The Site

Lielstraupe Castle Complex is an outstanding historical and cultural monument on account to its scenic features. It is one of the rare medieval castles still standing in Latvia, surviving through various wars and regime changes over 800 years. It is the only castle in Latvia which includes a church, and despite undergoing significant interventions following a catastrophic fire in 1905 as well as having served as a hospital for more than half a century, the castle still retains most of its original substance and appearance from three hundred years ago.

Lielstraupe Castle Complex is located in the Vidzeme Region of Latvia, in the small village of Straupe. Straupe is often described as "a small village with a great history”, because Straupe, formerly named Roop, which has today only a few hundred inhabitants, had been over centuries a city with municipal law and had been till 17th century a member of the Hanseatic League.

The castle is located next to an active road of international importance, what contributes to its inclusion in touristic concepts and makes it one of the most well-known medieval monuments in Latvia.

Lielstraupe Castle was built for and used – with some small interruptions – by the von Rosen Family for almost eight centuries and has played since an important role in the local community. An integral part of the castle’s complex is the church, built by crusader knights around the same time as the fortified castle. The castle, together with the church, form an ensemble, which is included – as well as the territory of the ancient city Straupe – on the list of architectural monuments of national importance.

After 1939, Lielstraupe Castle became the property of the Latvian state and was used for various purposes such as a military hospital and later the administration building of the machine and tractor station. Later, the castle was used for almost fifty-five years to house a psychoneurological and later narcological hospital. These operations ceased in at the of 2018. After a several years lasting process, the castle was transferred towards Cēsis Municipality who became in 2023 the owner of Lielstraupe Castle as well as of several buildings in the direct neighbourhood which had been historically part of the economic entity of Lielstraupe Castle.  

The castle remains currently only partially usable. After decades of disrepair and continuous use there are several damaged walls, ceilings, and floors, about fifteen rooms are forbidden by the State Construction Inspectorate for visiting. The roof covering is in some places in a state of disrepair with severe leakage and damages to the roof structure. The structure of the building, the thick walls and cracked window frames impair heating efficiency. 

Thus, one of the current priorities is to continue urgent rescue interventions at the castle’s foundation, roof structures, roofing, and ceilings. The other priority is to develop a long-term concept for conservation and revitalisation of the castle and the territory of the ancient city of Straupe.

The local community has strong enthusiasm for the conservation and revitalisation of Lielstraupe Castle and understands it as a pillar to the community. The active involvement of the local community corresponds with the results of a recent survey where 84 % of the inhabitants wished to develop the castle complex as “a meeting place for people interested in history, art, music, especially medieval, in a study and surviving of tangible and intangible cultural heritage”.

It is said by locals with full confidence: “Lielstraupe Castle is our identity, our roots, our sorrows, and a symbol of our hopes and dreams.”

As part of the Hanseatic Route, one of the certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, Lielstraupe Castle is increasingly recognised as a heritage site of transnational significance, linking it to broader European historical and cultural narratives. Its inclusion in this network highlights its role as a site of historical exchange, architectural innovation, and cultural continuity, reinforcing its importance beyond Latvia’s borders.

 

The Training Course

Lielstraupe Castle continues to be the focus of long-term conservation engagement of European Heritage Volunteers. This multi-year plan began with a comprehensive architectural documentation and inventory within the framework of a European Heritage Training Course in 2023, followed by an overall concept for future conservation interventions facilitated by conservation architects from the European Heritage Volunteers Network. During a European Heritage Training Course in 2024, at the ceiling of the main hall, the most representative space within the complex, detailed research, documentation and urgent conservation interventions have been carried out.

The 2025 European Heritage Training Course will build upon the thorough work already undertaken and continue to the second phase of conservation work on the main hall ceiling.  Following the progress made in the previous year, where approximately one third of the ceiling was studied and conserved, the upcoming training course will focus on other areas of the ceiling. The primary aim will be the examination and conservation of the original painted layers concealed beneath multiple limewash coatings. The participants will conduct thorough research on the historic polychromy, uncover the stratigraphic history of the space, and consolidate the delicate historical layers. The technical processes will involve cleaning, consolidation, and stabilisation of the remaining sections, employing methods such as Japanese paper application for securing loose fragments and CaLoSil application for deep-layer consolidation, ensuring the long-term stability of the painted surface.

The works will be guided by an experienced conservator-restorer from the European Heritage Volunteers Network, in close exchange with heritage experts from Latvia.   

The educational programme will not only provide the participants with in-depth practical training in historical surface conservation techniques but will also introduce them to heritage documentation methodologies that were the foundation for the current intervention. The scientific study of materials, the impact of environmental conditions on historic interiors, and best practices for structural and aesthetic conservation will form key learning components.

In addition to hands-on conservation, participants will engage in a thematic presentation session, where they will explore heritage conservation strategies, with a particular focus on conservation and restoration of historic interiors through the presentation of examples from their countries of origin.

As in previous years, the training course will coincide with the annual Lielstraupe Castle Festival, an event that has become now a tradition linked to the European Heritage Training Course which fosters engagement between the international group of emerging heritage professionals and the local community.

The training course exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach to heritage preservation, integrating architectural research, conservation science, and local community engagement. Continuing the work initiated in previous years, the training course strengthens the continuity and sustainability of conservation efforts at Lielstraupe Castle, laying the groundwork for further conservation initiatives that will help secure its future as a regional cultural centre.

 

The training course will take place from August 17th to August 30th, 2025, and is organised by European Heritage Volunteers, in collaboration with the Friends of Lielstraupe Castle Association and Cēsis Municipality.