Ventspils Castle, Medieval castle in Ventspils, Latvia
Ventspils Castle is a rectangular stone fortress with four wings arranged around a central courtyard, dominated by a large southeastern tower. The structure rises prominently within the city and contains multiple levels filled with historical exhibitions and displays.
The Livonian Order built this fortress in 1290 as a military stronghold near the Baltic coast. For nearly three centuries it served as a strategic defensive structure before its role changed dramatically in later periods.
The castle chapel reflects the changing religions of the region, having served different faiths across several centuries. Visitors can observe how these spaces document the spiritual traditions that shaped the city over time.
The fortress contains exhibitions spread across multiple floors that cover different periods and topics. The southeastern tower provides panoramic views from its upper levels and rewards visitors who climb to the top with perspective over the entire area.
The fortress functioned as a prison from 1832 until 1959, a chapter often overlooked by visitors focused on its medieval origins. Modern renovations after its prison years deliberately preserved the original stone walls and layout, allowing both histories to coexist visibly.
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