Dobele Castle Ruins, Dobele, Latvia

The Livonian Order's stone castle is the oldest building in Dobele, and a national architectural monument. It was built on the site of an ancient Semigallian timber fortress from 1335 to 1339. A church was built and a park was laid out later.

This land hosted a settlement of Dobele's most ancient inhabitants – the Semigallians as early as 1000 years B.C. Surrounded by the ancient town, there stood a timber fortress, one of the administrative centres of ancient Semigallians. The castle has been mentioned several times in the Livonian Rhymed Chronicle telling about the 13th century battles between the locals and the German crusader knights. Between 1279 and 1289, Dobele castle withstood six enemy attacks. In 1289, the Semigallians burnt down their fortress and left, undefeated, for Rakte in Lithuania.

Until 1562, the castle was headquarters for the chief of the garrison and also the Komtur, commander of the district. During the period of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, several commanders were in charge of the castle, the last one being Christoph Georg von Ofenberg. After 1729, the castle built by the Order was abandoned and gradually fell in ruins. Works for the conservation of the ruins started were launched in 2002.

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User Reviews

Sabinne Sabinne (11 months ago)
A beautiful site. Did not get inside as it was to late. Outer ruins are well preserved and one can walk round.

Juris Maskalans (12 months ago)
Small, but new and attractive museum. We were the only vistors in march weekday. You can get to terrase on top floor and catch good views. Outside is big enough to walk aound and and let your imagination run wild about life in past centuries.

Yasmine A. (2 years ago)
Beautiful to see from the outside. Well maintained runes and surrounded nature. Definitely worth visiting

Gita Memmena (3 years ago)
Great example of story interpretation and interactive design and involvement to get know about Dobele castle. Nice views from top of the castle and also interesting design of expositions. Guided tour recommended!

M CF (3 years ago)
Pitty is closed on Monday and was our day there, would have loved to enter the castle. Outdoors is nice area

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

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The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.

Dobele Castle Ruins

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