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The beginning of Rakvere Castle´s history is lost in the darkness of time. The stone castle itself originates from the Middle Ages when it was built during the time in which the kings of Denmark and the masters of the Teutonic Order were ruling the territoy.
First written records about the stronghold called Tarvanpea come from the year 1226. In the middle of the 13th century the Danes started to replace the wooden stronghold with a more modern stone fortress. After Virumaa and Harjumaa passed into the possession of the Livonian Order in 1347, a grand-scale reconstruction of the castle was carried out in several stages. In the first half of the 16th century a convent-type castle with a rectangular main tower was completed, it had strong flanks, a large front yard and an eastern gate consisting of several parts: the outer gate included a pitfall and a drawbridge and the inner gate had a lowered lattice. Living quarters and outbuildings were located in the front yard, near the circular wall.
The castle was ruined during the wars of the 16th and the 17th centuries when Russia, Sweden and Poland-Lithuania were at war over the nearby land.
The castle has been owned by Denmark, the German crusaders, Russia, Sweden and Poland. Today, the castle hosts a year-round theme park where guests can see exhibitions.
Estonia, 100 km from Tallinn
Phone: +372 322 55502 GSM: +372 5076183 Fax: +372 322 5505 Address: Rakvere Vallimägi Postal address: Tallinna 3a, Rakvere 44316, Estonia
by bus, train
Open daily in summertime for visitors 11-19. Guided tours and children adventures in Russian, Finnish, English and German (prior reservation required). Historical exhibition. Different programs, concerts. Torture chamber and hell. Tavern, wine cellar. Handicraft workshops: pottery, smithy and carpenter shop are opened. Writing with a quill and ink. Guests can get an official certificate to prove their stay at the castle. Tavern opened during winter season by advance booking.
