[View Article at Source] Kimmel is back for political reasons. He may be gone again soon for money reasons. The post A Cold Economic Wind Still Blows for Late-Night appeared first on The American Conservative.

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CNNs Jake Tapper is worried that President Donald Trump is taking a page out of his Democrat Partys playbook and is going after his political enemies with fraudulent lawsuits. Nah, unlike Trump,

15 Battles That Determined National Destiny - History Collection 4. Battle of Saratoga (1777) Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. The Battle of Saratoga, fought in September and October 1777, was a pivotal turning point in the American Revolutionary War. British General John Burgoyne’s army, aiming to divide the colonies by controlling the Hudson River Valley,...

On September 12, 1683, near the Austrian city of Vienna, at Mount Kahlenberg, Ottoman forces clashed with those of the Holy Roman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Viennas strategic location along trade routes from the Eastern Mediterranean to Germany made it a target of Ottoman interest. The combined forces, led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, managed to lift the Ottoman siege, safeguarding Vienna as well as shifting the balance of power in Europe.Before the Battle of ViennaBirds-eye view of Vienna before the Second Ottoman Siege of Vienna in 1683, by Folbert van Alten-Allen. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Ottoman Empires first attempt to capture Vienna took place in 1529. During this period, the Ottoman Empire, under the leadership of Sultan Suleiman I, had successfully expanded on the European continent by taking control over Belgrade in 1521 and most of Hungary in 1526. Sultan Suleiman I planned to take over Vienna, the capital of the Habsburg Austrian Empire, through a 20-day siege.The choice of Vienna as the primary target of the Ottoman military campaign was dictated by Suleimans aspiration to weaken Habsburg influence over its possessions, including Royal Hungary, a part of the Kingdom of Hungary that largely remained under Habsburg control following the death of King Louis II in 1526. Bringing Royal Hungary under his control would give the Ottoman forces significant leverage for further expansion in Europe. However, due to the harsh weather conditions (extreme cold and wind), the first siege of Vienna failed.The period between the 1520s and 1650s, also known as the Sultanate of Women, when women wielded unprecedented power in internal and external affairs, saw the decline of the Ottoman Empire. This period was also characterized by tensions and reciprocal attacks between Ottoman and Habsburg forces. The power balance shifted when, in 1656, Kprl Mehmed Pasha became Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, putting an end to the Sultanate of Women.Portrait of Kara Mustafa Pasha, by anonymous, 1696. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Vienna MuseumIn 1669, under his leadership, the Ottomans successfully concluded the Cretan War and captured the island. Then, in the war of 1672-1676, led by Sultan Mehmed IV, the Ottomans defeated Poland and Ukraine, taking control of Podolia and significantly expanding their presence on the European continent.On November 3, 1676, Kara Mustafa Pasha, a clever but overly ambitious politician and commander, took over the post of Grand Vizier of Mehmed IV. By 1683, the Pasha set out to conquer Vienna.By conquering Vienna, Kara Mustafa Pasha had the following objectives:Expand the Ottoman Empire in Central Europe, a move which would return the empire to its former glory;Increase his prestige as a powerful political figure and military commander;Religious motives: the rule of the Muslim Ottoman Empire in the heart of the Christian world would further strengthen its image.The Siege of ViennaThe Liberation of Vienna, by Franz (Frans) Geffels, 1683-1694, photograph by Birgit and Peter Kainz. Source: Vienna MuseumOn July 14, 1683, Kara Mustafa Pasha, along with a large number of Ottoman forces (around 100,000), approached Vienna and demanded the citys surrender. At this time, Vienna had about 22,500 soldiers under the command of Ernst Rdiger von Starnheimberg. Von Starnheimberg refused the demand, stating: Let him come; Ill fight to the last drop of blood.Vienna was considered one of the most defended European cities at that time, and the Ottomans decided not to attack it directly. Instead, Kara Mustafa Pasha opted to begin the second siege of Vienna.The Ottomans attempt to take over Vienna was brutal and intense. As the Ottoman soldiers surrounded Vienna, tunnels were dug into the citys walls. Roads and bridges were blocked, leaving the city in a state of starvation and unsanitary conditions as sewage, rubble, and corpses littered the streets and disease spread uncontrollably. By September, most of the Vienna fortress was demolished, and the remaining population was on the verge of starvation. Without assistance from the European powers, the city would inevitably surrender.Liberation of the Imperial Capital and Resident City of Vienna, by Georg Etzler (engraver), 1683. Source: Vienna MuseumMeanwhile, the Ottoman Army also faced significant setbacks. With declining morale and enduring harsh conditions, it is estimated that up to 25% of the Ottoman army simply deserted to Austria.To answer Viennas plea for help, the Holy League, a coalition of Christian states formed in 1571 to counter the Ottoman Empires expansion into Europe, worked urgently to gather its forces.The coalition army, under the leadership of the Polish King John III Sobieski, was soon formed. Upon approaching Vienna, the coalition army consisted of the soldiers from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, holding the right flank, and the Holy Roman Empire (Austria) under Charles of Lorraine, forming the left wing. Soldiers from various German states, including Bavaria, Saxony, Franconia, and Swabia, stood in the