Ventspils Castle

Ventspils Castle
Courland, Ventspils, Latvia
Site information
TypeCastle
ConditionPreserved
Location
Coordinates57°23′44″N 21°33′25″E / 57.395682°N 21.557064°E / 57.395682; 21.557064
Site history
Built1290
Built byLivonian Order

Ventspils Castle (German: Windau) is located in Ventspils, in the Courland region of Latvia. It is one of the oldest and most well-preserved Livonian Order castles remaining, in that it has retained its original layout since the 13th century. Through its 700-year history, it has been used as a fortress, residence, garrison, school, military base, and prison. In 1995, the castle was restored to its 19th-century appearance, and was converted into a museum.