Vasknarva Castle, Medieval fortress in Alutaguse Rural Municipality, Estonia.
Vasknarva Castle is a fortress at the point where the Narva River flows from Lake Peipus, featuring preserved stone walls and defensive structures. The ruins display the typical architecture of a medieval border stronghold designed to control river passage and traffic.
The fortress was founded in 1349 by the Livonian Order and rebuilt between 1427 and 1442 after being destroyed by forces from Pskov. This reconstruction reflected the ongoing struggle between regional powers to control this strategic river crossing.
The site shows how medieval fortifications shaped border regions and controlled passage routes. For visitors, the castle remains a place where the meeting of different worlds becomes tangible.
The site sits at a river crossing and offers important context for understanding Europe's eastern edge. Nearby stands a Russian Orthodox church that can be explored alongside the castle ruins.
The castle ruins mark the eastern boundary of the European Union and offer views across to Russian territory. This border location makes it a distinctive place to understand the division between two continents.
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