center.Even Pope Innocent XI called for Frances King Louis XIV to aid Vienna, though unsuccessfully.Sobieski, with his 20,000 forces, including roughly 3,000 elite Winged Hussars, crossed the Danube River, 30 km from Vienna, on September 6, 1683. Polish Winged Hussars were a heavy cavalry of the Polish-Lithuanian army, widely known for their wings attached to their saddles.The entire army, a symbol of a rare and momentous Christian alliance, consisted of about 65,000 soldiers. Even though the combined forces were multilingual, Sobieski and his team of leaders managed to overcome the language barrier and prepared the army for a decisive battle against the Ottoman forces. The momentous Battle of Vienna was about to unfold.The Battle of ViennaPortrait of John III Sobieski, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, by anonymous, 17th century. Source: Meisterdrucke/Wilanow Palace MuseumBy September 12, 1683, the anti-Ottoman forces had begun preparing for the attack. Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha refused to halt the siege. He was confident that Vienna was on the brink of falling, although he knew the well-prepared forces of the Christian coalition were approaching.Around 4 am on September 12, the Ottoman Empire launched a preemptive attack to disrupt the allies full mobilization and put pressure inside the city.The German and Austrian units took the brunt of the attack and showed strong resistance. As planned, Charles of Lorraine took position on the left while the German infantry stood in the center and bravely withstood continued Ottoman attacks. The defenders within Vienna also launched counterattacks, adding further pressure to the Ottoman army.By noon on September 12, the allied forces controlled the strategically important villages of Nussdorf and Heligenstadt. By the afternoon, the Ottoman soldiers morale had broken down. Months of siege, harsh conditions, and malnutrition, coupled with the realization of their enemies well-organized opposition, demotivated the soldiers. Late in the afternoon, as King Sobieski led a massive cavalry charge from the Kahlenberg Heights, the Ottoman soldiers began to retreat. Polish-Lithuanian cavalrymen, led by the Polish Winged Hussars, crashed into the Ottoman right flank. They adopted the tactics of shock charges, successfully breaking Ottoman lines during the Battle of Vienna.A depiction of a Polish winged hussar from an 1890 book. Source: atiAlong with the Winged Hussars, the Lipka Tatars made a significant contribution to the success of the Polish army. Wearing a sprig of straw to distinguish themselves from the Tatars fighting on the Ottoman side, they also successfully managed to break the lines of an already tired and disoriented enemy.This final move broke the Ottoman lines, and much of the Ottoman forces abandoned their camps, artillery, and even the Grand Viziers tent, which Sobieski later explored himself.Kara Mustafa Pasha retreated to Belgrade, where he ordered the mass execution of his military commanders, in large numbers, symbolizing a desperate attempt to avoid the responsibility for the loss.Later, Sultan Mehmed IV dismissed Kara Mustafa from his post and ordered his execution.Vienna was saved. John III Sobieski, echoing Julius Caesar, proclaimed the victory with the following words: Veni, vidi, Deus vicit (I came, I saw, God conquered).Aftermath & Legacy of the Battle of ViennaView of the Battle of Vienna on September 12, 1683, on the Hill of Kahlenberg, by anonymous, undated. Source: MeisterdruckeThe Ottoman Empires unsuccessful attempt to capture Vienna catalyzed its decline and eventual expulsion from Central Europe. After the Battle of Vienna, Pope Innocent XI initiated the creation of a renewed and formalized anti-Ottoman Holy League, composed of the Holy Roman Empire, headed by Habsburg Austria, the Venetian Republic, Poland, and Lithuania. In 1686, the Russian Empire joined the leaguethe first instance in history when Russia joined the European alliance.The Great Turkish War of 1683-1699, which followed the Battle of Vienna, represented a series of intense conflicts for acquiring territorial control in Europe fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League. As a result, in 1686, the city of Buda in Hungary was liberated, and the Christian coalition liberated Belgrade in 1688. The Second Battle of Mohcs, also known as the Battle of Harsny Mountain, in August 1687, resulted in the complete expulsion of the Ottomans from Hungary. With the active involvement of the Russian Empire, during the Crimean War (1687-1688) and Azov campaigns (1695-1696), RussiasTsar Peter the Great acquired control over Azov, a port city located in southern Russia.Physicians, representing the Holy League against the Turks, gather around the sick sultan; representing the Peace of Karlowitz, etching by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli. ca. 1700. Source: Wellcome Collection, LondonThe turning point came during the Battle of Zent (now Senta, Serbia) in 1697, where the members of the Holy League defeated Ottoman forces. Following the victory, Austria emerged as a key European power.The hostilities ended in 1699, and the Treaty of Karlowitz was signed on January 26. The treaty is also widely known as The Austrian treaty that saved Europe. According to the agreement, the Ottoman Empire ceded Hungary to Austria, Poland acquired Podolia and parts of Ukraine, while Azov went to the Russian Empire.The signing of the treaty marked the first instance of the Ottoman Empire losing key European possessions, bringing to an end its four centuries of expansion in Europe (1299-1683).The Battle of Vienna not only ensured the safety of Vienna but also changed the balance of power on the European continent by setting the stage for the liberation of the Ottoman Empires annexed territories in Central and Eastern Europe. It successfully showcased the power of unity and strategic thinking of the leading powers, which reshaped the course of European history.

