Ventspils Museum

Ventspils Museum is one of Latvia’s most engaging cultural institutions, weaving together archaeology, maritime heritage, and local history across several sites. Its heart lies in the 13th‑century Livonian Order Castle, the oldest surviving medieval fortress in the country and a rare example of early stone architecture on the Baltic coast. Once a military stronghold and later a prison, the castle now houses atmospheric exhibitions that reveal centuries of life in this strategic port town. The museum also preserves Ventspils’ deep connection to the sea. At the Seaside Open‑Air Section, visitors encounter historic fishing huts, a functioning narrow‑gauge railway, and traditional boats that once sailed the Baltic. This collection highlights the region’s long maritime traditions, from net‑making to coastal navigation. An interesting fact is that Ventspils Museum manages one of Latvia’s largest archaeological collections, including finds from ancient Curonian settlements. Its work has helped uncover the region’s early trading networks and cultural links across the Baltic Sea.