Kuldiga Castle, Medieval fortress ruins in Kuldiga, Latvia.
Kuldiga Castle is a medieval fortress ruin on the southern bank of the Ventspils River, with preserved foundations of a four-wing structure measuring about 50 meters per side. The site reveals the underground medieval foundations and a remaining section of the castle basement.
The Teutonic Order built this fortress between 1242 and 1245 after receiving permission from William of Modena to establish a stronghold in Courland. It later became the residence of the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia, serving as a regional center of power.
The castle was the seat of power for the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia, who ruled the region from this location and shaped its development over centuries. Today, visitors walking through the grounds can sense where important decisions were made that affected the entire region.
The site functions as a public park where visitors can explore the underground medieval foundations. The preserved basement section and accessible ruins give a clear sense of the original building's layout and scale.
During the 15th century, this fortress maintained a garrison of about twelve permanent members when many other commandries struggled to fill their ranks. This unusually stable force shows how important the site remained for regional operations.
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