Krustpils Castle

Krustpils Castle is laid out as a quadrangular complex centered around a large inner courtyard. Three sides of this courtyard are lined with two-story buildings, while the fourth side features a prominent gate tower. The entire courtyard is enclosed by a sturdy stone wall. In the 19th century, this wall was altered to include large gates, adapting the space for agricultural and economic activities.

Among the castle’s medieval components, several key structures remain intact. The massive gate tower, originally designed for defense, stands as a testament to its fortress origins. Beneath parts of the complex are vaulted cellars featuring cross and barrel vaults — architectural terms describing different shapes of arched ceilings that supported the walls and roofs. Additional support came from wall buttresses, projecting structures that reinforced the thick stone walls. While the original defensive moat and outer fortifications have been removed over time, traces of their locations are still detectable around the site.

The main building within the southern wing houses an elongated hall with vaulted ceilings that partly survive within the current structure. Although a large square tower is a dominant feature today, it dates from the 18th century rather than the medieval period. During the 17th century, the castle’s appearance was altered to suit noble residences. Defensive walkways atop the walls were replaced by mansard roofs — roofs with two slopes, the lower steeper than the upper — and towers were crowned with Baroque-style lanterns and slender sheet metal spires.

In the 18th century, renovations integrated medieval walls into a manor house design while maintaining the characteristic enclosed courtyard typical of medieval castles. Small round corner towers with Baroque domes were added at this time, enhancing the decorative aesthetic. The 19th century saw practical transformations, such as converting the castle tower into a water tower and installing modern conveniences like a water supply network, flush toilets, and a telephone line established in 1902.

Inside, fragments of decorative wall paintings are preserved, including coats of arms belonging to the von Korff and von Rosen families. These heraldic symbols reflect the noble families who occupied and managed the castle.

Historically, the castle complex extended beyond the main buildings to include a large economic yard surrounded by up to 46 auxiliary structures. These outbuildings housed stables, servants’ quarters, a riding hall, an orangery (a greenhouse for citrus trees), and a brewery. Today, about 29 of these buildings survive, though often altered from their original form.

Recognized as one of Latvia’s best-preserved medieval stone castles, Krustpils retains much of its imposing mass and original layout despite centuries of rebuilding and adaptation. Its combination of medieval defensive features and later noble residence elements offers a layered architectural narrative visible in its surviving structures.