Waldau Castle Ruins, Nizov'e, Russia

The earliest official mention of building a fortress in Waldau comes from a chronicle dating to 1258. The name of the castle derives from the Baltic Prussian language, where it meant 'to own'. And in fact, the surrounding lands belonged to two Prussian landowners: Brulant and Diabel, who were called 'tenants' or 'dukes'. In 1264, the dukes were obliged by the Teutonic Knights to set up an inn, in which Teutonic knights, clergymen and soldiers would stay. There, travelling merchants would spend time discussing the ups and downs of commerce over a pint of barley beer or a bottle of cider.

When the lands of Nadrovia and Sudovia had been occupied by the tribe of Yotvingians, the border between the Monastic State of the Teutonic Order and Lithuania moved eastwards. As a result, the fortress of Waldau ceased to serve a defensive role. In 1457 the old building was converted into a residential castle, which from then on served as a summer residence of the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order. When the Order was secularized in 1525, the castle turned into a seat for the administrative authorities in the district of Waldau. In 1858 an agricultural school was established in the castle. Afterwards the castle was completely redesigned and changed into a popular school for teachers.

The history of Waldau Castle contains one event which, on the initiative of local people, was commemorated in 1997 by placing a plaque on the walls of the castle. On 17th (27th) May 1697, the castle hosted Russian emissaries, headed by Admiral Franc Jakovlewitz Lefort (1656 - 1699). The Tsar's chronicler wrote on that day: 'Tsar Peter I arrived on this day to enquire about the well being of the emissaries and to finally confirm the meeting ceremony with Kurfürst (The Prince Elector of the German Reich). In the evening, Tsar Peter I left for Königsburg and the Russian emissaries set off from Waldau early morning the next day.'

Today the castle in Nizovye, despite its old age, makes a great impression on the visitors. Parts of the former castle outbuildings have remained until today and the castle itself still houses an agricultural school.

References:

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Юля Моисеева (2 years ago)
Замок Вальдау. Первое орденское деревянно-земляное укрепление в Вальдау было построено в 1258-1264 годах. Расширение территории, подконтрольной Тевтонскому ордену, привело к тому, что замок Вальдау потерял свое оборонительное значение. В 1457 году старые укрепления были перестроены, после чего замок стал использоваться в качестве летней резиденции великих магистров Тевтонского ордена. После секуляризации Ордена в 1525 году замок Вальдау стал герцогским доменом. 17-18 мая 1697 года в замке Вальдау останавливалась основная часть Великого русского посольства во главе с адмиралом Францем Яковлевичем Лефортом (1656-1699), 17 мая в замке побывал царь Петр I. С 1720 года королевским правительством Пруссии замок Вальдау сдавался в аренду. В 1858 году в замке разместилась сельскохозяйственная школа. В 1860-х годах здание было основательно перестроено, окончательно разобраны башни и крепостные стены.

Павел и Мария Онищук (2 years ago)
Замок восстанавливает семья. Им помогают волантеры. На территории замка проводятся мастер классы. Есть кафе где можно отведать фирменный рецепт приготовления спаржи. Довольно вкусно и недорого. Из минусов - все в разрухе. Восстанавливать там много еще надо.

Vyacheslav S. (2 years ago)
Очень странное понимание у людей, которые его восстанавливают, о сохранении. Поставили на 1м этаже пластиковые окна. На втором сделали обычный кабинет с белыми окнами. По сути смотреть пока нечего. И это не замок, а просто 3х этажное здание поместья.

Натали Агафонова (2 years ago)
Стоит посмотреть, хотя сам замок с точки зрения архитектурной составляющей не сильно примечателен, за исключением окружающего ландшафта. Именно ландшафт ярко иллюстрирует сооружения, которые в былые времена возводили для защиты.

Galina Kozachek (2 years ago)
Есть 2 музея в Вальдау. И оба хороши. Государственный музей очень интересен, прекрасный экскурсовод, основатель музея занимался резьбой по дереву и создал много красивых работ, в которых видна красота и особенности каждого дерева. Второй музей только начинает свой путь, молодая семья поднимает его, дети также участвуют в проекте, накормили нас вкуснейшим завтраком, так как еще занимаются экоагрофермой.

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Derbent is the southernmost city in Russia, occupying the narrow gateway between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains connecting the Eurasian steppes to the north and the Iranian Plateau to the south. Derbent claims to be the oldest city in Russia with historical documentation dating to the 8th century BCE. Due to its strategic location, over the course of history, the city changed ownership many times, particularly among the Persian, Arab, Mongol, Timurid, Shirvan and Iranian kingdoms.

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In 2003, UNESCO included the old part of Derbent with traditional buildings in the World Heritage List.

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