Modern Estonia

Helme Order Castle (Helme Ordulinnus in Estonian) lies near Tõrva, in Valgamaa, in the south-east of Estonia. The exact date on which it was founded is unknown, but it is generally believed to have been in the early fourteenth century. At this time, this part of Estonia was under the control of the Livonian Knights, a German crusading order which had played a key part in the recent conquest of the Baltic lands, ostensibly for reasons of spreading Christianity, but also to grab land and make some fortunes. Additional construction work took place over the next century or two, possibly in the aftermath of the Battle of Tannenberg in 1410. The castle was blown up by the Swedes in the early seventeenth century as part of their campaign to take control of Livonia and Estonia.

All photos on this page contributed by E Täte.

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