"Bauska's castle ruins date back to the 15th
century. The first thing you notice as you approach is this rather large, fat,
mortar canon, at least half a meter in diameter. It must have been quite
fearsome in its day! Very little could have stood up against its withering
attack."
Well, that certainly sounded good when I first wrote
it. However, a long time resident of Bauska informed me these were big flower
pots which vandals kept toppling; finally the city fathers left them as is and
cemented them in place. I'd still like to think they were mortars
before being flower pots!"Bauska's castle ruins date back to the 15th
century. The first thing you notice as you approach is this rather large, fat,
mortar canon, at least half a meter in diameter. It must have been quite
fearsome in its day! Very little could have stood up against its withering
attack."
Well, that certainly sounded good when I first wrote
it. However, a long time resident of Bauska informed me these were big flower
pots which vandals kept toppling; finally the city fathers left them as is and
cemented them in place. I'd still like to think they were mortars
before being flower pots!Bauska
Looks like a mortar outside, guarding the castle, but really just a toppled flower pot!
To the left is the Musa River, one half of the pair of
rivers, the other being the Memele, that eventually form the Lielupe (Big
River). It's quite a scenic view down the river valley.
To the left is the Musa River, one half of the pair of
rivers, the other being the Memele, that eventually form the Lielupe (Big
River). It's quite a scenic view down the river valley.
Bauska
A view from the castle along the Musa river
Looking up, the castle tower is still intact. A Latvian flag
flies on top. I heard of a story that the flag would even make its appearance
here in Soviet times, but that's hearsay at best.
Looking up, the castle tower is still intact. A Latvian flag
flies on top. I heard of a story that the flag would even make its appearance
here in Soviet times, but that's hearsay at best.
Bauska
The Latvian flag flies atop the castle
If you follow along the wall and around the corner, you come to
the entrance and go inside the castle's spacious interior. It's a formidable
fortress against any foe. I can see it easily holding all of the surrounding's
inhabitants in times of an attack. Situated on the fork of the Lielupe into the
Musa and Memele, the castle controlled major trade routes into Lithuania and
Poland. That's my (Peters') mom in the picture!
If you follow along the wall and around the corner, you come to
the entrance and go inside the castle's spacious interior. It's a formidable
fortress against any foe. I can see it easily holding all of the surrounding's
inhabitants in times of an attack. Situated on the fork of the Lielupe into the
Musa and Memele, the castle controlled major trade routes into Lithuania and
Poland. That's my (Peters') mom in the picture!
Bauska
Peters' mom inside the castle courtyard
Climbing to the very top of the tower, we can appreciate the
fort's strategic placement. It's actually built on top of a bluff right on the
river's edge. As a result, it has a truly commanding position overlooking the
river. Any approach by water can be seen miles away.
Climbing to the very top of the tower, we can appreciate the
fort's strategic placement. It's actually built on top of a bluff right on the
river's edge. As a result, it has a truly commanding position overlooking the
river. Any approach by water can be seen miles away.
Bauska
A view from the top of the castle
Looking down inside the tower, there are several canonballs
arranged neatly all the way at the base. You can see them in the upper right
corner. Do you get the same feeling of vertigo I did? It's a long way
down!
Looking down inside the tower, there are several canonballs
arranged neatly all the way at the base. You can see them in the upper right
corner. Do you get the same feeling of vertigo I did? It's a long way
down!
Bauska
Looking down to the base of the castle tower
Of course, all that climbing sure does work up an appetite! We
take a break for the typical/traditional tailgate picnic before heading
further. Coffee, bread, cheese, all sorts of cold sausage, pickles and
cucumbers... it's too bad our sedentary modern lifestyle can't burn off this
kind of diet! There's nothing better!
Of course, all that climbing sure does work up an appetite! We
take a break for the typical/traditional tailgate picnic before heading
further. Coffee, bread, cheese, all sorts of cold sausage, pickles and
cucumbers... it's too bad our sedentary modern lifestyle can't burn off this
kind of diet! There's nothing better!
Bauska
We stop for a tailgate picnic
Not to mention working up a thirst! Perhaps it's not just chance
that Bauska is well known for something else as well. Bauskas Alus Daritava
(Beer Brewery) is one of the oldest and best. Definitely not high tech! The
labels might not be on quite straight. The colors of the glass bottles might
not all match. But their dark ale is a wonderful brew with few rivals, handily
beating the modernized (by a large Scandanavian interest) and omni-present (at
least in Riga) Aldaris.
Not to mention working up a thirst! Perhaps it's not just chance
that Bauska is well known for something else as well. Bauskas Alus Daritava
(Beer Brewery) is one of the oldest and best. Definitely not high tech! The
labels might not be on quite straight. The colors of the glass bottles might
not all match. But their dark ale is a wonderful brew with few rivals, handily
beating the modernized (by a large Scandanavian interest) and omni-present (at
least in Riga) Aldaris.
Bauska
Bauskas Tumsais (Dark), you won't be disappointed