Lielstraupe Castle
Lielstraupe Castle (Latvian: Lielstraupes pils) in Latvia served as a hospital for many years. Until just a few years ago, it was still in use as a specialized narcology hospital focusing on the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. The hospital operated within the castle from 1963 until the end of 2017 / beginning of 2018.
So, if you visited the castle during the 2010s or even in the early 2020s, locals might still have referred to it as the "hospital castle." After the hospital closed, ownership and management were transferred to the local municipality, and the building has gradually been opened to visitors and cultural activities.
An interesting detail is that the castle's use as a hospital lasted for more than 50 years. This actually helped preserve the building, as it remained in continuous use and was regularly maintained throughout that period.
What makes Lielstraupe particularly fascinating is that, despite its long hospital history, much of its historic interior has survived. Visitors can still see features such as early 20th-century oak staircases, original doors, parquet floors, and traditional tiled stoves.
The hospital remained in operation at the castle from 1963 until the end of 2017 / beginning of 2018. Since then, the municipality has opened the building to tourism, and today it hosts guided tours as well as various cultural events.
The complex is essentially a medieval castle and a church combined within the same architectural ensemble—an arrangement that is rare even in the Baltic region.
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Kati
