Wolmar

57° 32′ 17″ N, 25° 25′ 23″ E

Wolmar Castle. The foundation of this castle is associated with the name of the Prince of Pskov Vladimir who was banned from Pskov in 1211 and appointed by Bishop of Riga Albert von Buxthoeven in charge of this area. The Order started the erection of a castle here in 1224. At the beginning of the Livonian War Russian troops attacked the castle in 1560 and 1562, yet without success. Wolmar Castle is famous for the events of 1564 when Prince Andrey Kurbsky arrived here after his defection from Russia and wrote his famous first message to Ivan the Terrible. The castle is situated in modern Valmiera (Latvia).

Tags: castles and fortresses, 16 century