Vastseliina piiskopilinnus
Medieval experience centre of the Vastseliina bishop’s castle in Vana-Vastseliina, consisting of a main building, a pilgrims’ house and an inn, next to the ruins of the 14th-century castle.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The castle was built in the 14th century in the south-eastern corner of the Tartu bishopric, to protect an important road between Old Livonia and Pskov. For three centuries the castle remained unconquered, until a revolt among the defenders during the Livonian War led to its fall. The miracle-working cross in the castle chapel was considered the best-known pilgrimage destination in Northern Europe. During the Great Northern War the castle was destroyed by the troops of Peter I.
Today the ruins contain a large cross, benches and a sound installation playing spiritual music. Below the western slope of the castle lies the Vana-Vastseliina manor park, and on the bank of the Meeksi brook there is a knights’ track playground with a picnic area. The medieval experience centre operates in the main building, the pilgrims’ house and the former inn.
Highlights
- 14th-century castle ruins and the sacred site of the chapel of the Holy Cross
- Main building exhibition “Karistuse varjud” (Shadows of Punishment) on punishments from the 13th to the 19th century, including iron masks
- Interactive exhibition on medieval pilgrimages in the pilgrims’ house
- Manor park and knights’ track playground
- Kõrts & Köök (Inn & Kitchen) with medieval food (by advance booking)
Permanent exhibitions
- Karistuse varjud – The renewed exhibition in the main building presents punishments from the 13th to the 19th century; outside there is a large collection of iron masks.
- Palverännumaja ekspositsioon – Interactive exhibition on medieval pilgrims and pilgrimages, including the chapel of the Holy Cross of Vastseliina.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €13 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €11Pensioners and pupils |
| Children & teens | freePre-school children enter free. |
| Families | €28Family ticket. |
| Visit to the castle courtyard | €4 |
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The main building, the pilgrims’ house and the inn are accessible by wheelchair; help with installing ramps is available from the information kiosk. There is no wheelchair access to the second floor of the main building. Lifts for people with disabilities connect the floors of the pilgrims’ house, and there is an accessible toilet there. The castle tower, the sacred place and the manor park cannot be reached by wheelchair. Within the castle courtyard you can move along the gravel-surfaced light-traffic path.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €28 · Family ticket. |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
The pilgrims’ house has a baby changing table in the accessible toilet. The knights’ track playground can be reached with a pushchair; there is a picnic area on the bank of the Meeksi brook.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
A hard-surfaced light-traffic path leads from the car park to the experience centre; when crossing the road, be careful of cars.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
The castle inn “Kõrts & Köök” serves food inspired by the Middle Ages, made from local seasonal ingredients, by advance order.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Experience programmes for children and young people, and excursions and experience packages for groups, must be booked in advance; workshops and learning sessions take place only in the low season. Medieval board games can be played in the pilgrims’ house. |