Viļaka Castle, Medieval castle ruins on an island in Lake Viļaka, Latvia.
Viļaka Castle consists of stone wall remnants of a fortress on an island in Lake Viļaka, reached by a pontoon bridge. The walls remain several meters tall and show the original layout of the medieval structure.
The Archbishopric of Riga established this fortress in 1293 as a wooden structure before it was rebuilt in stone during the early 1500s. The site was destroyed during a regional conflict and never rebuilt.
The ruins serve as a gathering place where people learn about the medieval past of the Latgale region. Visitors come to experience the local heritage and understand how this fortress shaped the area's story.
The island is reached by a pontoon bridge that leads to a circular walking path around the ruins. The route includes wooden footbridges and information boards to guide your exploration.
The pontoon bridge to the island ranks among the longest in Latvia and offers views of the lake as you cross. This floating structure is itself a remarkable engineering feat that keeps the historical site accessible.
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