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Krimulda Castle today

Latvia · Ruin

Krimulda Castle

Krimuldas viduslaiku pils

Krimulda Castle is a medieval stone castle on a high right-bank site of the Gauja river near Sigulda in Latvia, originally dating from the 14th century. It was besieged and burned in 1601 and thereafter left unrepaired; the present remains are ruinous stone walls built of large boulders with brick-framed openings.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1500

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1500

What Krimulda Castle looked like in its prime.

A roofless fragment of massive curtain wall built from large rounded boulders with brick used to line openings; two tall, pointed, Gothic-style window arches sit one above the other with a smaller rounded arched doorway at ground level. The wall stands on the edge of a steep, wooded river valley and would have formed part of a compact riverside stronghold with very thick ground-level masonry and a rough, irregular silhouette against trees.

Its story

The story of Krimulda Castle.

Krimulda Castle, Burg Kremon in German, stands on a high right-bank site above the Gauja river near Sigulda, in Latvia's Vidzeme region. Dating from the 14th century, it was besieged and burned in 1601 and thereafter left unrepaired; what remains are ruinous stone walls built of large boulders with brick-framed openings.

Beside the ruin grew a manor: Prince Liven's living house, built in the classic style, with a complex that includes a steward's house, coach house and Swiss cottage. The site is today a tourist attraction just outside Sigulda, in Sigulda Municipality.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1500.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Krimulda Castle, including 1 interior: forecastle (inner forecourt) behind the drawbridge. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach across the ravine and drawbridgeExterior face with twin pointed windowsGround-level arched entranceForecastle (inner forecourt) behind the drawbridgeView from the Gauja river valleyClose-up of ground-level stonework and wall thickness

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Whose castle

Clans who held Krimulda Castle.

The families that held Krimulda Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Liven

    The manor beside the ruin was Prince Liven's; his classic-style living house survives with the steward's house and coach house.

Questions about Krimulda Castle

What is the history of Krimulda Castle?

Krimulda Castle dates from the 14th century and was built as a fortified stronghold above the Gauja river. Its steep river valley, the Vikmeste river and a man-made ravine protected it, with a drawbridge leading to the forecastle. It was burned in 1601 and later became a romantic addition to a park rather than a military fortification.

What is inside Krimulda Castle?

Krimulda Castle contained a kitchen, dining hall and auxiliary rooms, with cellars below them. Living rooms occupied the second floor, while small chambers were on the third floor. The forecastle, or inner forecourt, lay behind the drawbridge.

Why was Krimulda Castle built, and what was it used for?

Krimulda Castle was built for defence in a strategically protected position above the Gauja river. Its steep valley walls, the Vikmeste river and a defensive ravine made it difficult to conquer. In the mid-19th century, it regained a non-military purpose as a romantic addition to a park under Prince Liven's ownership.

Where is Krimulda Castle?

Krimulda Castle is just outside Sigulda, in Sigulda Municipality in the Vidzeme region. It stands on the high right bank of the Gauja river, near the Vikmeste castle mound and the village of Livs.

When was Krimulda Castle built?

Krimulda Castle belongs to the 13th–14th centuries: its construction year is considered to be 1255, while other descriptions date the castle from the 14th century. It was first mentioned in 1312, during the Livonian civil war.

Was Krimulda Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Krimulda Castle was attacked and fell in 1601. Swedish troops conquered it during the Swedish-Polish war, and advancing Polish troops burned it later that year so it would not fall into enemy hands. It was not repaired after the fire.

Which family or clan held Krimulda Castle?

The Liven family held the manor beside Krimulda Castle. Prince Liven's classic-style living house survived as part of a complex that also included a steward's house and coach house.

What did Krimulda Castle look like in its prime?

Krimulda Castle was a compact riverside stronghold with massive, roofless curtain walls made from large rounded boulders. Brick lined the openings, including two tall pointed Gothic-style window arches above a smaller rounded-arched doorway. The thick masonry and irregular silhouette stood against the wooded edge of the steep river valley.

Is Krimulda Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Krimulda Castle is now a ruin, with unrepaired stone walls surviving after the 1601 fire. The remains are built from large boulders, with brick-framed openings. The outer wall was about 1.5–2 metres thick, and later archaeological work led to a fortress outer wall with Gothic windows being built on old foundations.

Can you visit Krimulda Castle?

Krimulda Castle is a tourist attraction just outside Sigulda. Its surviving ruins and surrounding manor complex can be visited as a historic site, although the castle itself remains a ruin rather than a functioning residence.

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