Karte

Many different tales and stories are told about the Dundaga medieval castle that was built on a peninsula on river Pāce and is the biggest castle of the 3rd quarter of the 13th century in North Kurzeme. The closed courtyard, the gate tower and the walls that are 2-3 meters thick remind about the days of the remote past.

The founder of the castle is Riga Dome Chapter; from year 1711 till agrarian reform in 1920 the castle belonged to the family of Osten-Sackens. During its long existence the castle was rebuilt several times, two times it was on fire, it experienced wars, but always was renovated and extended. Due to the rebuilding the fortress gradually turned into a landlord luxury residence where the layers of later times and styles could be seen. It got its present appearance before the World War I (1909-1914).

On the facade of gate tower there are the coats of arms of the former landlords that tell the history of the castle. On the left side of the entrance there is a sandstone bas-relief of a chevalier and a bishop on the right side (the beginning of the 20th century, one of the most interesting sculptural works in Latvia). There can be seen also the window fittings, a wooden Baroque style gallery, a mansard roof and other details. The beginnings of the park probably can be found in 18th century, during the time of Osten-Sackens.

Many tales are told about the Dundaga castle: about the dwarf wedding, about the little shepherd and about the little birch tree that grew on a wall stone. The most popular story is about the Green Maiden, who is believed to walk across the castle at full moon nights.

The current owner of the Dundaga castle - the local government of Dundaga pagasts (parish) - is creating a centre of culture and tourism in the castle. It serves also the needs of an art school, a music school, a tourism information centre, several institutions of local government, the Dundaga subbranch of Latvijas Krājbanka and the Dundaga Catholic congregation.

Dundaga castle`s hotel. Number of places: 40. Number of rooms: 7. Additional places available.

• County: Dundaga
• Address: Pils 14, Dundaga
• Contact person: -

• Web page: http://www.ziemelkurzeme.lv
• Phone number: +371 63237860, 29478393
• E-mail: