Photos Taken Near Valmiera

Sigulda Medieval castle built in 1207 by Order of the Brethren of the Sword. After the Order was defeated in 1236, the Livonian Order took over the site that carried out major reconstruction modifying it to a convent type building. When the fire-shooting weapons developed, medieval fortresses gradually lost their initial importance. The castle was ruined during the Great Northern War in the early 18th century and was not renovated since then. All that is left today is the south-western part of the convent building, with Gothic window apertures and the tower of the main gate.