Lielstraupe Castle, Straupe, Latvia

Lielstraupe Castle was built at the end of the 13th century by Fabian von Rosen, vassal of the Riga Archbishop. The village of Straupe began to develop around the castle in the 14th century. A large tower was added around 1600. Severely damaged by fire in 1905, the castle was restored between 1906 and 1909 by architect Vilhelms Bokslafs. Since 1963 it has housed a drug addiction rehabilitation hospital.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Lady N (3 years ago)
Medieval manor with historical spirit. Near the church was located the cemetry of Rosen family. The huge stone plates saves the history about 19s century burials.

Arnis Lusins (3 years ago)
Vienīgā tik autentiski saglabājusies pils Baltijā, Hanzas pilsētu savienības dalībniece. Straupe - mazākā Hanzas pilsēta - visā tagad atjaunotajā Hanzas pilsētu savienībā. No Zviedrijas kāda arheoloģijas profesore bija atbraukusi un teica, ka tik unikālu pili ar tādu vēsturi un neapbūvētu apkārtni citur Eiropā neatrast.

Ieva Mikosa (3 years ago)
Valsts SIA "Straupes narkoloģiskā slimnīca" izvietota Lielstraupes pils ēkā. 13.gs. celta bīskapa vasaļa pils, plānojumā neregulāra ar dzīvojamo korpusu pie rietumu sienas, kuru pārvalda Rozenu dzimta līdz 1625.g. 17.gs.1.pusē pilij bieži mainījās īpašnieki. Blakus pilij pakāpeniski izveidojās pilsēta, kas minēta jau 1325. g. 16.gs.b.-17.gs. pilij uzcelts lielais tornis.

Iggy (3 years ago)
There is a hospital inside. Only self guided tour around the castle us available. Takes 10 - 15 min.

Ervīna Video Blogs (4 years ago)
Wonderful castle. Only one in Latvia that has a church within the castle, very unique.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

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Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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