Lais

58 ° 48′43 ″ N. 26 ° 32'39 ″ E.

Scientists date the foundation of the castle to the XIV century, although it was first mentioned in 1406. The castle belonged to the Livonian Order. In 1423, the master of the order Ziegfried Lander von Sponheim ordered the rebuilding of the castle (the modern ruins partly date back to this time). During the war for Livonia, the castle repeatedly found itself in the epicenter of conflict. Russian troops took the castle in 1559. Now the troops of Master Gotthard Kettler besieged Lais, but could not take it. Until 1582 Lais was part of the "Russian Livonia", then went to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 1600-1602 it was besieged by Sweden and passed from hand to hand, until it was finally taken by Sweden in 1622. During this last siege, Lais was destroyed and no longer rebuilt as a castle. Wooden houses were built inside the castle, which were used as a camp for the army. Here in 1700-1701. King Charles XII of Sweden after the victory over Peter I in the battle of Narva in his winter quarters. Today the ruins of the castle are located in the villag. Laiusevälja of Jõgevamaa maakolda.

Tags: castles and fortresses, Battles, 14 century, 15 century, 16 century, Teutonic Order (Livonia)