Location: Bauska, Zemgale Map
Tel. 6392 3793
Official site
Open: May- Oct: 9am- 7pm daily
Bauska Castle (Latvian: Bauskas pils; German: Schloss Bauske) is a historic complex located on a narrow peninsula at the confluence of the Mūša and Mēmele rivers, where they form the Lielupe River, on the outskirts of the city of Bauska in southern Latvia. The site consists of two main parts: the ruins of a 15th-century fortress built by the Livonian Order and a later 16th-century Renaissance palace constructed as a ducal residence. Originally a strategic military stronghold, it evolved into a symbol of regional power and later fell into ruin before undergoing extensive restoration. The castle exemplifies 15th-17th century military architecture in Latvia, blending Gothic elements in the older section with Renaissance and Mannerism styles in the newer part.
Pre-History and Early Settlement
The peninsula
where Bauska Castle stands has a long history of human activity
predating the medieval structure. Archaeological evidence indicates a
fortified settlement of the Balts during the Early Metal Age (around
1500 BCE), located on the bank of the Mēmele River. Excavations have
uncovered subterranean structures with fireplaces, bone decorative pins,
and potsherds from scratched pottery. Later layers from the late Iron
Age (10th-12th centuries) include non-wheel-thrown potsherds, suggesting
continuous habitation. The site was originally a Semigallian hill fort,
which provided a natural defensive position due to the steep riverbanks
and dolostone cliffs. This strategic location would later make it ideal
for the Livonian Order's fortifications.
Construction by the
Livonian Order (1443–1450s)
The castle's construction began in the
mid-15th century under the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Knights,
specifically during the tenure of Master Heidenreich Vinke von
Overbergen (1438–1450). The earliest documented reference to the
building work dates to 1443, with the castle first mentioned in Livonian
Order records in 1451. The primary purposes were to consolidate the
Order's control over Semigallia (Zemgale), protect the border against
the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and oversee the vital trade route from
Lithuania to Riga. Labor involved local inhabitants and prisoners of war
from Finno-Ugric tribes in Russia, who were later settled nearby in
communities known as "krievini" (Russian villages).
Architecturally,
the fortress was innovative for its time, designed specifically for the
use of firearms—the most modern in Latvia during the Livonian era. It
featured an irregular rectangular layout (approximately 56 meters long
and 31 meters wide on average), with thick outer walls (up to 3.5
meters) made of dolomite stones, boulders, and bricks bound with lime
mortar. The structure was protected by the rivers on three sides, with
eastern defenses including a dry moat, a "wolf hole" (a gate protection
pit), and five towers: two semicircular on the eastern wall (one large
with a 15.75-meter diameter and 22-meter height), a smaller eastern
tower, and quadrangular towers on the western and southern walls. These
towers had loopholes for flanking fire, basements (including a prison),
internal stairs, and battle passages. The inner yard was encircled by
defensive walls, with a well and dolostone pavement. Facades were
plastered, and interiors featured Gothic vaults and compacted plaster.
The castle served as the center of a vogtei (administrative district),
where the Vogt handled judicial, military, and financial duties. Early
residents included knights like Heinrich Bekenferde von Schungel and
priest brothers.
The Livonian Period (1450s–1559)
From 1451 to
1559, the castle was administered by vogts of the Livonian Order. It
functioned as a military outpost and administrative hub. A notable event
was the imprisonment of Burcard Waldis, a Martin Luther advocate, in the
castle prison from 1536–1538, where he translated Latin psalms into
German. During the Livonian War (1558–1583), the castle's strategic
importance grew. On August 31, 1559, Master Gotthard Kettler signed a
defense treaty in Vilnius with Polish Chancellor Nicholas Radziwiłł,
leading to Polish-Lithuanian aid against Russia. Sovereignty over the
castle and town was transferred to Poland in December 1559.
Transition to the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (1561–Late 16th
Century)
With the collapse of the Livonian Order in 1561–1562, the
castle briefly passed to Archbishop Wilhelm von Brandenburg in exchange
for Koknese Castle. It was then granted to Gotthard Kettler, the first
Duke of the newly formed Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a vassal
state of Poland-Lithuania established by the Pacta subiectionis treaty
on November 28, 1561 (ratified March 1562). Kettler received the castle
by the end of 1562 and used it as a residence from 1564–1567. The duchy
held landtags (parliaments) there in 1568, 1590, and 1601, addressing
political and economic matters. Duke Friedrich visited frequently
between 1590 and 1603.
Construction of the Ducal Palace
(1570–1596)
Under Duke Gotthard Kettler, the forecastle was rebuilt
into a bastioned Renaissance residence from 1570–1580, with full
completion by 1596. Construction started in 1584, and the duke moved in
by 1587. The nearby medieval village was demolished to improve defenses.
The palace, built on the eastern forepart, preserved medieval towers and
featured three aisles with two floors encircling a 19 x 54.4-meter
courtyard. It included bastions, ramparts, sgraffito facades in
Mannerism style, a stone balcony with columns, a main entrance portal,
and dolomite paving. Interiors had deep windows, cast beams, glazed
ceramic tile floors, 14 fireplaces, 17 tile stoves (from Gothic to early
Baroque), and geometric leaded glazing with stained-glass coats of arms.
