The double stair
In the palace court.
Scotch Mist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Scotch Mist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Scotch Mist — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Karlis Ustups — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Scotch Mist — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bauska Castle combines the ruins of an old fortress with a later palace, on a narrow peninsula where the Mūša and Mēmele rivers form the Lielupe, near the town of Bauska. The pairing of broken war walls and a restored palace court shows how this land changed from the age of the knights to the age of the dukes. The site was a Semigallian hill fort before the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Knights raised stone buildings here between 1438 and 1450, with 1443 traditionally given as the year. The old section had a great watch tower, walls 3.5 m thick and a prison below the tower. The palace was added in the 16th century, and partial restoration began in 2008. On the old side you see massive blocks of stone and red brick above a grassy mound. The restored white palace has a cobbled court, a double stair to an arched terrace and grey patterns cut into the walls. Inside are rooms with thick walls, a dark tile stove and displays on life under the dukes, while the river passes below the ramparts. It is 61 km in a straight line from Riga and 39 km from Jelgava Palace, and it is close to Rundāle Palace, so many people combine the two in a day. Restoration continues and some parts may close, so ask at the entrance. Do not climb the ruins, and take care with children near the edges. Pick a dry day, as the court and mound are exposed.
In the palace court.
On the grassy mound.
Cut into the walls.
Where the Mūša and Mēmele meet, Bauska
Yes, they are close, and many do both in a day.
Not entirely, so some parts may close.