Visiting the Medieval Castle in Bauska: My Experience

Continuing my little road trip through Latvia, I found myself in Bauska and decided to visit not only the automotive museum but also the town’s medieval castle. I’ve always been drawn to medieval castles for their architecture, aura of mystery, and the romantic appeal of the Middle Ages. Typically, visiting a medieval castle fills me with excitement and appreciation, but in the case of the castle in Bauska, I found myself leaving with mixed feelings.

The Castle’s Atmosphere: Not Quite Medieval Magic

To be honest, the castle in Bauska didn’t entirely meet my expectations in terms of medieval charm. The castle has been partially restored, which on one hand is impressive, but it also means that some areas feel quite modernized, lacking the authentic medieval atmosphere I had hoped for. Many of the museum halls are fairly empty, which makes it difficult to fully immerse yourself in the history of the place. I imagine that over time, the exhibits might grow and bring more life to the halls, but at the moment, they felt rather bare.

Highlights of the Bauska Castle

Despite this, there were still aspects of the castle in Bauska that I enjoyed. The inner courtyard was pleasant and well-kept, offering a nice space to wander and take in the architecture. One of the best parts was climbing the spiral staircase to reach the main tower, where the view from the top made the climb worth it.

If you’re a fan of medieval history and enjoy exploring castles, the Bauska Castle is still worth a visit, especially if you’re already in the area. However, as much as I appreciate medieval sites, I don’t see myself returning here for a second visit—it just didn’t capture me the way other castles have. But who knows? With time, perhaps more will be added to this historic site to make it feel as lively and captivating as it deserves to be.