Dundaga Castle, Medieval castle in Dundaga, Latvia.
Dundaga Castle is a medieval fortified structure in the small town of Dundaga in northern Latvia, listed as a national architectural monument. It features thick stone walls, an inner courtyard, and an original stone well that has survived from the time of its construction.
The castle was built in the 13th century by the Riga Cathedral Chapter, which used it as its main stronghold in the Kurzeme region. Over the following centuries, it passed through the hands of several noble families, each leaving traces in the way the structure looks today.
Inside the castle, an exhibition tells the story of Arvīds Blūmentāls, a Latvian crocodile hunter whose life was turned into a Hollywood film. Visitors can see objects and stories tied to his adventures, which made him one of Latvia's most unexpected figures.
The castle sits at the center of Dundaga and is easy to find on foot from anywhere in the village. Visiting in the warmer months gives access to more parts of the site, including the courtyard.
Two stone bas-reliefs above the main entrance, made in 1909 by artist A. Voltz, show a warrior monk and a bishop looking down at visitors. Most people walk past without noticing them, even though they were added long after the original construction.
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