Rauna Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Rauna, Latvia
Rauna Castle consists of stone walls and foundation structures that stand on a high slope in Rauna within the Cesis region and remain visible today. The site includes a reconstructed tower from which you can look out over the landscape, and next to it lie park areas with various recreational facilities.
The castle was founded in 1262 and served as an important seat for the archbishops of Riga until the 16th century. Over the course of its history, it came under attack multiple times and was eventually abandoned.
The ruins show how fortified structures were built in this region and what construction techniques the western conquerors brought with them. The site tells of the blending of local and foreign building methods that you can still recognize in the stones today.
You can reach the ruins on a hilltop, and access is possible in most seasons. The reconstructed tower offers a good view of the surroundings, and in the park areas you can rest or take a walk.
The site was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times by different powers during its long existence. This turbulent history has left traces in stones of different ages that you can see while exploring.
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