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Viljandi Order Castle

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Viljandi Order Castle

Viljandi Order Castle

The ruins of this Viljandi Order Castle overlook the Viljandi Lake from a hill in the Castle Park. The Knights of the Sword founded this castle when they conquered this area in the 13th century.

A little history will help. This region was conquered by Germanic crusading knights. Having overrun Slavic lands in modern-day eastern Germany and western Poland in the 12th century, the Germanic expansionists turned their attention to the eastern Baltic.

Following papal calls for a crusade against the heathen, Germanic missionaries arrived in the Viljandi region. The Knights of the Sword was established in 1202-an order of crusading knights whose white cloaks were designed with blood-red swords and crosses-with the mission of converting the masses.

Despite intense resistence, Estonia fell to the Knights in 1217 with the defeat of the Estonian leader, Lembitu.

These Knights built a castle in Viljandi...ruins are all that is left after many centuries. The corner tower is known as Villu Kelder, named for the leader of a 14th century Estonian who led a rebellion against the Sword but was captured and spent the rest of his life a prisoner in the castle.

From journal Viljandi Estonia-Well worth a Visit

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