Otepää Castle, Episcopal castle ruins on Fort Hill in Otepää, Estonia
The stone fortress stands on a hill reaching 152 meters above sea level, featuring foundations and structural remnants from medieval construction methods.
Bishop Hermann von Bekeshovede constructed the brick castle in 1224 after crusaders captured the strategic hillfort from local Ugandi tribes.
The site represents one of Estonia's first brick buildings, marking the transition from wooden structures to stone fortifications in medieval Estonian architecture.
The castle ruins remain open throughout the year, allowing visitors to examine the archaeological excavations and medieval foundational structures without entrance fees.
Archaeological investigations at the castle uncovered evidence of the earliest surviving firearm in Europe, dating from approximately 1396.
Location: Otepää Rural Municipality
GPS coordinates: 58.05750,26.50400
Latest update: March 27, 2025 09:02
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