Ruins of the Vastseliina Episcopal Castle
Ruins of the Vastseliina Episcopal Castle
Ruins of the Vastseliina Episcopal Castle
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Episcopal castle dating back to the 14th century was established by the Bishop of Tartu and Grandmaster of Livonia and thanks to many renovations and extensions it developed into a strong border fortress. The landlords of the castle came from many different countries. The castle met its end during the Great Northern War when it was demolished by Russian troops (1702). In the Middle Ages, Vastseliina Castle was well known in the Catholic world as a popular destination for pilgrims. They worshipped the holy cross in the castle chapel and a visit to the chapel gave them sanctification for 40 days - it was first validated by Pope Innocentius VI in 1354. Nowadays you can visit medieval theme centre located next to the castle, where you can taste, feel and see the life of medieval people.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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3 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
29 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Richard M
BC, Canada333 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
If you are in the Setomaa region, this interesting castle ruin is worth a visit. We enjoyed the interactive displays, staff in period costume, climbing a castle tower and watching the family of storks in their nest on top of the tower. Make sure you visit the interpretive centre (with multiple floors so it is much larger than it looks from the outside) and also walk down the hill to the playground /picnic area by the river, for a unique view of the castle ruins.
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kwik S
Dubai58 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Please don’t drive to the location using TripAdvisor app. It is not there. Go to the website of the castle you will find correct location there. It is about 15 min drive from TripAdvisor location.
The place is nice to visit and museum is small but well maintained. I agree with the previous reviewer that it is rather expensive for what you get in return. In total I think we spent around 1.5 hrs including spending quite some time just sitting in the grass between the ruins.
But if you are in the neighborhood it’s worth to have a look
The place is nice to visit and museum is small but well maintained. I agree with the previous reviewer that it is rather expensive for what you get in return. In total I think we spent around 1.5 hrs including spending quite some time just sitting in the grass between the ruins.
But if you are in the neighborhood it’s worth to have a look
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1Viktor1
Estonia658 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Place where needed to be and walk a bit, in summer time are special great events close to this place.
Good for couples, friends and family travels.
Good for couples, friends and family travels.
Written January 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimeTripper
Vantaa, Finland824 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
If you are interested in history or have a family with kids, worth going. Lots of climbing and walking around. Entrance fee to the ruins 1 euro per adult, kids are free.
Written July 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ello V
Tartu, Estonia76 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
The museum and the ruins outside offer a lot of different activities (most fun for kids, but also for adults). In addition to the traditional exposition in the museum, you can try on the chain armour or medieval clothing (the last one is for additional cost), do some handicraft in a workshop (also extra cost, but not expensive), play in the playroom, admire and shop the handicraft items made by locals, walk in the ruins and climb to one of the towers, have a horse riding just across the road of the castle and if you have more time, take a hike on the hiking trail.
We spent more than 2h inside the museum and would have spent more time outside as well (but it started to rain...). Definitely worth the visit.
We spent more than 2h inside the museum and would have spent more time outside as well (but it started to rain...). Definitely worth the visit.
Written August 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ulle P
Tallinn, Estonia19 contributions
Dec 2018
This place is remarkably beautiful and offers stunning views on the medieval castle and surrounding nature. Pope of Rome gave indulgence to all visitors of the castle chapel where once a miracle tool place. Since that Vastseliina Episcopal Castle is destination of pilgrimage. Nowadays a newly built Pilgrims House with remarkable exposition gives an overview of pilgrimage and offers possibilities to experience of pilgrims life. This building has also great arcchitecture and got annual architecture reward of Estonia in 2018.
Written December 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip K
Stanton Harcourt, UK81 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Visited the ruins when in Estonia. The museum is interesting, you have an opportunity to dress in chainmail armour, helmet and hold a sword which is good. Part of the visitor centre / museum is a new build and the views down below to the river are good. There's a stork nesting site on the castle ruins that has been in use each year since the mid 19th century. The castle ruins have been preserved and shored up but there's not too much of it left. The walk down to the river is OK. It is a fairly high part of what is on the whole a very flat country so the views aren't too bad, but there is a viewing tower a short way down the road you can go up for free if it's taking in the landscape is what you're after. It is overall worth going there but feel it is a little over-priced for what it is.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda K
Riga, Latvia45 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Place is nice. If you are near, do the visit. It costs only 1 EUR and you can take some nice pictures.
Written July 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaana_Soulforge
Vantaa, Finland444 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Ended up here by accident. In the middle of nowhere. Staff is dressed up as they're from different era. They have a tavern with small stuff to eat but it's served from clay pots etc. Eye for details. :) The castle at the back is interesting to walk about but doesn't take that long. It's a nice pit stop.
Written July 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liinakas S
Parnu, Estonia21 contributions
Jul 2017
Take a time for a little stop. Interesting place to visit with children. A glimpse to middle age. There is also a playground for little knights.
Written July 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review! You are welcomed back. Come and visit us next year when pilgrimage museum is open.
Written July 19, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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