- Address: 20308 Narva, Estonia;
- Area: 3,2 hectares;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Price: adult - 6 €, child - 3 €;
- Phone: +372 359 9245;
- Site: narvamuuseum.ee.
The most famous landmark in Narva is called the Narva Castle, the fortress on Narva or the castle of Herman. Previously, this Baltic medieval structure was, together with the Russian Ivano-Dorod Castle, an architectural ensemble. And although there are two fortresses directly opposite to the other, to get into both, you need to get permission from the border authorities of the two states.
Narva Castle - description
It can be called a real miracle that Narva Castle, located in such a vulnerable place - on the border itself, has survived to the present day. After all, in every war it became the first target for enemy invaders. But each time the rulers of the city desperately undertook to restore the damaged parts of the castle, and the fortress again and again reborn from the ruins, ready to repel another attack of the enemy.
The total area of the castle in Narva is slightly more than 3 hectares. Statue Tower Long Hermann towers above the fortress at 51 m.
Today in the fortresses permanent and temporary museum exhibitions are held, on the top of the tower for tourists there is an observation deck with a picturesque panorama of the city and the former twin brother of the Narva Castle, the Russian Ivano-Borod fortress, is clearly visible.
History of the castle
Unfortunately, there are no reliable data on the exact time of the Narva castle erection in Narva. Historians agree that initially the fortress was built by Danes from a tree in the middle of the 13th century. A century later, the city received commercial privileges, and wooden buildings replaced stone walls and towers.
The new castle often suffered from raids, often not from the military. A beautiful and reliable fortress at the intersection of important trade routes did not like the Russian neighbors very much. It was repeatedly tried to burn and destroy that Novgorod, then Pskov.
The Danish king was tired of the constant strife that reigned around the border castle in Narva, and decided to sell this piece of land to the Livonian Order. Militant knights immediately took up strengthening of the structure, arranged several lines of protection, installed a lifting gate and dug around a deep ditch. The raids stopped for a while, but during the Livonian War Narva Castle was still taken by the Russians. Then it was won by the Swedes, but not for long. After the Northern War, he again found himself in the power of Rusich, and in 1918 became part of Estonia. Another attempt by Russia to seize the fortress was from the Soviet period, but in 1991 Narva regained the status of an Estonian city. Ironically, the castle in Narva several times in its history eludes Russia and, in the end, returns to its former place, which originally occupied the bank of the river dividing the two states.
Things to do?
In the cold season near the Narva Castle in Narva is quite crowded, but in summer the life at the fortress walls is boiling.
The northern courtyard is transformed into a kind of temporary portal. You can get into a real medieval city. Everywhere people go in the clothes of those times, they call in their shops merchants selling various souvenirs. There is even an unusual pharmacy with herbs and drugs. Almost all the assortment in it is sham, but for € 2 you can buy from a local pharmacist a delicious herbal tea. Especially popular among tourists is the improvised mint. For € 1 you will be minted here for the 1st era. By the way, this medieval currency can be paid in all the castle shops. There are also many artisan workshops on the square. Watching the work of potters and blacksmiths is very interesting, they gladly share the secrets of their skills and even allow tourists to try themselves in the role of folk craftsmen.
There is also a West courtyard on the territory of the castle in Narva. It is used as a concert venue for various events of the open air format - fairs, festivals, concerts, competitions.
Especially important events with a limited number of guests are usually held in the castle walls - in the refectory or in the former knight's meeting room. Usually these are conferences, meetings of dignitaries, custom-made wedding ceremonies.
Pleased to visit the Narva Castle of art lovers. In some rooms of the fortress there are several exhibition halls with permanent exhibitions devoted to the history of the city and the castle itself. Every year, the Estonian Museum Festival is also held, according to which the best exhibitions from all cities are transported to Narva for the time being and are exhibited for several months in the castle.
If you were in the Narva fortress in the summer, you will have the opportunity to see an unusual monument to the Swedish scientist - biologist Karl Linnaeus. This is not a monument, not a sculpture and not a bust. Perpetuate the memory of the world-famous botanist here decided in an original way - to plant a garden from the plants described by him. The Garden of Linnaeus is located right at the foot of the Long Herman.
Important information for tourists
- entrance to the territory of the Narva Castle is free, the ticket is only needed to visit the exhibition halls and climb to the observation deck;
- the castle complex is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Weekends: 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January;
- The North Yard works from May 20 to August 28;
- the cost of tickets to the art gallery: adult - € 2, child / student - 1 €, family - € 4;
- the cost of tickets to Narva Castle, including climbing to the observation deck: adult - € 6, child / student - 3 €, family - € 12;
- cost of common tickets (art gallery + castle): adult - € 7, child / student - 3,5 €, family - € 14;
- for groups of up to 20-25 people, there are interesting thematic excursions ("One day from the life of a knight", "Legends of the old Narva", "The Ring of Bastions");
- you can participate in exciting quests: "Get out of the dungeon" (cost - € 35 per game) and "Herman's Mysteries" (participation cost - € 8 per person), games are designed for 2-8 people;
- to visit tourists opened the tower of Long Herman and three castle wings;
- The cost of a subscription to the Narva Museum is € 30.
How to get there?
Narva Castle is in the eastern part of Narva on the Peterburi 2 road. You can get here from Russia. To do this, you just need to go through border control and cross a small bridge.
From the capital of Estonia, go to Narva about three hours by bus, a little less by car. From the bus station to the castle you can walk (distance approximately 1 km).