Tērvete Hillfort
Tērvete Castle Hill · Hof Zabeln
Iron Age to 1286 CE (Semigallian)·Semigallian·🇱🇻 Dobele Municipality, Tērvete parish, Zemgale, Latvia
About
About Tērvete Hillfort
Zemgale's greatest Semigallian hillfort complex at Tērvete — three hillforts (Wooden Castle Hill 35 m, Swede Hill, Kloster Hill) plus 1000+ barrow cemetery. Capital of Semigallian duke Viestards (1228–30), resisted crusaders until 1290 burn. Subsequent German wood castle 1332. Excavated by Brīvkalne. Full-scale wooden castle reconstruction and archaeological park.
Why it mattersZemgale's greatest Semigallian hillfort complex at Tērvete — three hillforts (Wooden Castle Hill 35 m, Swede Hill, Kloster Hill) plus 1000+ barrow cemetery. Capital of Semigallian duke Viestards (1228–30), resisted crusaders until 1290 burn. Subsequent German wood castle 1332. Excavated by Brīvkalne
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Viestards' strategy vs Crusaders
Theories
- 01Tērvete as Zemgale's last pagan stronghold 1290
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.800 CE hillfort; 1279 wood castle
- Period
- Iron Age to 1286 CE (Semigallian)
- Culture
- Semigallian
- Purpose
- Capital hillfort of Semigallian duke Viestards, later German wood castle
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
56.4850° N · 23.3900° E · 35 m · 3 mapped features
Wooden Castle Hill
hillfort35 m main hillfort with rampart
56.4855° N · 23.3910° EAncient Town Terrace
settlementSettlement terrace with Semigallian houses
56.4850° N · 23.3900° EBarrow Cemetery
cemetery1000+ mounds on south slope
56.4845° N · 23.3890° E
Gallery