Aizkraukle Castle
Encyclopedia
Aizkraukle Castle - ruins of a medieval castle, located on the right bank of the river Daugava in Latvia
west from the modern town of Aizkraukle
, in Aizkraukle region. The castle
has been built in second half of 14th century by Livonian Order
. From 1334-1480 it was the seat of a Komtur
.
In 1559, Aizkraukle
was seized by the Poles
. In 1577 it was captured by the Russians
. The castle was still standing in 1633, but was in ruins by 1680.. Today there are seen remnants of fundament of the castle and up to 5 metres high fragments of one wall. Picturesque ruins serve as a popular local tourist destination.
Should not be confused with the Old Aizkraukle Castle (Alt-Ascheraden) - another medieval castle from 13th century few kilometres downstream.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
west from the modern town of Aizkraukle
Aizkraukle
Aizkraukle is a town in Vidzeme region in Latvia, the administrative centre of Aizkraukle municipality on the right bank of the Daugava River.-History:Aizkraukle before the World War I was formerly known by its German name of Ascheraden...
, in Aizkraukle region. The castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
has been built in second half of 14th century by Livonian Order
Livonian Order
The Livonian Order was an autonomous Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order and a member of the Livonian Confederation from 1435–1561. After being defeated by Samogitians in the 1236 Battle of Schaulen , the remnants of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were incorporated into the Teutonic Knights...
. From 1334-1480 it was the seat of a Komtur
Komtur
Komtur was a rank within military orders, especially the Teutonic Knights. In the State of the Teutonic Order, the Komtur was the commander of a basic administrative division called Kommende . A Komtur was responsible for the alimentation of the Knights by the yield from the local estates, he...
.
In 1559, Aizkraukle
Aizkraukle
Aizkraukle is a town in Vidzeme region in Latvia, the administrative centre of Aizkraukle municipality on the right bank of the Daugava River.-History:Aizkraukle before the World War I was formerly known by its German name of Ascheraden...
was seized by the Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
. In 1577 it was captured by the Russians
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
. The castle was still standing in 1633, but was in ruins by 1680.. Today there are seen remnants of fundament of the castle and up to 5 metres high fragments of one wall. Picturesque ruins serve as a popular local tourist destination.
Should not be confused with the Old Aizkraukle Castle (Alt-Ascheraden) - another medieval castle from 13th century few kilometres downstream.