Narva Castle, Estonia
The Narva Castle is a medieval castle located on the Narva River in the city of Narva, in the eastern Estonia by the Russian border. The exact date of the castle's construction is unknown but it was probably built in the first half of the 13th century although were the town Narva and the Narva Castle first mentioned in written sources in year 1329. The building activities continued also in the 14th century and by 1341 was the castle already constructed in two parts, the main castle tower and a northern courtyard. In 1346 the Danes sold the Narva Castle to the Livonian Order which rebuilt according their needs.
After the Russians constructed the Ivangorod Fortress on the opposite bank of the River Narva overlooking the Narva Castle at the end of the 15th century the Order additionally rebuilt the Narva Castle and strengthen its defensive system. During the Livonian War of 1558-82 was the Narva Castle shortly captured by the Russians but after passing through hands a few times it finally passed to Sweden in 1581. During the Great Northern War (1700-21) were after the initial victory of the Swedish forces over much larger Russian army in the Battle of Narva in 1700 the town and the castle captured by the Russians in 1704. In the following year the Russians refortified the Narva Castle but after the danger of attack ceased the Narva Castle lost its military importance and was untouched until the beginning of the 19th century when some repairs were made. The Narva Castle was severely damaged in 1944 during the World War II but was in the second half of the 20th century restored and is today opened to the public.
