Straupe

Straupe
Village
Lielstraupe Castle at Straupe village
Coat of arms
Nickname:  German: Roop
Straupe Location in Latvia
Coordinates: 57°20.822′N 24°56.852′E
Country	Latvia
Municipality	Cēsis
Town rights	1356
Lost town rights	17th century
Population  (2017)
• Total	475
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Calling code	+371 51
Website	http://www.straupe.lv/

Straupe (German: Groß-Roop) is a village in Straupe Parish, Cēsis Municipality in the Vidzeme region of Latvia.

History

Before the village was founded, the area was a part of the ancient Idumea country. When the von Rosen family arrived, they first started building what would become the Lielstraupe Castle in the 13th century. By the 14th century the village of Straupe began to develop around the castle and later became the trade center. Due to its role along trade routes it became known in German as Roop, and received its town privileges in 1374. During the fourteenth century, Straupe flourished as part of the mercantile Hanseatic League and was on its way to becoming a 'Hansa City'. However, the town was destroyed during the fierce fighting of the Polish–Swedish War (1600–29). While mostly rebuilt, Straupe had lost its trade significance and eventually reverted back to village status by the 17th century. During the Latvian War of Independence, Straupe witnessed fighting between Estonian-Latvian and German Landeswehr forces in the Battle of Cesis (1919).

Origin of name

It is possible that Straupe name comes from the Livonian language word raupa, meaning "running water."

See also

• Lielstraupe Castle

External links

• Media related to Straupe at Wikimedia Commons
• (in Latvian) Municipal website
• (in Latvian) Tourist information and the map of Straupe area
• (in Latvian) The coin "Straupe" issued within the international coin programme "Hansa Cities" (2006)