Dobele Castle: A Historic Fortress in Latvia

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.dobelesmuzejs.lv

Country: Latvia

Civilization: Crusader, Early Modern

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Dobele Castle is located in the municipality of Dobele in modern-day Latvia. It originated as a wooden fortification constructed by the Semgallian tribe, a Baltic people inhabiting the region before the arrival of the Livonian Order.

The earliest known record of Dobele Castle dates to 1254, when it served as the administrative center for the surrounding Zemgale region. During the turbulent period of the Livonian Crusades, the wooden fortress withstood six separate sieges by the Livonian Order between 1279 and 1289. However, faced with overwhelming pressure, the Semgallians ultimately chose to burn their own stronghold and retreat towards the Grand Duchy of Lithuania for safety.

Between 1335 and 1347, the Livonian Order replaced the wooden fortification with a new stone castle built on the same site. This more permanent structure became the residence of the Dobele komturs, or commanders, from 1376 until 1562. During this time, the castle functioned as both a military bastion and a center of regional administration.

The castle’s final Livonian commander, Tiss von der Recke, came into conflict with Duke Gotthard Kettler of Courland, who seized Dobele Castle in 1566, forcing von der Recke to surrender control. Through the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Dobele Castle hosted several landtags—regional assemblies held in 1579, 1613, and 1628. The strategic fortress repeatedly changed hands during conflicts involving Swedish forces led by King Gustav II Adolf, who occupied Dobele in 1620–1621 and again in 1625. It was also held by the Swedes in 1658 during the captivity of Duke Jacob Kettler.

From 1643 to 1649, Duchess Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania, widow of Duke Friedrich, resided at Dobele Castle along with her foster son, the future Duke Jacob Kettler. Following the 1660 Treaty of Oliva, Duke Jacob regained ownership of the castle, commissioning the construction of a long auxiliary building along the eastern wall, though the main defenses were not fully restored at this time.

The Great Northern War brought further turmoil when Swedish troops occupied Dobele Castle in 1701, and King Charles XII stayed there briefly for six days. Severe destruction affected the castle and the surrounding town during this conflict. Dobele Castle remained inhabited until 1736, when the roof collapsed, causing its abandonment thereafter.

Beyond its military and administrative past, the ruins of Dobele Castle held a role in cultural heritage. In 1870, the site was used for one of the earliest Latvian Song and Dance Festivals, and in 1915 German Emperor Wilhelm II inspected troops nearby. Modern conservation efforts began in the early 21st century, aiming to preserve and restore key elements of the castle grounds.

Remains

Dobele Castle stands as a trapezoidal stone fortress oriented roughly north to south, with walls ranging from about 16 to 180 meters in length and rising between three and four meters in height. Encircled by a deep moat, the castle is situated atop a 15-meter-high hill along the right bank of the Berze River. Natural steep slopes protect two sides of the fortress, enhancing its defensive position.

The northern section of the castle housed the convent building, a key component of the complex, while just south of it rested the main building, notable for a roof adorned with four small corner towers. Along the eastern side, the main entrance gate and tower are found, as well as a smaller exit level with the main building. Extending nearly the full length of this eastern wall, additional outbuildings were added during the castle’s later phases, including a long auxiliary structure built in the mid-17th century.

Within the southern wall of the castle, a small chapel was constructed, which was subsequently expanded over time into a church. This sacred space formed an important part of the castle grounds, accompanied by various utility buildings in the same southern sector. The castle’s eastern wall also connects to the so-called Magdalene Garden, an area accessed through a small passageway outside the main fortifications.

Architecturally, Dobele Castle is classified as a house castle with close affinities to tower castles, distinguished by decorative features such as four brick oriel towers—small projecting turrets—and arcaded friezes characteristic of its construction period in the 14th century.

Archaeological excavations, particularly under the chapel’s entrance cellar, uncovered a remarkably well-preserved cultural layer containing numerous artifacts linked to the Semgallian inhabitants. These include personal adornments like rings, brooches, pendants, spiraled ornaments, chains, bracelets, beads, buckles, and pins. Weapons such as spearheads and crossbow bolts were also found alongside practical items like awls, needles, keys, sandstone whetstone fragments, fishing hooks, lead weights, and even hazelnut shells, offering insight into the daily life and craft of the early population.

Local tradition speaks of two subterranean passages originating from the castle: one tunnels beneath the Berze River to its left bank, and the other extends toward the nearby Lielberze area. While these underground routes are part of regional lore, they are referenced in historical commentary associated with the castle.

Today, the ruins of Dobele Castle remain partially restored. Significant conservation efforts since the early 2000s have stabilized its structure, with particular focus on the chapel, which underwent restoration and was reopened to visitors in 2021. Reconstruction work initiated in 2018 aims to preserve the heritage of the site while sustaining its architectural features for future generations.