Originally, the Castle Chapel was built around 1335, and it has been the dominant building in the Castle complex ever since, preserving its appearance to the present day.
The construction works completed the archaeological survey and conservation of the site and constructed new infrastructure. The castle walls were first conserved, and critical damages were restored under the author’s supervision of Pēteris Blūms and a restoration specialist.
The functional division of the building foresees that:
1) the chapel has several entrances: the main entrance to the building through the historical opening on the west façade; two entrances through secondary openings on the south façade; a historical basement entrance on the north façade for staff use; entrance through an opening outside the territory of the ruins to a historical (non-original) staircase with exits on the 2nd floor and roof level of the east wing, intended to serve as an exhibit without permanent use.
2) the basement houses a visitors’ cloakroom, public corridors, visitors and staff bathrooms, a technical room, a built-in kitchen area, and an exhibition space in the eastern part of the basement.
3) 1st floor – exhibition space that functions also as seminar and conference hall (except for additional lighting in the central part of the room, which could seat 60 people);
4) 2nd floor – exhibition space with an open staircase in the eastern part;
5) roof level – an observation deck open to the public and technical rooms located in the middle under a gable roof. These technical rooms are used for gas heating and ventilation.
The construction works preserved the castle’s existing silhouette as a ruin: the upper ceiling and roof terrace are located between the walls of the castle’s two parts, and the new roof elements have not altered its overall visual appearance from a distance. Up close, the roof mostly remains concealed and can be noticed from certain angles only.
Worth mentioning is the fact that in 2020, it was the top winner at the competition “Best Building 2020” in the category “Restoration”. Its architectural solutions, the content of the exposition, its open-air exposition, more specifically, the garden of medicinal plants, and the wide range of cultural and entertainment activities have allowed the Dobele Castle to become one of the most important tourist attractions on the map of Zemgale region.
Guided tours are offered for groups as well as different kinds of educational programs for children. It is also possible to rent the main hall for conferences, seminars and wedding ceremonies.
