All that is left from the once strong castle are only ruins with a romantic aura. The Semigallian Hillfort and the ruins of the Livonian Order Castle are located in Dobele, on the right bank of the River Bērze. The beginnings of the settlement of the oldest inhabitants of Dobele, namely, the Semigallians, date back to 1st millennium BC. Nestled in the middle of the ancient city, the Semigallian wooden castle had been one of the administrative centres of the ancient Semigallians. After a battle in 1289, Semigallians fled the castle, burned it down, and left for Raktė, Lithuania, undefeated.
In the time period between 1335 and 1347, the Livonian Order replaced the wooden castle with a stone castle, later adding a church and a park. After 1729, the castle built by the Livonian Order was no longer inhabited and gradually fell into ruin.
The ruins of the Dobele Medieval castle are a cultural monument of national significance and at the same time the oldest structure in Dobele. Only some parts of the once strong stone walls have remained. The cosy courtyard has been a popular venue for various events since the 1930’s.
In 2002, the conservation of the Dobele Castle ruins commenced with the support of the Dobele City Council. The reconstructed chapel building was put into operation in 2020, becoming a multi-functional cultural, crafts, and tourism development centre under the designation ‘Dobele Castle’.
Guided tours are offered to tourist groups.
