Bauska Castle is situated on a picturesque spit of land where the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers converge into the Lielupe.
The Bauska Castle ensemble consists of two sections. Livonian Order Castle, built in the middle of the 15th century, is the oldest one - with only ruins remaining. A more recent part of the ensemble, built in the late 16th century, is the residence of the Kettlers, the Dukes of Courland.
Explore Bauska Castle
- See the castle’s interior, and the historical exhibits: “Clothes and Jewelry in the Duchy of Courland, 1562—1620” and “Bauska Castle: A Military Fortress”.
- Inspect the medieval fortress’ defense systems and see the collection of the castle’s cannons in the ruins of Livonian Order Castle.
- Watch the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele and the vast landscape of Zemgale from the Great Tower of the Old Castle.
- Go on themed excursions and take part in the programs: “Fashion Sense in the Duchy of Courland”, “A Dance Lesson at the Court” and “Social Customs of the Court”.
After the castle, take a specially-designated pedestrian path through Pilskalns Park, across a meadow and over a canal bridge to Ķirbaksala, the beginning of the River Lielupe.
History and architecture
The castle building is the only architectural example in Latvia illustrating the manifestations of mannerism-ere architecture and design in the Duchy of Courland.
The oldest part of Bauska Castle is the Livonian Order Fortress, built specially for the use of firearms. It is a characteristic example of Latvia’s 15th-17th century military construction. The residence-type castle, fortified with bastions, fortification walls and earthen ramparts, is a more recent structure.
The reconstruction of the more recently built part of the castle began in the 1970s with the aim to turn it into a tourism object as a part of historical, archeological and architectural heritage of national importance, and to create themed exhibitions about Bauska Castle in the context of the history of Livonia and the Duchy of Courland.
Entrance fee: 9 EUR for adults and 4.50 EUR for students and pensioners, 50% discount for large (3+) families.
