Vastseliina Bishop’s Castle

Museum address:

Piiri Tavern, Vana-Vastseliina, 65254 Võru county

Entrance fee 1 EURO

Museum open during operating hours 17:00 - 21:00

Program

This year’s Museum Night theme “There are voices in the night!” invites you to the Vastseliina Bishop’s Castle to listen – to stories from the manor’s time and to see a mysterious story from the past.

On 16 May, we will open the doors of the Experience Centre to travellers and the curious later than usual, at 12.00, and the Museum Night programme will begin as the evening approaches.

Museum Night programme in Vastseliina Bishop’s Castle:

at 17.00
Opening of the photo exhibition “PARUNI SALAHOBI” on the second floor of the Pemaja.
Exhibition of the day’s photographs of the Vastseliina manor lord Reinhold Karl von Liphart by Ago Ruus.

Reinhold Karl von Liphart (1864-1940) was the last mayor of the Vastseliina and Raad estates. The manor lord had no major interest in practical estate management, but he did have an interest in fine arts, and so he devoted more time to his art collection and to studying the work of medieval artists. Photography was one of his many hobbies.
The Baron’s photographs came to light thanks to Ojars Spārītis, Professor of Art History at the Latvian Academy of Arts, who, while working in the Baltic German archives at the University of Marburg in Germany, discovered Baron Reinhold Karl von Liphart’s personal photo album of nearly a couple of hundred photographs of Vastseliina Manor and its surroundings taken in the 20th century.
From the museum night, the Baron’s photographic heritage can be viewed on the second floor of the main building of the Vastseliina Bishop’s Castle.

at 18.00
summer play “The Secret Lark in Vastseliina” on the big screen

2024. In the summer of 2009, a summer play based on Erkki Koorti’s novel “The Eavesdropper in Vastseliina” – a medieval mystery based on real events – was staged in the authentic surroundings of Vastseliina Bishop’s Castle.
On the night of the museum, you can watch a video recording of the production, which takes us back to the beginning of the 14th century, when one summer day archers from Pskov arrived to attack the walls of the Vastseliina bishop’s castle. Markus, the protagonist, is brought to the fortress by a clear mission: the Pugola clan, who defended the Livonian border in south-eastern Estonia, has been betrayed and he must find the culprit. Whether the culprit will be found or not, and what kind of turmoil the young man’s ordeal will throw him into, and whether his senses may be confused by an unexpected love affair, is something you will have to see for yourself.

Writer – Erkki Koort
Director and Dramatic Designer – Tarmo Tagamets
Set and Costume Designer – Riina Vanhanen
Music by Early Music Ensemble – TRAKULA (Latvia)
Lighting Designer – Kristen Kalev Lina
Sound and Music Designer – Vootele Ruusmaa
Video Recording – Rain Traagel

Starring – Markus Truup, Sten Karpov, Silva Pijon, Agur Seim, Karel Käos, Helgur Rosenthal, Imre Õunapuu, Märten Matsu, Ane Purgas, Astrid Hallik, Iiri Saar, Jaanika Kozlova, Keiti Lii Sikk, Kristel Lempus, Ott Gustav Almann, Richard Rammul, Riina Adson, Siiri Hõimla, Silvi Jansons, Tanver Talvis, Tiiu Sillavee and Tuulike Mölder.

The project was part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 programme

Accessibility information:

In the evening, only by car. There is a paved road leading from the car park, be careful when crossing the road.
The 1st floor of the main house and the tavern are accessible (ramp), the 2nd floor is not accessible.
There is no access to the observation tower, the sanctuary and the manor park.

Important info

Hot drinks and snacks await travellers at the Linnuse tavern from 17.00.