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Ventspils Castle today

Latvia · Restored

Ventspils Castle

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Ventspils Castle is a medieval Livonian Order fortress in Ventspils, Latvia, rebuilt in the 17th century into a convent-type residence and later used for many civic purposes. The freestanding square tower and four wings around a rectangular courtyard survive and the complex has been restored and houses a museum and cultural events.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1201

Its prime

1650

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1650

What Ventspils Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact convent-type castle of pale yellow plastered masonry with a prominent freestanding square tower rising above four contiguous wings that enclose a rectangular interior courtyard. Roofs are covered in red clay tiles; the tower carries a steep pyramidal tiled roof and lookout added later. Façades show regular small rectangular and arched windows and simple white trim; a low single-storey annex with a metal roof sits against one wing, and a cobbled forecourt opens to the tower entrance.

Its story

The story of Ventspils Castle.

Ventspils Castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved Livonian Order castles, having retained its original layout since the 13th century. Through its 700-year history it has served as fortress, residence, garrison, school, military base and prison. As part of the Duchy of Courland it was the residence of the city master, until the Polish-Swedish War destroyed it, only the freestanding tower survived.

The castle was rebuilt in the 1650s as it appears today, a convent-type building of four wings around a rectangular courtyard. The tower roof gained a baroque-style spire in 1798, and in the 19th century many of the larger interior spaces were walled off into smaller chambers for the prison. Restored in the 1990s to its 19th-century appearance, the castle is now a museum, and visitors can climb the tower to the fifth floor for a panoramic view of the city.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1650.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Ventspils Castle, including 6 interiors: rectangular interior courtyard, tower ground floor and stair, tower 5th-floor lookout and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Forecourt facing the towerMain arched entrance to courtyardRectangular interior courtyardTower ground floor and stairTower 5th-floor lookoutChapel interiorFormer prison corridor (3rd floor)Tower exhibition room

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Questions about Ventspils Castle

What is the history of Ventspils Castle?

Ventspils Castle began as a Livonian Order fortress in the 13th century. It served as a fortress, residence, garrison, school, military base and prison over 700 years. The Polish-Swedish War destroyed the castle, leaving only the freestanding tower, and it was rebuilt in the 1650s as a convent-type residence. Restoration in 1995–1997 returned it to its 19th-century appearance.

What is inside Ventspils Castle?

Inside Ventspils Castle are a rectangular courtyard, the tower stair and lookout, a chapel, former prison spaces and exhibition rooms. The historic arrangement also included a chapter hall, dormitory, refectory and the commander’s living room. The permanent museum exhibition opened in the tower in 2001, and the chapel, dormitory, refectory and chapter hall were restored in 2011.

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

Ventspils Castle was built as a fortress by the Livonian Order. Its original tower, defensive walls and courtyard supported garrisons and storehouses, while later rooms accommodated religious and residential functions. Its uses changed over time to include a residence, garrison, school, military base, prison and, after restoration, a museum and venue for concerts and art exhibitions.

Where is Ventspils Castle?

Ventspils Castle is in Ventspils, in the Courland region. It stands in the city of Ventspils, on the left bank of the Venta River before it reaches the Baltic Sea. The castle is therefore within the urban area rather than in an isolated rural setting.

When was Ventspils Castle built?

Ventspils Castle was built in the 13th century, with the first tower raised in 1201. The English account dates the castle’s construction to the second half of the 13th century, while later development formed the regular castle with its courtyard. It was rebuilt in the 1650s after destruction during the Polish-Swedish War.

Was Ventspils Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Ventspils Castle was destroyed during the Polish-Swedish War, when only its freestanding tower survived. The castle was rebuilt in the 1650s. A more specific account records that Swedish troops destroyed it in 1659 during the Second Northern War, after which it was soon restored.

What did Ventspils Castle look like in its prime?

At its rebuilt 17th-century appearance, Ventspils Castle is a compact convent-type complex of pale yellow plastered masonry. Four wings enclose a rectangular courtyard, while a freestanding square tower rises above them. Red clay tiles cover the roofs; the tower has a steep pyramidal roof and later lookout, and the façades have small rectangular and arched windows with simple white trim.

Is Ventspils Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Ventspils Castle is still standing and has been restored. Its original layout has survived since the 13th century, including the freestanding tower and four wings around the courtyard. Restoration in 1997 returned the castle to its 19th-century appearance, while the tower and first floor remain much as they were and the third floor has been altered most.

Who built Ventspils Castle?

Ventspils Castle was commissioned by the Livonian Order. No individual architect is identified in the supplied material. The castle developed in stages, beginning with a tower and later becoming a regular four-winged castle around an interior courtyard.

Can you visit Ventspils Castle?

Ventspils Castle can be visited as a museum and cultural venue. A permanent Ventspils museum exhibition opened in the tower in 2001, and the castle hosts concerts and art exhibitions. Visitors can also climb the tower to the fifth floor for a panoramic view of the city.

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