Lielstraupe Castle, Medieval castle in Straupe, Latvia
Lielstraupe Castle is a medieval fortified manor in Straupe, Latvia, made up of two stone wings arranged around a central courtyard with a square tower. It is classified as a national architectural monument and sits within a park that includes a pond and old trees.
The castle was founded by the von Rosen family in 1301 as a fortified stronghold in the region. Over the following centuries it changed hands several times and was rebuilt in parts, with each period leaving its own mark on the structure.
Lielstraupe shows medieval stone walls alongside baroque windows and ornaments added in the 18th century, all visible on the same building. These layers of construction sit next to each other and can be read directly from the facades without any special knowledge.
The park around the castle is easy to walk through and best explored on foot at a slow pace. Wear sturdy shoes, as the grounds include uneven paths and grassy areas.
A medieval cemetery holding victims of a 16th-century plague outbreak lies beneath the castle walls. It was found during construction work and sits directly under the foundations of the building.
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