Limbažu pils (drupas), palace

Limbazi Castle was built in the beginning of the 13th century for the Riga archbishop. The castle had the regularry shape with the yard and targe forepart. The patrons' sculpture was set a niche above the entrance gate. The podest and the niche as well as the mortised pockets for the gate lattice. The Castle and small town at it was hardly damaged and burned down in 1624. The castle was reconstructed after. The town developed at the castle in the 14th century. Limbazi Town became the member of Hanseatic League in 1360. In 1621 Swedish King gave the castle and town to the Riga City and the town was managed by Riga till the 18th century. At this period the new castle outbuilding was walled up. After the Swedish-Polish War the castle was used only as a warehouse. The roof was lost at the time of the 2nd World War and the castle was left open under rain and sun till the beginning of the reconstruction works in the 90s of the 20th century. Now the dense walls with gothic arches, niches and gateways are covered with new roof. The new Classicism style Riga Town Council Palace - the Limbazi Manor-house was built at the beginning of the 19th century near the old castle ruins. Now the palace houses the Local History and Art Museum of Limbazi and exhibition halls. There have preserved many details of original decorative interior finish.