Narva Castle
Hermann Castle in Narva, which is more than 700 years old, has been ruled over by Danes, Germans, Swedes, and Russians over the ages, but today belongs to Estonians. It took on its current form during the Livonian Order's reign from the 14th to the 16th century. After being badly damaged during WWII, the castle was extensively rebuilt in the 1970s and 1980s before opening as a museum with a permanent exhibition depicting Narva's history as well as around a dozen temporary exhibitions.
The full renovation of Narva Castle was finished in June 2020 as part of the 'Opening of the Border Castle Discovery Centre' project, and tourists may now see the east wing of the castle, which was previously closed to visitors. A new permanent display in the castle opened in the summer of 2020, concentrating on the castle's history from the arrival of the first Danes on the banks of the Narva River to the current day. Every fall, the Estonian Institutions Festival takes place in Narva, with the greatest exhibitions from Estonian museums being transported here and remaining open until the end of the year. Concerts and conferences are held in the castle's magnificent vaulted knights' meeting and banquet hall, as well as the slightly smaller hall in the north wing, while the 51-meter-high Tall Hermann Tower offers views of Narva, the Kreenholm factory, and the Russian fortress of Ivangorod across the river.
The Northern Yard, an artists' history center, runs out of the castle's north yard during the summer, while the Western Yard hosts huge open-air events and is a popular spot for free time and wandering. The Linne Herb Garden, which was inspired by Swedish botanist Carl Linne's notion of enriching ancient places by constructing both beauty and practical gardens, is also located here. The only restaurant in Narva to be listed in the White Guide rankings of the finest places to dine in Estonia is Narva Museum's restaurant Rondeel, which is located in the artillery tower in the northwest corner of the Western Yard.
Location: Narva, Estonia
