Dundaga Castle

Guided tours of Dundaga Castle are available only by prior reservation

16th October  – 14th May
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fr: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM;
Sa, Su: closed

15th May – 15th October
Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr: 8.30 – 12.00 and 12.30 – 17.00;
Sa, Su: 11.00 – 17.00

In the Castle, the gallery of the former owners can be seen, and there is a small exhibition with photos and drawings describing various stages of the Castle’s construction.
The permanent exhibition «Crocodiles Nest» is in the Castle. It is about the popular countryman who used to be a crocodile hunter and an opal digger in Australia, Arvīds Blūmentāls more popular globally under the name of Crocodile Harry.
In cooperation with the Latvian Medal Art Club — the permanent exposition of medals is located in the halls of Dundaga Castle.
Many legends are related with the Castle, the most popular of them being about the Green Maiden.

Duration of the excursions 1–1.5 hours.

Excursion in the Castle: 3.50 € for adults; 2,45 € for seniors and persons with disabilities; 1,75 € for school-children and students.

Dundaga Castle is the largest in Northern Kurzeme and is remarkably well-preserved. Built in the mid-13th century by the Riga Cathedral Chapter, it was purchased by the Bishop of Courland in 1434 and belonged to the Maidel and Ostenzaken families from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The castle has undergone multiple fires and reconstructions, with the most recent one after the 1905 burning. The castle is associated with many legends, the most famous being the one about the Green Lady.

Today, Dundaga Castle serves as a venue for grand celebrations, weddings, tours, comfortable accommodation, and is a place of undiscovered opportunities and revelations. It houses an Art and Music School and a weaver’s workshop. Dundaga Castle becomes especially mysterious during the Legend Nights celebration at the end of October.

One of the exhibition rooms features a gallery of the castle’s former owners and a small display with photos and drawings depicting various stages of the castle’s construction.

On the first floor of the castle, there is a permanent exhibition titled “Crocodile Nest” about Arvīds Blūmentāls (1925–2006), a popular local, former crocodile hunter, and opal racer in Australia, known worldwide as the prototype for the film “Crocodile Dundee”, which is more popular globally under the name of Crocodile Harry.

In the Castle’s Vaulted halls, there is a permanent Medal Exhibition created in 2008 in collaboration with the Latvian Medal Art Club. The exhibition includes works by artists such as Jānis Strupulis, Jānis Mikāns, Vija Mikāne (1937–2004), Antra Urtāne, Inese Nātriņa and other artists, as well as gifts presented to the authors by foreign artists. The exhibition also features several medals dedicated to outstanding residents of Dundaga.