After toppling the Provisional Government and executing the last tsars family, the Bolsheviks seized the former imperial governments wealth. When the Soviets began running short on funds, they opened the treasure chests stored in the Kremlins Diamond Fund. The Peoples Finance Committee decided to sell hundreds of jewelry, Faberg eggs, and tsarist regalia items, such as Catherine the Greats gems, to Western buyers. Valued at five million rubles or over $1 billion today, some of these items entered private collections, while other notable treasures disappeared from history.1. Crown JewelsImperial crown jewels photographed for the 1920s Soviet auction. Source: North Country Public RadioWhen World War I broke out in 1914, the Russian government packed and sealed the crown jewels into eight trunks. These trunks, shipped from the capital of Petrograd (St Petersburg) to Moscow, arrived at the Armory Chamber in the Kremlin. The trunks stayed sealed with their wealth of historic treasures until the war ended and the Soviets opened the trunks in 1922. To their surprise, they found 773 jewels, imperial regalia, and bars of gold, platinum, and silver.After the downfall of the Romanovs in 1917, the Soviets realized that the jewels seized from the imperial family and other aristocrats were disappearing at lightning speed. Even the first 63-member committee, tasked with securing and recording the treasures, fell under suspicion when gems continued to disappear. The Bolsheviks executed several committee members for theft and shipped others off to Siberia.In 1922, the Bolsheviks established another committee. This time, famous mineralogist Aleksandr Evgenevich Fersman and jewel experts, which included Agathon Faberg, began cataloging and photographing the 25,300 carats of diamonds, 3,200 carats of rare Colombian emeralds, and 2,600 carats of Ceylon, Kashmir, and Siam sapphires found in Russian crown jewels and regalia. Listed as of great historical value, these gems included topazes, amethysts, garnets, turquoises, beryl, and alexandrite, jewelry such as aquamarine diadems, rings, earrings, and necklaces, and loose gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls.This collection spanned the fourteenth through twentieth centuries, from before the reign of Ivan the Terrible to Nicholas II, and included treasures such as the 189-carat Orlov diamond, the Imperial Nuptial Crown, and the Imperial Globe decorated with a 200-carat sapphire.Catherine II by Aleksey Antropov, c. 1765. Source: Tver Gallery via Wikimedia CommonsThe Soviets vacillated between keeping the treasures on account of their historical significance and selling them off to gain hard currency during the post-civil war famine. In 1925, the Soviet government published a special committee report, Russias Treasure of Diamonds and Precious Stones, to publicize that they did not intend to sell the 406 Romanov jewels featured in the record. According to a 1719 imperial decree by Peter the Great, no one could buy, sell, or give away these jewels. But since the Bolsheviks had destroyed the old order, these rules no longer applied.Multiple jewels went up for international auction under Joseph Stalin several years later. Between 1927 and 1938, the Soviets sold three-quarters or 569 of the imperial jewels to buyers at Christies and Sothebys auction houses. Many of these jewels disappeared without a trace after the sale.2. Faberg Egg Hen With Sapphire PendantThe First Hen Egg. Like the 1886 Faberg Hen Egg and its missing sapphire pendant, this egg once contained a replica of the imperial crown which enclosed a ruby pendant egg. Source: FabergMost people have heard of the House of Faberg, the Russian luxury jewelry firm estimated to have created 150,000-200,000 pieces during its existence. Famed as the court jeweler to tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II, the Faberg firm made 69 imperial eggs for the Romanovs between 1885 and 1916.After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks nationalized the company and seized its stock. In the aftermath, seven Faberg eggs went missing. These eggs, valued at millions of dollars apiece, currently include one of the first Faberg eggs commissioned by Emperor Alexander III for his wife, Maria Feodorovna. Known as the Faberg Hen Egg with a Sapphire Pendant, no known images of this lost egg exist. Commissioned in 1886, the egg, made of gold and decorated with hundreds of rose diamonds, showcased a hen holding a sapphire egg pendant in her beak after taking it out of a gold nest.Until the Russian Revolution, the egg lived at the Dowager Empress home at the Anichkov Palace in St Petersburg. After 1922, when an inventory showed that it was housed in the Kremlins Armory Palace collection, the eggs trail went cold.Today, it remains a mystery whether the egg is lost or ended up in the hands of a private collector who has never revealed its existence.3. The Mauve Faberg EggThe Mauve Room at the Alexander Palace. Source: Wikimedia CommonsCrafted by Faberg for the Dowager Empress in 