New book on Kuldīga celebrates the Courland dukes' court splendor and lost castle

A new book titled "The Splendor of the Courland Dukes' Court and Kuldīga Castle" has been published in Kuldīga, based on a lecture by art historian Imants Lancmanis. The lecture was delivered on September 27, 2023, at the Kuldīga Art House, just days after the city's old town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The book preserves Lancmanis's distinctive narrative style and manner of expression. In the lecture, which lasted more than three hours, the scholar spoke about the grandeur of the Courland dukes' court, its influence on the region's culture, and research into the historic Kuldīga castle — its fate and possible future revival.

Two parts

The publication is divided into two parts. The first examines the Kettler family and what remains today of the once-powerful ruling dynasty — including remains, fragments of clothing, and other artifacts, since little survives of the many castles the dukes built. The second part covers the architecture, interior, and history of Kuldīga castle, comparing it with other castles of the era in Latvia and Europe.

The book includes extensive illustrative material, some of it previously unpublished. Lancmanis noted that lectures usually remain only in listeners' memories, but this time both the content and the speaker's language and enthusiasm were preserved in print. He added that his idea of Kuldīga as the "Courland Pompeii" is starting to come true, as the castle is gradually being uncovered.

The book's concept and design are by Katrīna Vasiļevska, and it was published by SIA "Lapu dizains." The narrative was recorded by Ieva Rupenheite, while Valdis Ābols prepared the English translation. It was printed in Jelgava. Thanks were extended to the Kuldīga Municipality Museum and the Rundāle Palace Museum. The book was produced with support from the Kurzeme Planning Region as part of the State Culture Capital Foundation's "Kurzeme Culture Program 2026."