On 12 September, from 10:00 to 19:00, everyone is invited to visit the viewing tower at the Rauna Castle Ruins free of charge, learn about the history of the castle and discover more about how it is being preserved for future generations.
From 11 to 13 September, European Heritage Days will take place across Latvia. This year’s theme is “Crises and Solutions”, and the programme also includes Rauna Medieval Castle.

This year, the European Heritage Days theme “Crises and Solutions” invites attention to the various threats that cultural heritage sites have faced throughout their history, as well as to the solutions that help preserve them. The history of Rauna Castle is one such example: over the centuries, it has endured wars, destruction and change, while today the key challenge is the preservation and maintenance of the castle ruins.

Rauna Castle is one of the most significant testimonies to medieval history in Smiltene Municipality. In Vīstači’s book “Rauna citkārt un tagad”, published around 1900, it was described as one of the strongest castles in Vidzeme, while today the Rauna Castle Ruins are among the largest and best-preserved in Latvia.
At the same time, the castle ruins are not only a historical monument but also a vibrant cultural venue where local residents and visitors to Rauna gather for concerts, celebrations and other cultural events. In everyday life, it is also a popular place for walks and recreation.

The castle was built in the second half of the 14th century and was once one of the main winter residences of the Archbishop of Riga. Over the centuries, it witnessed wars, changes of power and destruction. The greatest damage to the stone castle was caused by the conflict between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Kingdom of Sweden in the 17th century. Afterwards, the Swedish authorities did not restore the castle, and it gradually lost its significance as a fortress. In 1683, an order was issued to dismantle its fortifications.
Although the main parts of the castle were still in relatively good condition at the end of the 17th century, about a century later the castle had already fallen into ruins.

The threats the castle has faced and the efforts to preserve it will also be the focus of attention on 12 September. A specially produced informational film will be shown in the viewing tower, highlighting the threats Rauna Castle has faced during different periods of history and in the present day, as well as the work being done to preserve the castle ruins for future generations.

Climbing the viewing tower offers panoramic views of

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Rauna and the castle ruins from above. Interactive exhibition displays are located on the second and third floors of the tower, while the third floor also features the exhibition “Archaeological Finds from Rauna Castle”. A digital information stand provides more detailed information about the history of the castle, audio stories, and other places of interest in Rauna and Smiltene Municipality.

Normally, admission to the Rauna Castle Ruins viewing tower is subject to a fee for adults. However, on 12 September, as part of European Heritage Days, the viewing tower will be open to everyone free of charge.

Written by: Līga Ozoliņa, Deputy Head of the Business and Tourism Department for Tourism Development