Lielstraupe castle

Lielstraupe Castle was built in 1263 – this date is indicated above the vault of gates that lead to the courtyard of the fortification. It is known that the fortress was significantly rebuilt, but its original appearance has not yet been established.

The fortress was built in the Romanesque style, under the same roof with it was a church. It is believed that at first the castle looked like a donjon tower, later the western and eastern buildings were completed. The castle has already reached us in the G-shaped form.

In the XIV century Lielstraupe Fort became the property of the vassal of the archbishop of Riga, and then was transferred to the von Rosen family. Since 1523, a convent was established in the castle, which organized the Jesuit order, which took the fortification into its property.

The chronicles indicate that in 1681-1684 the church and the castle were burned down, after which they were not restored for a long time. After another fire in 1905, Lielstraupe Castle was restored and partially modernized.

Nowadays, Lielstraupe Fort is a narcological hospital, so only the church is accessible to visitors.