1897, the Mauve Egg likely had a gold and mauve enamel shell enclosing a heart-shaped surprise that opened like a three-leaf clover. These three miniatures, made from rose-cut diamonds, pearls, and red, white, and green enamel, finished with watercolors painted on ivory, are the only parts of the Mauve Egg that survive today. The surprise depicted Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna, and their baby, Grand Duchess Olga.This Faberg egg did not appear in either the 1917 or 1922 inventories that listed confiscated Romanov valuables. This leaves the possibility that either Maria Feodorovna escaped with it when she left Russia or someone else took it before the Soviets had a chance to document it.For treasure hunters, it is interesting to note that in February 1933, the Soviets transferred the Armory to the commandants office in the Kremlin. During this transition, Commandant Rudolf Peterson released three Faberge Easter eggs without any documentation other than verbal instruction. With the eggs scattered around the former empire or snapped up by foreign buyers, Romanov memorabilia such as Easter eggs, jewelry, icons, and other valuables turned up in antique shops like Armand Hammers department stores in the United States during the 1930s. In 1924, the House of Faberg moved to Paris, refurbishing and recreating items reminiscent of former imperial glory.A final possible mention of the Mauve Egg appeared during the Exhibition of Russian Art at Belgrave Square in London in 1935. Lent to the exhibition by the Dowager Empress daughter, Grand Duchess Xenia, the exhibition catalogue offered an Easter egg containing a miniature portrait of Empress Alexandra and Grand Duchess Olga. It did not, however, mention a miniature picture of the last tsar.4. Nicholas IIs Diamond-Encrusted SaberPortrait of Nicholas II by E. F. Liphart, 1914 and 1888 Caucasian saber (shashka) engraved in gold and enameled floral motifs. Source: Russian Virtual Museum/Apollo AuctionsWhile there remains little historical information about a specific saber encrusted with diamonds owned by the last tsar, a former KGB officer later revealed that Nicholas II and his son, Tsarevich Alexei, owned diamond-encrusted sabers at the time of their exile to Tobolsk and later at Ekaterinburg, where they were murdered in July 1918.During the 1930s and early 1940s, Josef Stalin undertook special operations to track down the former tsars treasures, with limited success.The whereabouts of these prized sabers remain unknown today since many personal items of inestimable value that the Romanovs smuggled with them to Siberia have disappeared without a trace.5. Royal Danish EggFaberg Royal Danish Egg from a pre-revolutionary photograph. Princess Dagmar of Denmark (later Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia, Left) with her father and siblings. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThis deluxe egg, also known as the Danish Jubilee Egg, mysteriously disappeared from its perch at the Gatchina Palace after July 1917.Made by the Faberg firm in 1903, this jeweled and enameled Easter Egg belonged to Nicholas IIs mother, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna. Inside the pale blue egg, studded with gold and precious stones, nestled a double-sided stand with two portraits of Maria Feodorovnas parents, King Christian IX of Denmark and Queen Louise of Hesse-Kassel. Topping out at a whopping nine inches in height, upheld by heraldic lions, and crowned with a miniature figurine of the Danish ancient Order of the Elephant, the Royal Danish Egg was one of the largest Faberge eggs ever made.Nicholas II sent it to his mother during her Easter trip to Denmark to commemorate the 40th anniversary of her fathers accession to the throne. It is one of the three lost Faberg eggs that only exists in a single photograph.6. Wheat Sheaf DiademWheat Sheaf Diadem created for Empress Maria Feodorovna and Maria Feodorovna with the future Nicholas II. Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines/Virginia Museum of Fine ArtsThe Wheat Sheaf Diadem is one of the Romanovs most fabulous missing treasures. Created for the last tsars mother, this stunning headpiece featured six glittering gold wheat ears intertwined with delicate platinum stalks of flax, that inclined toward the tiaras front. The diadem symbolized the sun rising over Russian fields of grain.This masterful tiara, encrusted with chunks of diamonds and a giant 32.52-carat, colorless leuco sapphire at the center to represent the sun, disappeared after the 1927 Christies auction.In a bitter historical irony, the sale of this item came just five years after Communisms mass famine that killed an estimated five million people and three years before collectivization and its associated Holodomor famine, which left around 3.9 million people dead.Experts have speculated that a buyer might have dismantled the Wheat Sheaf tiara or that it may currently sit in the private collection of old money collectors in either Switzerland or Prague.In 1980, a Soviet jeweler replicated the lost tiara with a mix of gold, diamonds, and platinum to represent the countrys agricultural wealth. Today, this recreation sits on display in the Kremlins Diamond Fund in Moscow.7. Alexander III Commemorative EggAlexander III Commemorative Egg photographed pre-1917 and Portrait of Alexander III by an unknown painter, second half of the 19th century. