Things to do in Estonia, Estonia: The Best Castles

Sillapea Castle was built in the classical style in 1842, later it has been reconstructed. The castle is nationally protected due its remarkable architectural ensemble. Today it accommodates the Rapina Local Lore and Gardening Museum; the castle is surrounded by a manor park with a beautiful garden spreading over 8.7 hectares. The park consists of three parts: an aesthetic garden with high vegetation comprising of terraces lowering towards the lake, a front garden bordered by paths and characterised by distinguishable ensembles of trees and bushes, and a forest park with a pavilion at the Vohandu River.

The Kuressaare episcopal castle, also known as the Kuressaare Castle, was built in the 14th century. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum which is devoted to the island’s nature and history. A large part of the fun is exploring the warren of chambers, halls, passages and stairways, apt to fuel anyone’s fantasies. One room near the bishop’s chamber looks down to a dungeon where, according to legend, condemned prisoners were dispatched to be devoured by hungry lions (recorded growls reinforce the mental image). Legend also tells of a knight’s body found when a sealed room was opened in the 18th century, which has given rise to varying accounts of how he met his tragic fate. Upon discovery the knight’s body dissolved into dust but don’t worry, it’s since been re-created. There’s also interesting coverage of daily life under the USSR, including the interior of a typical apartment. On the top floor, the museum has wonderful views over the bay and surrounding countryside.

Kuressaare Castle-Fortress is built in the 14th century. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum. Saaremaa Museum is one of the oldest (founded in 1865) and biggest museums in Estonia and is visited by 70 000-80 000 people every year. As a county museum its main function is to preserve and strengthen the identity of Saaremaa as a region with extraordinary nature, history and culture. The museum tries to exhibit the essence of the castle and tells its story to the whole world.

Medieval adventure! If you come to visit us you will arrive to the 16th century! We have a thematic park where children and grownups can enjoy the day, wear knight and warrior clothes, play games and study the life of medieval people. One of the main reasons to come and visit Rakvere Castle are the Chambers. Torture Chamber, Chamber of Death and HELL. Worth of visit is also Red Lights street, Medieval Brothel, Barber shop and Alchemic room. Quests are welcoming also different animals and the gloriest of them al is a Donkey called Mickens!

The Episcopal castle in Haapsalu is a park for the ruins of a former stronghold. It is an architectural pearl dating from the 13th century that used to be the residence of local authorities until the end of the 17th century. This is the place where Estonia's most famous ghost - the eternal lover the White Lady - lives. At present the main building of the castle hosts a museum that gives an overview of the history of the stronghold and Oesel-Wiek Bishopric, the weaponry used in the medieval and early modern period and the ashlar found in the castle. The most important sights of the museum include the cathedral of the former Oesel-Wiek Bishopric located in the south wing of the castle, which was first mentioned in written records in 1279, and the watchtower now used as a belfry. While in the main fortress, one can enjoy a nice view overlooking Haapsalu and the surrounding sea. Historic fortresses have, over the course of time, been turned into parks. This is a unique symbiosis of architecture and nature that provides the joy of discovery for both adults and as children. Small visitors to the fortress can enjoy the playground inspired by the Middle Ages in the vicinity of the main fortress.

The Narva Castle is one of the main attractions of the city. In the seventh decade of the 13th century, the Danes established a castle as a residence for the Danish King’s vice-Regent. The Narva Castle is one of the most diverse and best preserved defense structure in Estonia. The area of the castle is 3.2 hectares, and the highest point is the Tall Hermann Tower (51 meters), which offers views over Narva, the Kreenholm factory and Ivangorod Fortress across the river in Russia. Today you can visit the museum in the castle, were the displays explain the history of Narva and the castle.

The Episcopal castle dating back to the 14th century was established by the Bishop of Tartu and Grandmaster of Livonia and thanks to many renovations and extensions it developed into a strong border fortress. The landlords of the castle came from many different countries. The castle met its end during the Great Northern War when it was demolished by Russian troops (1702). In the Middle Ages, Vastseliina Castle was well known in the Catholic world as a popular destination for pilgrims. They worshipped the holy cross in the castle chapel and a visit to the chapel gave them sanctification for 40 days - it was first validated by Pope Innocentius VI in 1354. Nowadays you can visit medieval theme centre located next to the castle, where you can taste, feel and see the life of medieval people.

Laitse manor house resembles a knight’s castle which bears elements of almost all the mediaeval architectural tastes. The mansion built by Woldemar von Uexkull in 1892 is one of the best works of local Neo-Gothic style.  During the years of the Republic of Estonia the castle was reconstructed from inside and by today nothing of the initial plan has preserved. Today the castle is in private ownership and you can visit it and refresh yourself in the ground floor pub.Interesting to know: in the Soviet times the house used to be an auxiliary building of Laitse radio station and there were apartments, the “Red Corner”, a canteen and a village sauna in the house.

The stone castle started to appear on the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size in the beginning of the 16th century and was one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls.Already in the beginning of the last century the ruins of the fortress and the park around it turned into a recreational area for the residents of Viljandi. In order to access the castle hills from town a rope bridge was build from the Kaeuvumagi hill over the 13 meters deep trench in 1931. From the ruins you have the most beautiful view over the lake of Viljandi.