Castles and manors: where to walk an hour’s drive from Riga

This is by no means the most famous castle in Latvia, but it is certainly one of the most impressive from the architectural point of view: Baroque motifs are combined here with strict German half-timbering. It is located in the picturesque Vidzeme region, not far from the banks of the Brasla River, a tributary of the Gauja River. Around the castle there is a small park with several ponds. 

For a long time the castle was closed to visitors. From 1963 to 2018, its walls housed first a psycho-neurological, and later a narcological hospital. The last large-scale reconstruction was carried out in 1906–1909—after the revolutionary pogroms of 1905. The historic interiors suffered during the Soviet period. Despite this, the spirit of antiquity has been preserved in its appearance: wooden tower clock, massive oak and spiral metal staircases, parquet, doors and window frames, tiled stoves and many other details. There is also an old church on the castle grounds. 

At the moment there is a museum in the castle. You can walk around the three floors, the basement and go up to the observation deck. For up-to-date information about the opening hours of the museum, it is better to check the website.

The ruins of Dobele Castle are the most important place in the history of Latvian culture. It was here that one of the first national music festivals (Kurzemes latviešu dziesmu svētki) took place in 1870. In those years there was a cultural upsurge in the society: the New Latvians movement (jaunlatvieši), whose representatives fought against attempts to assimilate the Latvian population with the German and demanded equality for Latvians with other peoples of the Russian Empire, was on the rise.  

The stone castle was first built in this place in the mid 1300s. Since then it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. Compared to many other Latvian castles, its stone walls have been preserved quite well. You can take a free walk around its territory and admire the views of the town of Dobele. There is a small fee to enter the chapel premises.

The manor house on the bank of the Lielupe River is built in the canons of classicism: majestic but restrained decor, strict symmetry, and harmony of architecture with the surrounding nature—the manor house stands in a well-groomed and cozy park. The main house was built from 1797 to 1802 according to the project of Giacomo Quarenghi (one of the most famous architects of St. Petersburg) and Johann Georg Adam Berlitz. 

Time has not spared the interiors of the estate. The building was significantly damaged during World War II. In the following years it was used as an agricultural testing breeding station, administrative offices and apartments. Restoration began in 1958 and continued until 2001. One of the most preserved and expressive rooms is considered to be the round hall, made in the traditions of Italian classicism.

Unfortunately, the four-star hotel, located in the main building of the manor, is now out of operation. Previously, the hotel offered a choice of several rooms, the interiors of which combine elements of different styles of the 19th and early 20th centuries. But you can walk around the park and explore the manor buildings from the outside.

Since 1997, Agris Liepiņš, an artist from Lielvārde, has been building a wooden castle based on the motifs of Latvian defensive structures of the XII–XIII centuries. It is not a copy of any particular wooden castle, but a composite image born of the author’s imagination, but based on archaeological data. 

The building is named in honor of Uldeven—an elder of Daugava Livs, who lived at the turn of XII–XIII centuries. In the castle you can see imitations of defensive constructions, residential and household buildings, reconstructions of ancient costumes, get acquainted with the ancient Latvian craft—pottery. It is better to arrange a visit to the castle and excursion in advance. 

A couple of kilometers away from this wooden castle are the ruins of a stone castle. This is the place where many centuries ago there was a settlement of ancient Livs with wooden fortifications. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the River Daugava—in this place the banks are high and especially picturesque.

It is probably the most famous and recognizable castle in Latvia. There are many tourists here at any time of the year. But even here you can relax alone with yourself and the magnificent scenery of the Gauja River Valley. Around the castle there are many nature trails with secluded picnic spots and viewpoints that offer views of the castle and the surrounding hills covered with dense forest.

The best panoramas, however, can be admired from the tower of Turaida Castle. A very atmospheric narrow stone staircase leads up to it. The tower, walls and other buildings were actively restored in the second half of the 20th century. Earlier the castle looked much more ruined. During its long history (since the XIII century) it has seen a lot. 

In addition to the observation deck, there is a museum with temporary exhibitions, for example, about how Latvians fought for their independence from 1819 to 1920. There are hotels, restaurants, stores and many other pleasant places nearby.

The massive ruins of Sigulda Castle are located a few kilometers from Turaida Castle. If you come to Sigulda by public transportation and are not ready for long walks over the hills between the two castles, you may well limit yourself to visiting only one. For a small fee you will have the opportunity to walk along the fortress walls, see a small museum exhibition, and climb the towers from which you can see Turaida Castle. 

Opposite the ancient castle stands the so-called Sigulda New Palace, built in 1878–1881 from large stone boulders in neo-Gothic style. In fact, of course, it is not a defensive structure, but the main dwelling house of the estate. In the 19th century it was fashionable to romanticize ancient architecture and create buildings remotely resembling centuries-old castles.

Inside the New Palace there are unique interiors from 1937, made in the spirit of national romanticism—it is one of the main attractions of Sigulda. Nearby there is a ropeway connecting the two banks of the Daugava River. We have already written about its romantic history.

The magnificent architecture of this manor reminds of medieval castles with centuries-old history, although it was built at the very beginning of the 20th century as a hunting palace of a rich Riga merchant.

The local hotel can rightfully be considered one of the most romantic in Latvia. It is located far away from the city noise, in the middle of spacious fields, and around it there is a small park with ponds.

There are plenty of interesting and pleasant things to do here: guided tours of the museum, concerts on weekends and public holidays, and lunch in the summer café. Among other things, you can rent rooms for various celebrations, such as weddings and birthday parties.

Abgunste Manor is called an ordinary Latvian manor with an extraordinary history. It is «ordinary» because it has passed all the same tests of time as many other estates of the country: it was built in the 1780s, during the revolution of 1905 it burned almost to the ground, then underwent numerous reconstructions with the loss of authentic details of the interior and facade, and after Latvia’s secession from the USSR it was gradually restored.

The originality of this place is that artists settled here in the second half of the 2010s. Around 2017, the Avotnieki family acquired the estate and together with a dozen cats they now run it. The family has set up ceramic, textile, and wood workshops here. You might think that only artists are welcome here, but this is not the case—anyone can observe the creative atmosphere. Guests of the manor have a choice of several original apartments and a room for their own events in the former barn.

This is one of the best preserved manor complexes in Latvia, built in Baroque style in the middle of the 18th century. Until 2004 it was in poor condition, but in a few years it was restored and adapted for a hotel and spa complex.

There is a modern outdoor swimming pool attached to the manor house. It offers massage services, bath rituals and other wellness treatments.

A spectacular castle on a high bank at the source of the Lielupe River. Probably the first mention of its construction dates back to 1443. During its history it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. It was severely damaged by Russian troops during the Great Northern War and then dismantled for building materials by local residents.

During the 20th and early 21th centuries it was reconstructed several times. There is a museum in the premises of the castle, temporary exhibitions, lectures, concerts, performances and sporting events are held. It is located within the city limits, which means that you will find comfortable hotels and good restaurants nearby.

Read about other manors and castles that are more distant from Riga in our recent article.