The Livonian Order castle with fortified forepart, mighty defensive walls, ramparts and ditches was the first Livonian Order fortification on the right bank of the Gauja river. The castle was built in the 13th century, probably on the site of an ancient Latgalian castle. The Order selected a strategically suitable location in order to be sure that the castle was protected from invaders from the Gaujas steep bank and the deep ravine of the Rātsupīte river.
It is the place where some domestic and foreign politics and important decisions were adopted, since the castle hosted Landtags – meetings of representative of the Livonian Order states.
During the Northern War in 1702, the city was invaded by the troops of Tsar Peter I, who set fire to the city and destroyed the castle. City residents were allowed to use the the masonry stones as building materials for construction of their buildings, so even today houses at Rīgas Street contain the old boulders of the Livonian Order Castle.
www.entergauja.com
Valmiera Castle (Latvian: Valmieras pils, German: Schloß Wolmar) was a castle in Valmiera, Latvia. Today its ruins lie in the city centre.
The medieval castle was built on the site of an old Latgalian fortification during the 13th century by the Livonian Order as an Ordensburg. It protected the right bank of the river Gauja. The castle had a certain political importance since it hosted Landtags (i.e. assemblies of representatives) of the Livonian Confederation. The fortress was burnt down by Russian troops during the Great Northern War and was subsequently used as a quarry for local residents to collect building materials.
The former castle grounds today contain a museum and a shop and is used as an open-air venue for concerts and celebrations.
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