About the Castle of the Livonian Order
The Castle of the Livonian Order is the oldest surviving building in Ventspils. It was built in the second half of the 13th century and was first mentioned in written sources in 1290.
The castle was built as a convent-style structure with an inner courtyard. It is considered to be the oldest medieval fortress in Latvia, having retained its original form almost unchanged. The castle chapel, meanwhile, is the oldest surviving church building in Kurzeme.
Over the centuries, the castle has been used by the Brothers of the Livonian Order, various churches, administrative bodies and military units. From 1832 to 1959, the castle also housed a prison.
Today, the castle is home to the Ventspils Museum. Visitors can explore the castle’s historic rooms, displays, exhibitions and digital historical stories. A visit to the castle is suitable for both school groups and families with children.
🏰 Museum exhibitions
The castle’s exhibitions provide an insight into the history of the town of Ventspils, its port, the castle and the municipality – from ancient times to the present day.
The exhibitions offer an opportunity to learn about:
- the prehistory of the Ventspils region;
- the material culture of the Curonians, Livonians and Latvians;
- life in the castle of the Livonian Order;
- medieval crafts and trade;
- the development of the town and port of Ventspils;
- the era of the Duchies of Courland and Semigallia;
- the manors of the Ventspils district and the lifestyle of the landowners;
- the use of the castle during various historical periods.
During research and restoration work, unique fragments of 15th–17th-century wall paintings and archaeological evidence of the castle’s inhabitants were discovered.
The castle tower houses the exhibition ‘The Sea, the Port, the City: Ventspils in the 13th–19th Centuries’, whilst the ground floor of the castle houses the museum’s education centre, offering interactive activities for children and young people.
🎓 Educational programmes
The Livonian Order Castle offers educational programmes for schoolchildren of various ages. Several programmes have been approved as part of the ‘Latvian School Bag’ cultural education programme .
Target audience: primary and secondary schools
Latvian School Bag: yes
During the session, pupils learn about one of the most significant inventions of the 19th century – photography. Participants discover what a camera obscura is, how old-fashioned photo studios worked, and how photography developed.
Using props, lighting and backdrops featuring old postcards of Ventspils (or Windau), pupils can step into the role of a photographer and capture their own lasting moment.
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag: yes
The session is designed for groups visiting the Ventspils Museum’s educational programmes for the first time.
Participants learn what a museum is, why it is needed, what a museum exhibit is, and what sort of specialists work at the museum. Whilst exploring the castle exhibition, participants can also learn the story of the Black Piglet, the mascot of the Livonian Order’s castle.
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag programme: yes
This programme is a continuation of the ‘My Museum – My Castle I’ sessions. In it, participants gain an in-depth understanding of the roles and professions of museum staff – the work of historians, conservators, collection curators and archaeologists.
During the session, participants can take a look behind the scenes at the museum, explore the collection and staff areas, and examine the exhibition from the perspective of museum specialists.
Target audience: primary and secondary schools
Latvian School Bag programme: yes
This session provides an insight into the history of clothing and costumes, exploring the link between cultural heritage and contemporary fashion.
Particular attention is paid to the history of traditional dress in the Ventspils region and the museum’s research, including the distinctive belts known as ‘sleņģenes’.
Target audience: pre-school and primary school
Latvian School Bag programme: yes
Mysterious footprints have been preserved in the floor tiles of the Livonian Order’s castle, becoming a testament to cultural heritage and a message from times long past.
During the session, children examine various footprints and try to work out who might have left them in the castle around 700 years ago. The programme combines themes from history and the natural sciences.
Target audience: all age groups
Latvian School Bag programme: yes
Pupils learn about the origins, sounds and history of the musical instruments in the Ventspils Museum’s collection.
During the session, pupils can discover what a polyphone, a positive organ, a pianola and a hurdy-gurdy are, as well as learn about the connection between these instruments and the history of the castle and the town of Ventspils.
Target audience: all age groups
Together with a museum educator, participants explore the art exhibitions on display at the castle and learn interesting facts about the artists.
In the practical part of thesession, pupils create interpretations or copies of the artworks on display.
💶 PRICES
- programme at the museum – 20 EUR per group + museum admission tickets;
- off-site programme – 30 EUR per group;
- maximum number of participants in person – 25;
- maximum number of participants online – 30.
Admission tickets from 1 May to 31 October:
- adults – 5 EUR;
- school pupils, students and pensioners – 2 EUR;
- family ticket – 10 EUR;
- exhibition hall for adults – 2 EUR;
- exhibition hall for schoolchildren, students and pensioners – 1 EUR.
Admission tickets from 1 November to 30 April:
- adults – 3 EUR;
- school pupils, students and pensioners – 2 EUR;
- family ticket – 6 EUR;
- exhibition hall for adults – 2 EUR;
- exhibition hall for school pupils, students and pensioners – 1 EUR.
Free of charge:
- for pre-school children;
- every 16th visitor in a group;
- persons with a Group I disability and one accompanying person;
- people with a Group II disability.
👨👩👧👦 For families
The Livonian Order Castle is also ideal for a family day out. Children will be fascinated by the ancient castle setting, the historic rooms, the digital experiences and the story of the castle’s mascot, the Black Piglet.
A separate admission ticket is available for families – 10 EUR during the summer season and 6 EUR during the winter season. Admission is free for pre-school children.
📞 Booking activities
To choose an educational programme and arrange a suitable visit time, please contact Ilva Buntika-Krūmiņa, the museum educator at the Livonian Order Castle, in advance.
Telephone: +371 29590093
Email: mailtoilva.buntika@ventspils.lv
Photo: Oskars Jūra, Līga Sondare and Ilva Buntika.