History
Rosenbeck castle, owned by archbishop’s vassals, the Rozen family, appeared in historical sources in a document from 1372. In 1385, the owner of the castle, Voldemar Rozens, was mentioned. In the fifteenth century, due to the lack of Rozen heirs, the building often changed owners. In the years 1489-1508 it was owned by the brothers Evold, Bartholomew and Andrew Patkula, and the next owner was Jorg Krīdeners. At the beginning of the 17th century, the castle was burned during the Polish-Swedish wars. In 1624, repairs were made and new buildings were also built. Eventually, the castle burnt down in 1907, after which it was not repaired.
Architecture
The castle consisted of a building on a rectangular plan, surrounded by an elongated, rectangular perimeter of the defensive wall with two corner cylindrical towers or bastions. The larger of them in the south-west corner has spacious shooting chambers testifying to the completion of the castle in the last quarter of the 15th century. In the purchase agreement of 1477, numerous rooms were also mentioned within the perimeter wall, including a chapel, a refectory – dining room, warehouses, etc. Like most small vassal castles, the defense of which was based on irrigated moats, Rosenbeck was also equipped with a mill, which was located on the eastern side.
Current state
Until today only a ruined, single tower has been preserved. The remains of earth ramparts are also visible. Entrance to the ruins is free.
bibliography:
Ose I., Neugebaute Türme der Burgen Lettlands, “Castella Maris Baltici” nr. 3-4, Turku-Tartu-Malbork, 2001.
Tuulse A., Die Burgen in Estland und Lettland, Dorpat 1942.