Gulbenes viduslaiku pils, Medieval castle ruins in Gulbene, Latvia
Gulbenes Medieval Castle was a fortified stronghold on the banks of the Krustalice River, featuring thick stone walls and defensive structures. The surviving remains demonstrate the construction methods of Baltic fortifications from that era.
The fortress was built in 1340 under Archbishop Friedrich von Pernstein and served as a stronghold for the Archbishopric of Riga. It remained under ecclesiastical control until 1577, when the region came under different rule.
The castle ruins lie beneath the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Gulbene, built between 1838 and 1843. The site today reflects how medieval structures were later incorporated into new religious buildings that shaped the town's identity.
The castle site is located near the church on Brivibas Street in central Gulbene. Visitors can reach it easily on foot and examine the surviving foundations along with archaeological traces of the fortress.
Russian forces besieged the stronghold for four weeks in February 1481 during the Livonian-Muscovite War. This prolonged assault caused significant damage that contributed to the fortress's eventual decline.
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