tower "Long German" was built in the castle, which was used as an observation post.

Toompea Castle is perfectly preserved and is considered a historically valuable architectural ensemble of the B altics.

Kuressaare Castle

The fortress was built at the crossroads of the most important trade routes. At first, the small building was used as a bishop's residence. Construction was completed around 1400. Kuressaare Fortress is one of the few that have survived to this day. Minor damage to the building was caused during the Northern War, but they were quickly eliminated.

In 1968-1985, large-scale reconstruction work was carried out, during which the destroyed parts of the towers were restored. Now there is a museum in the fortress, and the surroundings have been turned into a picturesque park.

Estonian castles – estates

Maarjamägi, the former residence of Count Orlov-Davydov, is now a branch of the Estonian History Museum.

Sangaste, or Sagnitz Castle is one of the last fortresses of the Livonian Order. There is a museum in the building, an oak grows in the park, which, according to legend,planted by Tsar Peter.

Taagepera is a manor in the village of the same name, which is often called a castle because of its large size. It was recognized as a landmark of Estonia, now it houses a hotel, and marriages are often held.

Alatskivi is a manor-castle in the village of the same name. Nowadays, the estate hosts conferences, seminars, there is a museum of Eduard Tubin, there is a restaurant and a small hotel.

Estonian castles open to the public offer medieval architecture. They host exhibitions, cafes and museums. Visiting these sights, you can travel back several centuries. And be sure to take a photo of the castles of Estonia, because they are all located in the picturesque places of the B altic States.