Cobrons skans
Cobrons skans is a fortification in Riga made up of surviving stone walls, bastions, and defensive ditches. The site displays a star-shaped layout with ramparts and structures built from brick and stone.
The fortification was built in 1706 by Swedish forces under officer Samuel Cockburn during conflicts between Sweden and Russia. Over the 1700s it was rebuilt several times with new defensive elements, but later lost its military purpose.
The site is named after Scottish officer Samuel Cockburn, who commanded the fortification in the early 1700s. Visitors can still see the old walls and ditches that show how the city protected itself in those times.
The site is easy to walk through and explore on foot; the old fortification lines are still visible in the landscape. Visit during dry weather for the best experience, as the ditches and ramparts are close to ground level.
The fortification is named after a Scottish officer, showing its unique link to European military history. This unusual command of a Swedish fortress by a non-Swede reflects how Baltic armies in the 1700s included officers from across Europe.
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