Rūjiena Fortress, Medieval hill castle in Rūjiena, Latvia.
Rūjiena Fortress is a medieval stone castle on the right bank of the Rūja River, featuring surviving walls that follow its original oval-shaped layout. The ruins reveal the typical design of a border defense structure from the Livonian Order period.
The fortress was built as a border post between the Teutonic Order and the Archbishopric of Riga, with its first documented record appearing in 1499. It was destroyed during the Great Northern War in 1704.
The fortress embodies regional medieval military architecture and demonstrates how the Livonian Order designed its fortifications in northern Latvia.
The ruins are located near Imantas dzirnavām, but lack visitor signage, so local guidance is helpful to find them. Walking around the area and asking locals for directions is the best way to access and explore the site.
After its destruction in 1704, local people salvaged many of the fortress stones to build a dam. This repurposing connects the medieval structure to the later development of the settlement.
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