The layout followed Renaissance principles, with enfilade halls, private
apartments, and servant exits. The southern medieval facade featured
dragon-glazed brick ornamentation, and the northwestern tower may have
housed a chapel. This transformation made it the only partially
preserved Renaissance ducal residence in Latvia.
The castle master
(Hauptmann) managed maintenance, weapons, justice, and duke's
properties, overseeing 16 crown manors. Artifacts like portraits of the
Kettler family and a 1576 item excavated from Gotthard's era highlight
the ducal court life.
The Ducal Residence Period (Late
16th–Mid-17th Century)
Under Dukes Gotthard, Friedrich, Wilhelm, and
Jacob, the castle served as a key residence and administrative center.
Friedrich added a new wing in 1590 and two round towers in 1599. In
1621, Duke Friedrich's court relocated there from Jelgava due to Swedish
threats, staying until year's end. The garrison typically included
100–150 musketeers and dragoons. In 1635, Friedrich approved town rules
requiring locals to guard the castle. Under Jacob, repairs in 1647 fixed
windows, doors, stoves, and fortifications. By the late 17th century,
inventories listed armaments like 48 muskets, 136 pikes, and cannons.
Modernization efforts cost 12,000 ducats, but by 1698, the structure was
in poor condition with rotten roofs. The garrison in 1699 numbered 70
under Commandant Wilhelm Christoph Ringdemut.
Wars and Conflicts
(17th–Early 18th Century)
The castle endured multiple sieges during
the Polish-Swedish Wars. In 1625, Swedish King Gustav II Adolphus
captured it on September 17, looting treasures from local nobility; an
early chart dates from this time. The garrison, led by Magnus Butler,
surrendered after a betrayal by townsman Gotthard Hunt.
Polish-Lithuanian forces recaptured it in 1627–1628, returning it to the
duke in 1630. It ceased being a primary ducal residence by 1629, instead
housing a manor lord.
During the Second Northern War (1655–1660),
Duke Jacob maintained neutrality but allowed potential Swedish
garrisons. Swedes occupied it in October 1658 under Lt.-Gen. Frits Leve,
leading to clashes until 1660. The Treaty of Oliva returned it to the
duchy for 10,000 ducats, with inventories noting cannons and muskets.
The Great Northern War (1700–1721) proved fatal. Duke Ferdinand
organized defenses in 1700. Swedish King Charles XII captured it without
resistance in June 1701, modernizing fortifications (1701–1704) under
Lt. Marten Krammeker, including new ramparts and ravelins. The garrison
fluctuated from 619 in 1702 to a battalion in 1705. Russians captured it
on September 14, 1705, after artillery bombardment, seizing armaments.
Retreating in April 1706, they partially blew it up on Tsar Peter I's
orders. Swedes briefly reoccupied it as a supply depot, but it was
abandoned post-war.
Decline, Abandonment, and Ruins (18th–19th
Century)
After 1706, the castle was uninhabitable and no longer used
as a fortification or residence. The manor relocated across the Mūša
River in the mid-17th century. In the 18th century, it became romantic
ruins, with locals salvaging materials for construction. Descriptions
and drawings by figures like Johann Christoph Brotze (1792, 1806) and
others documented its decay. In 1874, Prince Paul von Lieven purchased
the ruins, initiating landscaping, park development, and partial
unearthing of rooms, with findings donated to the Courland Province
Museum.
Restoration and Modern Era (20th Century–Present)
Restoration began in earnest in the 19th century but accelerated in the
20th. During Latvian independence (1930s), walls were partially
reinforced, and a viewing platform was added to the main medieval tower.
In the late 1960s (Soviet era), plans emerged to create a museum in the
newer part. Unearthing started in 1968–1972 but was halted for proper
archaeological oversight. Reconstruction of the ducal palace began in
1973 and continues. Extensive archaeological excavations (1976–1992 by
A. Caune and J. Grube; later in 1996–1999) yielded over 3,410 artifacts,
including 10,000+ stove shards, 9,000 potsherds, 300+ coins (Livonian,
Swedish, Dutch), military items (cannons, bullets), tools, and household
objects.
The Bauska Castle Museum was established in 1990 from the
local history museum, overseeing renovations. A 2000 conservation
project by Czech architects (Vaclav Girsa, Miloslav Hanzl, Milos
Gavenda) stabilized ruins, with Round I (2001–2002) funded by EU Culture
2000. ERAF projects (2007–2014) restored elements like sgraffito, wings,
towers, 9 stoves (from 15,000 shards), 439 tiles, floors, ceilings,
vaults, and stained-glass windows. The central tower was reconstructed
and opened in 2021. Ongoing work since 2015 focuses on conservation.
Today, the medieval ruins are minimally conserved, while the palace is
fully restored and houses exhibitions on history, fortifications,
costumes (1562–1620), interiors (duke's rooms, halls, kitchen, stable),
and events like Renaissance dance programs by the group "Galms" since
2013. The site offers a café, panoramic views from the keep tower, and
augmented reality features (via "BAUSKA AR" app from 2025) depicting
Duke Gotthard Kettler. It remains a key cultural and tourist attraction,
reflecting Latvia's turbulent history from medieval orders to ducal
splendor and modern preservation.
