Latvia · Partial ruin
Sigulda Medieval Castle
Sigulda Medieval Castle is a medieval fortress on a promontory at the edge of the Gauja valley in Vidzeme, Latvia, originally erected in the early 13th century and later converted into a convent-type castle. The site preserves a central castellum with surrounding fore-castle walls, a prominent gate tower and chapel gable; much of the structure survives as fortified ruins reopened for visitors after 2012.
First raised
1207
Its prime
1432
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1432
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact stone castle of local fieldstone and dolomite with a tall rectangular castellum and a four-storey gate tower; square towers project from the southern fore-castle wall. The south chapel gable rises above the curtain wall with a large pointed arch window and a painted cross on its face. A timber-covered hoarding/walkway runs along the upper curtain, with narrow arrow slits below. The site sits on a steep promontory with a defensive ditch and a wooden approach bridge and drawbridge.
Its story
The story of Sigulda Medieval Castle.
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword — German warrior monks founded in 1202, the first such order outside the Mediterranean — built Sigulda in 1207 as a castellum-type fortress on the edge of the Gauja valley, after the land division agreed with Bishop Albert of Riga. When the Brothers were absorbed into the Teutonic Order, the castle passed to the Livonian Order.
Rebuilt as a convent-type building, it served from 1432 as the residence of the Livonian Order's Land Marshal. Later it belonged to Peter Lacy, Governor of Livland, then George Brown and the von der Borch family, whose coat of arms decorated the gate tower. The walls were refortified in the 20th century and reopened to visitors in 2012.
Step inside
12 places to explore in 1432.
The record describes 12 distinct spots at Sigulda Medieval Castle — including 5 interiors: top of the main gate tower, chapel interior (second floor), great hall on the main floor and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Sigulda Medieval Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1432 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Sigulda Medieval Castle.
The families that held Sigulda Medieval Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Livonian Order
Built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in 1207 and held by the Livonian Order, whose Land Marshal resided here from 1432.
Borch
Belonged to the von der Borch family, whose coat of arms decorated the gate tower of the inner castle.
