Grobina Castle Ruins

Grobiņa, Latvia

The Livonian Order erected Grobiņa Castle in 1253 to protect the roads from Livonia to Prussia. It was a square type building and was a three storey high living block in the southern aisle. It also had a gate tower in the middle of the western wall. The castle was built of bricks and crude stone. Once it had arched ceilings. It was a residence for the local viceroy of the Livonian Order from 1399 to 1590. As support base in south Courland it was many times rebuilt and fortified.

In the times of the Duchy of Courland, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt many times. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century sand walls were erected around the castle. They had a bastion in each of the four corners and a stockade. Later the castle was used as a residence for local German landlords. The castle was destroyed in the eighteenth century. Many famous people have visited the castle, for example: Duke Jacob Kettler of Courland, The King of Sweden, Carl XII and the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm III.

In the 1970s major conservation jobs were made in the castle, so today the castle ruins are in a quite good condition. Most of the walls are still standing in three story height. Today's castle is a major tourist attraction and also a place for local gatherings and concerts.

The ancient Curonian castle hill (Skābāržu kalns) is located only 100 m from the castle. It is supposed to be the famous Seeburg, which is mentioned in Scandinavian sources already in 9th century.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1253
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Latvia
Historical period: State of the Teutonic Order (Latvia)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Eriks Roze (14 months ago)
Well.. a bit disapoinent :/ There is almost nothing originaly left from medieval castle. All walls are almost rebuild, in the middle of castle there is a stage and wachtower- all with modern architecture. So, if you are not looking for a bit authentic staff, just regular tourist staff,this place is for you :)
Laurynas Giriunas (2 years ago)
I thought it will look better
Daniel Lupea (2 years ago)
Amazing place to relax, clean and quiet and only 10 min drive from Liepaja. Can also walk or cycle to this wonderful place from Liepaja.
Milda Kiaušaitė (2 years ago)
A beautiful place with playful stories on the info boards nearby. Lovely in the evening.
Lukas Margelis (3 years ago)
Nice and calm place to visit. Free toilets and some walking paths.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.

Ludwig II, who was crowned king in 1864, began his building activities in 1867-1868 by redesigning his rooms in the Munich Residenz and laying the foundation stone of Neuschwanstein Castle. In 1868 he was already making his first plans for Linderhof. However, neither the palace modelled on Versailles that was to be sited on the floor of the valley nor the large Byzantine palace envisaged by Ludwig II were ever built.

Instead, the new building developed around the forester's house belonging to his father Maximilian II, which was located in the open space in front of the present palace and was used by the king when crown prince on hunting expeditions with his father.