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Russian Virtual MuseumAnother item that vanished without a trace during or after the Russian Revolution is one of 51 Easter Faberg eggs crafted by the Romanovs court jeweler.Commissioned by Nicholas II for his mother, the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna in 1909, this imperial Easter egg consisted of a matte white enamel egg decorated with gold bands, two brilliant diamonds, and 3,767 rose-cut diamonds. Inside the egg, the surprise consisted of a miniature gold bust depicting Tsar Alexander III mounted on a lapis lazuli pedestal studded with rose-cut diamonds.Last seen in July 1917 at the Gatchina Palace before the Bolsheviks seized power, this lost egg only exists in a single photograph.8. Imperial GoldRussian rubles. Source: PixabayFor over 100 years, the question of Russias lost imperial gold hoard has intrigued generations of treasure seekers. Now, the answer to the mystery might be found at the bottom of the deepest freshwater lake in the world.During the summer of 1918, a bitter civil war raged between Red and White forces in Siberia. In May, the Czechoslovak Legion revolted against the Bolsheviks and fought to break out of the Russian East via the Trans-Siberian Railway. This event triggered the rise of anti-Soviet governments and the presence of Allied troops on Siberian soil.In Omsk, an anti-Soviet government rose, led by Admiral Alexander Kolchak, who took the title of Supreme Ruler of Russia. Meanwhile, advancing Bolshevik forces had their eyes on the stores of imperial gold bullion, valued at approximately 410 million rubles, stored in the vaults of the Kazan Bank. When Leon Trotsky and the Red Army pushed the Whites back beyond Kazan in 1919, the Soviets marched up the bank steps to seize the gold. To their surprise, the vaults stood empty. The Bolsheviks discovered that Kolchak had evacuated the gold and shipped it aboard the Czech Legions armored train to Siberia where the revolutionary regime did not yet have a foothold. The Reds boarded their own armored train to chase down the treasure.Czech Legion armored train in Siberia. Source: Radio Free EuropeIn Irkutsk, 40,000 members of the Czech Legion, hired by Imperial Russia to fight on the Allied side in the First World War and stranded in Siberia when the Bolsheviks cut off escape routes to the West, waited for a chance to obtain safe passage to return home. Disillusioned with Kolchak authoritarian ways and resentful at their unsuccessful power struggle to control the gold reserves, the Legion cut a deal with the Bolsheviks.In return for safe passage out of Siberia, the Legion withdrew their support for Admiral Kolchak and the gold reserves and surrendered most of their weapons. They handed them over to the Red Political Center. As a result, the Bolsheviks promised to allow the Czech Legion to set sail from the port at Vladivostok. The Bolsheviks seized the gold and signed a truce that enabled the Czechs to continue their journey to Russias Far East. A Soviet firing squad executed Kolchak and pushed his body into a hole cut into the ice on the Angara River on February 7, 1920. After this, the Red Army consolidated its control over Siberia.While Kolchaks story ended in Irkutsk, the story of the imperial treasure continued. When the Bolsheviks went to load their train with 235 million rubles worth of bullion to ship back to Kazan, they discovered that almost half of the gold had disappeared.Lake Baikal in winter. Source: PixabaySome researchers suspect that either the Whites or the Czechs tried to smuggle up to 200 tons of gold on a train traversing the Trans-Siberian Railway across the rocky Sayan Mountains to Japan. The overloaded cars may have slipped and rolled down the rocky slopes and disappeared into Lake Baikals deep water. According to KGB sources, the Soviets discovered 26 boxes of tsarist gold hidden in an underground stash site three miles from the railways Tayga station.During the 1930s and early 1940s, the search for the rest of the imperial gold continued. Stalin even initiated a major treasure-hunting operation to retrieve the missing gold estimated at 50 billion today. While the operation managed to recover one gold stash in 1933, they failed to uncover the rest of the hoard. In 2010, Russian Mir-2 mini-submarines trawling the lakes depths uncovered fragments of a broken railway line, civil-war-period ammunition boxes, and the presence of metallic objects lying on the bottom of the lake.Without further exploration, the legend of what may have happened to the treasure trove of Tsarist gold will continue to intrigue generations of adventure seekers and history buffs.

