Among the
most spectacular architectural sights in Viljandi today are the ruins of a medieval Order
castle. After having conquered ancient Sakala in a long and weary battle, the Order of the
Brethren of the Sword (from 1237 onwards - the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Order)
started to rebuild the ancient wooden stronghold of Viljandi with stonework. The
stronghold, built and modernised during two hundred years, became gradually the residence
of a politically and economically powerful commander (komtuur). Viljandi also became the
centre of the commandery which extended to as far as Lake Peipsi.
The income of the masters in Viljandi equalled to that of the Livonian Land Master
himself. The political importance is proved by the fact that the komtuur of Viljandi
belonged together with the those of Goldingen (Kuldiga), Marienburg (Aluksne) and Tallinn
and the bailiff of Paide to the closest retinue of the land master. As many as seven
komtuurs managed to attain the high position of a master.
The fortifications of Viljandi corresponded to its position of the central base of the
Livonian Order. During late Middle Ages the stronghold was a powerful fortification system
with triple outwork. The strong walls of the hanseatic town on the northern side of the
stronghold offered the fourth defence zone together. The central building of the
fortification on three successive hills was the castle, a convent building typical to the
Order. The castle was the second largest in Old Livonia after Riga.
Today there is little evidence of the onetime splendour - only some fragments of the wall
and foundation. The capitals and other ashlars excavated in 1878-1879 give evidence of the
magnificent interior. The capitals dating back to the transitional period from Romanesque
style to Gothic, made by (an) unknown master(s), are now stored in the museum of Viljandi.
The Order Castle of Viljandi experienced its first battle in 1481, when the joint army of
Moscow, Novgorod and Pskov, sent by czar Ivan III, managed to conquer the town but could
not capture the stronghold. During the Livonian war and the wars between Poland and Sweden
shortly afterwards, the stronghold survived several bombings and stood many sieges, and
passed from hands to hands. When Viljandi became subordinate to the Swedes at the
beginning of the 17th century the stronghold was devastated. The King of Sweden donated it
into private property and gradually the economically thinking citizens carried away the
ruins as valuable building material.
At the end of the 19th century the Baltic Germans started to get interested in the
historical values of Livonia. On the initiative of Theodor Schiemann, a history teacher
from Viljandi and with the financial means from Friedrich von Ditmar, the baron of Uue-Vändra,
archaeological excavations were carried out. Strong foundations and numerous
constructional fragments were found under a 9-metre layer of debris. The castle well was
also cleaned to the depth of 26 metres. The hills were put in order and today they are the
traditional recreational area of the citizens.