Dundaga Castle
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Dundaga Castle | |
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Dundaga municipality, Courland, Latvia | |
![]() Dundaga Castle | |
Coordinates | 57°30′37″N 22°21′2″E / 57.51028°N 22.35056°E |
Type | Castle |
Site information | |
Condition | Preserved |
Site history | |
Built | Late 13th century |
Built by | Archbishop of Riga |
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Dundaga Castle is a medieval castle in Dundaga, in the Talsi Municipality in the Courland region of Latvia. Latvia considers Dundaga Castle to be a monument of archaeological and of architectural importance.
History
[edit]The Archbishopric of Riga gained control over the lands of Dundaga in 1237. Dundaga Castle was constructed next to a Curonian settlement (Dundagas Kalnadarzs hillfort). The exact time of construction is not known, though it is first mentioned in written sources in 1318.[1] It is assumed that the castle was constructed in the late 13th century, and several times captured by Livonian Order.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Soldier_looks_homeward_to_west.jpg/200px-Soldier_looks_homeward_to_west.jpg)
In 1434 the castle was sold to the Bishopric of Courland, and sold again in 1559 – to the King of Denmark who in turn granted it to his brother Magnus, Duke of Holstein – future Curonian Bishop.
In the middle of the 17th century it was transformed from a medieval fortress to a representative residence of a country nobleman by Anna Sybil (born Osten-Sacken). The third floor was added in 1785. The family of Osten-Sacken were owners of the castle up to 1920.
Dundaga Castle suffered heavily in a fire in 1872 and its historical interiors were destroyed. It burned again in 1905, and was renovated beginning in 1909 after the design of H. Pfeiffer. As a result, the castle was modernised and transformed.
Since 1926 the castle has been used as a public building – as a local municipal administration, school, and cultural institution.
The castle is the source of numerous legends, tales and ghost stories which, in many cases, are close to real historical events.
Description
[edit]The castle is surrounded by water on three sides. The fourth side was defended by a moat in medieval times, today it is on level ground.
The castle covers 48 by 69 meters (157 ft × 226 ft), rectangular, surrounded with high defensive walls. In the inner yard a well has been preserved. The castle has been transformed in numerous renovations and does not have a specific architectural style.
Interesting monuments of art are bas reliefs at both sides of the main entrance in the inner yard – made by A. Voltz in 1909. One represents a warrior monk, the other – a bishop.[2]
References
[edit]Sources
[edit]- Bankau J.F. Dondangen, Ritterschloss und Privatgut in Kurland. Dorpat, 1855. (in German)
External links
[edit]- Dundaga castle
- Ambermarks – Dundaga medieval castle
Media related to Dundaga Castle at Wikimedia Commons