Save some money while exploring fascinating tourist spots off the beaten path when you head to Baltic states such as Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Safer, less crowded, and more affordable than many other European destinations, cities like Tallinn, Vilnius, and Riga are home to many magnificent castles and manors. From medieval ruins and fairytale palaces to towering turrets straight out of a Harry Potter movie, here are 10 Baltic castles to add to your bucket list.1. Trakai Island CastleTrakai Island Castle in Lithuania by Augustus Didzgalvis, 2021. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe first destination on our list is a spectacular, 14th-century red-brick castle topped with tower turrets. Trakai Castle is a captivating example of a Baltic medieval fortress situated on an island in the middle of Lithuanias Lake Galv.Due to its strategic location, this well-preserved castle witnessed the rise and fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795), which controlled a large area of territory from the Baltic to the Black Sea.Trakai Castles construction began under Grand Duke Kstutis during the fourteenth century. His son, Vytautas the Great, moved the state treasury to the island in 1409. During his rule, Vytautas turned the castle into a cultural center and masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Both sophisticated and formidable, Trakai Island Castle has had many functions over the course of its history. It has acted as a royal residence for the Lithuanian grand dukes, a center for political intrigue, a defensible bastion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and a symbol of the nations power.Today, visitors can walk around the castle and historical museum, which tells the rich history of Lithuania and offers glimpses into the grand dukes private lives. During the year, you can also attend cultural events such as historical evenings, ancient warfare demonstrations, and music festivals. Every August, Trakai Castle comes alive with arts and crafts days. Watch jewelry makers, potters, ironworkers, medieval knights, and jesters, or step into a bustling tavern which will transport you straight to the Middle Ages.2. Edole Bishops CastleEdole Bishops Castle by Simka, 2012. Source: Wikimedia CommonsBuilt in the mid-13th century, this convent-style Latvian castle brims with ghostly legends, stories of dwarf weddings, and bloodstains that keep reappearing in the spooky Red Room after Johann Behr stabbed his brother and love rival Friedrich to death.The exact date of the Edole Bishops Castle construction is unknown. In 1253, the bishopric of Courland owned the area where the castle later stood. By 1559, Frederick II, the king of Denmark, bought the Bishop of Edoles lands for his brother, Magnus, who became the new prince-bishop of Courland. This act sparked a fight between the Danish Crown and the previous bishops nephew, who won a hereditary right to the estate.The aristocratic Behr family owned the castle and added Neo-Gothic turrets between the 16th and 20th centuries. In 1583, the first castle fire broke out during a fight between the Danes and the Poles. More fires ravaged the castle during the Polish-Swedish wars (1617-1622). Over time, the restored castle lost its medieval look and transformed into a Neo-Gothic style. During the 1905 Revolution, tragedy struck again when revolutionaries burned down the castle. The family rebuilt the castle within two years.Despite these incidents, visitors can still spot the darker medieval walls, the lighter shade of the 16th-century walls, and the pale color of the modern faade.Today, the castle, including its grand halls, wine cellar, cultural center, courtyard, and the original corner defense tower, is open to the public. Tourists can wander the park, explore the Alley of Love, or discover the elf oak tree. You can also visit the medieval gatehouse or take in the view from the bridge and moat that once guarded the castle from invaders.3. Rundle PalaceRundle Palace by Erik Karits, 2021. Source: PexelsWhen you tour Latvia, enjoy fairytale winters or magical Baltic summers. Whatever season you plan your trip, Rundle Palace is one castle you wont want to miss. Designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the same architect who would later build the Winter Palace in St Petersburg for Empress Elizabeth of Russia, Rundle Palace represents the crown jewel of Latvia.Built in the 1730s for Duke Ernst Johann von Biron, the lover of Empress Anna of Russia, Rundle Palace boasts a luxurious late Baroque style. The bright yellow and white palace offers visitors a chance to explore the Golden Hall, decorated with gold, frescos, and marble, which served as the dukes throne room, the Grand Gallery, which once held sumptuous banquets, and the White Hall, decorated with stunning stucco pastoral scenes. In the West Wing, wander through the dukes private chambers, parlors, and exhibition halls packed with fine arts and cultural displays.The palace hosts a program of classical concerts and the annual International Early Music Festival, featuring Baroque music from the likes of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, and Monteverdi. In