| Coordinates: | 56°57'03,5'' N 24°06'04,0'' E Google Maps |
| No: | 10 (full list of landmarks) |
| Category: | Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses |
| Address: | Riga, Old Riga, Pils square 3 |
| Year of construction: | End of 1340ies - II Order castle, 1515 (?) - III Order castle |
| Architectural style: | Late Gothic - Mannerism (vaults, bareliefs of portal), early Barocco (tower - bay), Art Deco (interiors of several rooms) |
| Condition: | Rather bad |
| Values: | Architecture, archaeology |
| Conservation status: | As a monument of archaeology forms a part of Old Riga archaeological complex (No.2070), architecture monument of state importance No.6594 (with remnants of bulwarks). |
Riga Order castle - view from the west
2008.11.12.
One of the dominants of Old Riga is also one of the largest medieval castles in Latvia - Riga Order castle built in the end of 1340ies and once more around year 1515.
This is not the only Order castle in Riga and by far not the only medieval castle in Riga - but it's history is the longest and most interesting one because this building has served as a centre of power for larger or smaller area. Nowadays it is also a residence of Latvian President. Castle has been rebuilt numerous times thus loosing numerous values of art and architecture and getting other ones instead. Special value of the castle is also values of art from 1920ies - 1930ies.
Chronology
- 30th March 1330 - allocated place for Livonian Order to build a castle
- End of 1340ies - built the II castle of Order
- 18th May 1484 - Rigans capture the castle and it is torn down until the middle of August
- 1515(?) - completed the III castle of Order
- 1783 - started construction of the facade of Pils Square which is seen today
- 1843 - third and fourth floor constructed
- 1920ies - 1930ies - castle adjusted and rebuilt as a residence of State President
More information...