Historical Context and Construction Phases
Construction of the older section began around 1443 under the Livonian
branch of the Teutonic Knights, who established it as a hill fort
replacement and a center for a vogtei (administrative district).
Completed by the mid-15th century (circa 1456), this part was
specifically designed as a fortress for firearms and artillery, marking
it as the only such purpose-built structure by the Livonian Order in
Latvia. It served both defensive and residential purposes, housing a
garrison and functioning as an administrative hub.
The newer section
was added in the late 16th century during the Duchy of Courland and
Semigallia. Under Duke Friedrich Kettler, expansions occurred in 1590
and 1599, transforming it into a modern residence with enhanced
fortifications. This phase incorporated bastions, defense walls, and
earthen ramparts, reflecting the shift toward Mannerism-era
architecture. The castle was severely damaged in 1706 during the Great
Northern War when its fortifications were blown up by retreating forces,
leading to its abandonment and gradual ruin. Restoration efforts started
in the 19th century under Prince Paul von Lieven in 1874, focusing on
conservation rather than full reconstruction to preserve the romantic
ruin aesthetic. Today, it operates as a museum, with the ruins
stabilized to halt decay while maintaining historical authenticity.
Architectural Features of the Older Section (Livonian Order Castle)
The medieval portion, measuring about 56 meters long and 31 meters wide
on average, represents Gothic-style military architecture adapted for
early gunpowder warfare. Built primarily from local dolostone and
boulders, with bricks used for corners, window openings, and vaults, it
features robust walls varying in thickness: the outer wall along the
Mēmele River is 1.55 meters thick, while the southern wall reaches 3.5
meters for added protection.
Key elements include:
Great Watch
Tower: Positioned in the eastern part, this central tower served dual
defensive and residential roles. Its first floor features a doliform
(barrel-shaped) vault, three embrasures (narrow openings) for cannons,
and a southwest-corner fireplace for heating. A prison was located
beneath the tower, emphasizing its fortified nature.
Gate and
Drawbridge: The entrance was protected by a small gate tower and a
drawbridge over a defensive pit, with the towers flanking the gate for
surveillance and defense.
Overall Layout: The structure was a
compact, irregular quadrangle with thick walls enclosing an inner
courtyard. It included a garrison quarters and was designed to withstand
sieges, with minimal decorative elements prioritizing functionality.
This section's ruins today reveal exposed masonry, aging patina, and
structural remnants that convey its historical battles and decay,
preserved through minimal intervention to retain emotional and
storytelling value.
Architectural Features of the Newer Section
(Ducal Palace)
Added in the 1590s, this residence exemplifies
Renaissance and Mannerist influences, making it the only architectural
monument in Latvia illustrating Mannerism-style trends in the Duchy of
Courland. It was constructed as a fortified palace, blending luxury with
defense, and includes:
Round Towers and Bastions: Two massive
round towers were incorporated for artillery defense, integrated into a
system of bastions and earthen ramparts that fortified the structure
against invasions.
Residence Wings: A new wing added in 1590 expanded
living quarters, with further additions in 1599 creating spacious
interiors suitable for ducal life. The design featured vaulted ceilings,
ornate window frames, and decorative elements like stucco work, though
much has been lost to time.
Defensive Enhancements: Surrounding walls
and ramparts provided layered protection, with the palace elevated on
the site for better visibility and command over the rivers.
Mannerist
Details: The facade and interiors showcased Mannerist elegance,
including intricate stone carvings and proportional symmetries that
departed from pure Gothic austerity, reflecting Italianate influences
popular in the Baltic region during the period.
This part has
been partially reconstructed, allowing visitors to explore restored
rooms that highlight the transition from medieval fortress to early
modern palace.
Materials and Construction Techniques
The
castle's construction utilized locally sourced materials for durability
and economy:
Stonework: Predominantly dolostone and field
boulders for walls and foundations, providing strength against
artillery.
The castle's construction utilized locally sourced
materials for durability and economy:
Stonework: Predominantly
dolostone and field boulders for walls and foundations, providing
strength against artillery.
Brick Accents: Employed for precision
elements like arches, vaults, and embrasures, allowing for more refined
Gothic and Renaissance details.
Fortification Systems: Earthen
ramparts and bastions in the newer section absorbed cannon fire, a
forward-thinking adaptation in Baltic military architecture.
Conservation efforts since the 19th century have focused on stabilizing
masonry without altering the ruins' patina, ensuring the site's
integrity as a national monument.
Significance and Current State
Bauska Castle stands as the only partially preserved residence of the
Kettler ducal line and a prime example of Latvia's architectural
evolution from Teutonic fortifications to ducal estates. As a museum, it
offers exhibits on medieval life, artillery, and Renaissance decor, with
the ruins evoking a romantic historical atmosphere. Its design
influenced later Baltic castles, and ongoing preservation highlights its
role in cultural heritage.