the French-style park, a formal garden showcases blooming roses, the Green Theater, parterre terraces worthy of Versailles, and a central fountain that offers magnificent opportunities to take photographs.4. Gediminas Castle TowerGediminas Castle Tower in Vilnius by Augustus Didzgalvis, 2021. Source: Wikimedia CommonsIf youre looking for captivating historical sites in Lithuanias capital city, its hard to miss Vilnius Castle. The imposing Gediminas Tower sits atop a strategic hill overlooking the Neris River in the city center. This visual piece of history has long symbolized the Lithuanian state.Its story starts in the early fourteenth century, when Grand Duke Gediminas (c. 1274-1341) arrived in the nearby forest for a royal hunt. According to legend, the grand duke dreamed he saw an Iron Wolf howling atop a hill. This single wolf sounded as loud as a thousand wolves. A Baltic shaman interpreted the dream as a prophecy that Gediminas would build a strong city that would make its voice heard worldwide. At the time, the grand duke kept his capital on Trakai Island, which he also discovered on a hunting trip.Based on the dream, the grand duke, who founded the Gediminas dynasty, built the first wooden citadel. The area became the Grand Duchy of Lithuanias capital city. In 1409, his grandson, Grand Duke Vytautas, strengthened the fort by completing it as the citys first brick castle.The stronghold became a formidable fortress designed to guard the city from invaders. It has survived many wars, including the Teutonic Crusades, the Battle of Vilnius in 1655 during the Russo-Polish War (1654-1667), and bombing from the Second World War.Tourists can visit this iconic tower, take in its epic views, and learn more about the countrys fascinating heritage through historical artifacts and cultural exhibits that tell the story of Lithuanias past and present. You can also visit the Palace of the Lithuanian Grand Dukes at the foot of the hill near Vilnius Cathedral.5. Kaunas CastleKaunas Castle by Mimzy, 2017. Source: PixabayKaunas Castle is another Lithuanian castle with major historical significance. Built to defend against the onslaught of the Teutonic Knights Northern Crusades, which sought to Christianize the Baltic region, it is the oldest stone castle in Lithuania.With double defensive walls, a round tower, and a fascinating collection of medieval artifacts, this castle is situated on the banks of the Nemanas River in Kaunas, Lithuanias second city and former capital. The castle rose during the 14th century under Grand Duke Gediminas.Kaunas Castle was a major point of contention between the Lithuanians and the Teutonic Knights and changed hands on several occasions. After the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, in which Grand Duke Vytautas defeated the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order and strengthened the Polish-Lithuanian Union, the castle lost its military significance but continued to fulfill administrative and residential functions.Today, visitors can uncover the castles history, legends, and ghost stories via interactive museum exhibits.6. Taagepera CastleTaagepera Castle by Aleksandr Kaasik, 2011. Source: Wikimedia CommonsNot all castles in the Baltic date from the medieval period. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Baltic barons funded some of the most spectacular castles in Estonia. Built between 1907 and 1912 as a home for Baron Hugo von Stryk, the stunning Art Nouveau castle at Taagepera in southern Estonia now houses the 1930s-style Wagenkll Hotel. Worthy of a Hercule Poirot novel setting, the hotel connects to the castle via an underground tunnel.The castle boasts 30 rooms, a tower, a luxury spa, restaurant, and offers various recreational and sporting activities. The castles grounds include a garden filled with thousands of flowers, sculptures, and a magic forest. The castle hosts a range of activities throughout the year, and in the summer of 2024 the castles grounds hosted an Alice in Wonderland theme park with art installations inspired by Lewis Carolls novel. Taagepera Castle is the perfect getaway for a luxurious, stress-free holiday in a historic setting.7. Csis CastleCsis Castle by Olga Fil, 2021. Source: PixabayCsis Castle is one of the most impressive castle ruins in Latvia. Surrounded by the Gauja National Park, this medieval fortress emerged during the 13th-century Livonian Crusades. Originally a wooden hill fort constructed by the Baltic Vends tribe, Csis Castle (known as Wenden in German) later became the headquarters for the Masters of the Livonian Order.Due to its strategic location, Csis Castle became a center of wealth and power, serving as a vibrant trading center and a member of the Hanseatic League. In 1577, the castle also witnessed a significant battle when Ivan the Terrible invaded Livonia and laid siege to the fortress. The last defenders blew themselves up rather than surrender and let the Russians take them alive. In 1578, Tsar Ivans troops lost control of the castle during the Battle of Wenden when attacked by joint German, Polish, and Swedish forces. This defeat became a turning point in the Livonian War. The battle marked the end of Ivans Kingdom of Livonia and strengthened the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.Tourists who visit Csis Castle receive a small lantern with their admission ticket. This creates a unique atmosphere for visitors while enabling them to navigate the narrow and dark staircase that leads up the circular Western tower. