EXCITING WALK THROUGH LIELSTRAUPE CASTLE

Event place: Facebook live event. CLICK HERE

Date and time: 17.01.2021, At 12 AM (EET time zone)

Language: English

Lielstraupe Castle is one of the rare medieval castles in Latvia, which has lasted until today. Lielstraupe Castle is the only castle in Latvia, which includes a church in the construction volume. The castle was managed by the same family for hundreds of years. Since second half of the 13th century it belonged to the von Rosen family, who, with interruptions, managed the property until 1939.

During the wars of 17th century the castle was ravaged and burnt often, and for some time only ruins remained. When the castle no longer had a military purpose, it was rebuilt to be a manor. Last time it was restored was after it had been burned down in 1905. The old details were reconstructed, staying true to history and maintaining the mood that’s unique to this particular building. The restoration of the castle was carried out under the supervision of Baltic-German architect Wilhelm Bockslaff (1858—1945) from 1906 to 1909. The restoration work completed in the castle became the first scientific restoration examples in Latvian manor architecture.

In Soviet times, from 1949 till 1959, the castle was home to Lielstraupe tractor station administration. During this time some of the premises were made into classrooms and dorms for the tractor drivers, and the former manor stables were made into workshops. Since 1963, the castle is managed by medical institutions and about Lielstraupe Psycho-neurological Hospital used to say that here “even the walls treats”. 

Now the castle is open to visitors are offers a journey through the centuries along with orienteering in the labyrinths of the castle. The castle has 27 stairs and more than 300 steps. The interior is decorated with oak stairs, various glazed tiled stoves from the beginning of the last century, as well as slightly mysterious hospital scenes.