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the moat, medieval kitchen garden, castle park, and nearby forest from the vast, vaulted room that once contained the Master of the Livonian Orders chamber.During summer weekends, the castle courtyard is filled with artisans in medieval clothing demonstrating traditional crafts such as basket weaving. Stop by the games master to play authentic period games or even slip into a suit of medieval armor to complete your experience.8. Medininkai CastleMedininkai Castle by Aidus U., 2015. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLooking for something fun to do around Vilnius? Medininkai Castle sits 20 miles to the west of the Lithuanian capital near the highest peaks in Lithuania, known as the Auktojas and Juozapin Hills.Built in the fourteenth century during Gediminas reign, the castle rose next to one of Lithuanias oldest and most significant trade routes. This castle witnessed many wars and retains its original medieval charm. From the outside, it might appear like a simple castle wall with four towers and defense ditches, but it offers magnificent views from the castle keep and observation deck.You can choose a tour or explore the ruins at your leisure. Each floor offers a special exhibit, including an art display, a room packed with medieval armor and weapons, a hunting trophy exhibit, archaeological discoveries, and panoramic views of the Medininkai Highlands at the top.Each year, during the last weekend in September, the castle hosts the Medininkai Castle Games. During this event, medieval knights, artists, and craftspeople bring the castle to life. Visitors can learn about important historical figures, discover castle legends, try their hand at firing pottery in a kiln, or take a shot at archery. Wander among living history artisans or watch medieval combat and dance competitions accompanied by the whiff of woodsmoke and the bustle of an authentic medieval village.9. Kuressaare Episcopal CastleKuressaare Castle in winter by Stefan Hiienurm, 2019. Source: Wikimedia CommonsLocated on the island of Saaremaa, this 14th-century castle is one of the most magnificent fortresses in Estonia and the only intact medieval castle on the island.Kuressaare Castle sits on an artificial island, protected by a moat, facing the Baltic Sea. The castle was damaged in the Great Northern War (1700-1721) during Peter the Greats reign. Fought between Sweden and a Russian-led coalition, the conflict aimed to reduce the Swedish Empires power in northeastern Europe.Today, visitors can explore a network of halls, passageways, and staircases that look straight out of Game of Thrones. The castle has a long and terrible history. Near the bishops chamber, a room looks down on the castle dungeon, where, according to legend, the bishop threw prisoners to hungry lions. The castle once reportedly contained the remains of a 16th-century knight walled-up alive in the basement by the Catholic Bishop of selWiek due to a forbidden love affair. Today, the cell is known as the cellar of the immured knight. A memorial to the 300 people executed by the Nazis during their occupation of the island also stands outside the castle wall.During the summer, you can stroll through the shady park, listen to concerts in the castle courtyard, enjoy a treasure hunt, try your aim at archery, rent a boat or bike for the day, and finish up at the 19-century Spa Hall turned into a restaurant.Other local attractions include a nearby picturesque town with an art gallery, local handcraft boutiques, a museum, coffee shops, hiking trails, water skiing, a medieval church, a luxury spa, and even a meteorite site.10. Cesvaine CastleCesvaine Castle by Zairon, 2014. Source: Wikimedia CommonsWhether you want to take a break from busy Riga or love spooky castles, dont miss Latvias Cesvaine Castle.Built in 1896 by German Baron Adolf Gerhard von Wulf, this enchanting castle offers a dramatic blend of Tudor, Neo-Renaissance, Romanesque, and Gothic styles. First designed as a hunting castle, it later served as a private school.With a faade like a real, live Hogwarts, Cesvaine Castle wont disappoint. You will find historic fireplaces, Gothic towers, secret chambers, and even a mysterious room full of doors that you can open one by one. In 2019, this atmospheric castle also served as the setting for the Latvian fantasy horror thriller The Sonata.The castle park contains over 70 species of trees and shrubs which create a gorgeous landscape design. Visitors can wander through the gardens, visit the souvenir shop, or rent a boat to paddle across the scenic castle lake. When hunger hits, stop by the Cesvaine Castle Restaurant for a tasty fusion of European, Latvian, Mediterranean, and Georgian cuisine prepared by on-site chefs from locally sourced food. Cesvaine Castle is the perfect trip for anyone who enjoys history, food, and learning more about Baltic culture.