Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Piiskopilinnus

Haapsalu dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years until the seat was moved to the island of Saaremaa. The impressive Bishop's Castle, situated on an artificial hill, surrounded by an 803 m long wall and preserved as a ruin, is still a reminder of this time. The town lost its importance, but at the beginning of the 19th century the healing properties of Haapsalu's mud were discovered and the first sanatorium was founded in 1825. Haapsalu developed into a fashionable health resort. Even the Russian tsar's family Romanov appreciated the spa. In 1228, shortly after the Christianisation of Estonia and Livonia, the bishopric of Ösel-Wiek got established. In 1234, William of Modena, as papal legate, defined its boundaries. The first residence of the diocese was in the castle of Lihula until 1251. After disputes with the Livonian Order, the bishop's residence moved to Pärnu, but it was burnt down there by the Lithuanians. So Haapsalu was chosen as the new centre of the diocese. The first phase of the construction of the castle was completed around 1300. In the 14th century, two square towers were added to the north side of the castle. In the 15th century, a cloister was built in the inner courtyard. At the end of the 15th century, the walls were further strengthened. The largest dimensions of the castle were more than three hectares. During the Livonian War (1558-1583) the castle was further strengthened, but suffered greatly from the attacks. Several walls and the outer defences were partly destroyed. At the end of the war, the area came under Swedish rule. When Estonia fell to Russia de facto in 1710 the walls of the castle were partially demolished.

Haapsalu dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years until the seat was moved to the island of Saaremaa. The impressive Bishop's Castle, situated on an artificial hill, surrounded by an 803 m long wall and preserved as a ruin, is still a reminder of this time. The town lost its importance, but at the beginning of the 19th century the healing properties of Haapsalu's mud were discovered and the first sanatorium was founded in 1825. Haapsalu developed into a fashionable health resort. Even the Russian tsar's family Romanov appreciated the spa. In 1228, shortly after the Christianisation of Estonia and Livonia, the bishopric of Ösel-Wiek got established. In 1234, William of Modena, as papal legate, defined its boundaries. The first residence of the diocese was in the castle of Lihula until 1251. After disputes with the Livonian Order, the bishop's residence moved to Pärnu, but it was burnt down there by the Lithuanians. So Haapsalu was chosen as the new centre of the diocese. The first phase of the construction of the castle was completed around 1300. In the 14th century, two square towers were added to the north side of the castle. In the 15th century, a cloister was built in the inner courtyard. At the end of the 15th century, the walls were further strengthened. The largest dimensions of the castle were more than three hectares. During the Livonian War (1558-1583) the castle was further strengthened, but suffered greatly from the attacks. Several walls and the outer defences were partly destroyed. At the end of the war, the area came under Swedish rule. When Estonia fell to Russia de facto in 1710 the walls of the castle were partially demolished.

Haapsalu dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years until the seat was moved to the island of Saaremaa. The impressive Bishop's Castle, situated on an artificial hill, surrounded by an 803 m long wall and preserved as a ruin, is still a reminder of this time. The town lost its importance, but at the beginning of the 19th century the healing properties of Haapsalu's mud were discovered and the first sanatorium was founded in 1825. Haapsalu developed into a fashionable health resort. Even the Russian tsar's family Romanov appreciated the spa. In 1228, shortly after the Christianisation of Estonia and Livonia, the bishopric of Ösel-Wiek got established. In 1234, William of Modena, as papal legate, defined its boundaries. The first residence of the diocese was in the castle of Lihula until 1251. After disputes with the Livonian Order, the bishop's residence moved to Pärnu, but it was burnt down there by the Lithuanians. So Haapsalu was chosen as the new centre of the diocese. The first phase of the construction of the castle was completed around 1300. In the 14th century, two square towers were added to the north side of the castle. In the 15th century, a cloister was built in the inner courtyard. At the end of the 15th century, the walls were further strengthened. The largest dimensions of the castle were more than three hectares. The Toomkirik (Haapsalu Cathedral) is, with a floor area of 425 m², one of the largest single-nave churches in the Baltic States. When the church was built, the design regulations of the Cistercian Order were followed, as the first bishop Gottfried was abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Dünamünde before he became bishop here. After Estonia became part of the Lutheran Swedish kingdom, the cathedral became a church with a Lutheran congregation. In 1625, the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf sold the town of Haapsalu, the castle and the nearby land property. In 1688 the churchßs roof was destroyed by fire. The congregation could not afford the renovation and moved to the town church. In 1886–1889, the church was renovated and rebuilt. The ruined Romanesque-style portal was replaced by the pseudo-Gothic "stepped portal". The Soviet occupation in 1940 led to the closing of the church. The church was empty for years; for some time it was used for storing grain.

Haapsalu dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years until the seat was moved to the island of Saaremaa. The impressive Bishop's Castle, situated on an artificial hill, surrounded by an 803 m long wall and preserved as a ruin, is still a reminder of this time. The town lost its importance, but at the beginning of the 19th century the healing properties of Haapsalu's mud were discovered and the first sanatorium was founded in 1825. Haapsalu developed into a fashionable health resort. Even the Russian tsar's family Romanov appreciated the spa. In 1228, shortly after the Christianisation of Estonia and Livonia, the bishopric of Ösel-Wiek got established. In 1234, William of Modena, as papal legate, defined its boundaries. The first residence of the diocese was in the castle of Lihula until 1251. After disputes with the Livonian Order, the bishop's residence moved to Pärnu, but it was burnt down there by the Lithuanians. So Haapsalu was chosen as the new centre of the diocese. The first phase of the construction of the castle was completed around 1300. In the 14th century, two square towers were added to the north side of the castle. In the 15th century, a cloister was built in the inner courtyard. At the end of the 15th century, the walls were further strengthened. The largest dimensions of the castle were more than three hectares. The Toomkirik (Haapsalu Cathedral) is, with a floor area of 425 m², one of the largest single-nave churches in the Baltic States. When the church was built, the design regulations of the Cistercian Order were followed, as the first bishop Gottfried was abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Dünamünde before he became bishop here. After Estonia became part of the Lutheran Swedish kingdom, the cathedral became a church with a Lutheran congregation. In 1625, the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf sold the town of Haapsalu, the castle and the nearby land property. In 1688 the churchßs roof was destroyed by fire. The congregation could not afford the renovation and moved to the town church. In 1886–1889, the church was renovated and rebuilt. The ruined Romanesque-style portal was replaced by the pseudo-Gothic "stepped portal". The Soviet occupation in 1940 led to the closing of the church. The church was empty for years; for some time it was used for storing grain.

Haapsalu dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years until the seat was moved to the island of Saaremaa. The impressive Bishop's Castle, situated on an artificial hill, surrounded by an 803 m long wall and preserved as a ruin, is still a reminder of this time. The town lost its importance, but at the beginning of the 19th century the healing properties of Haapsalu's mud were discovered and the first sanatorium was founded in 1825. Haapsalu developed into a fashionable health resort. Even the Russian tsar's family Romanov appreciated the spa. In 1228, shortly after the Christianisation of Estonia and Livonia, the bishopric of Ösel-Wiek got established. In 1234, William of Modena, as papal legate, defined its boundaries. The first residence of the diocese was in the castle of Lihula until 1251. After disputes with the Livonian Order, the bishop's residence moved to Pärnu, but it was burnt down there by the Lithuanians. So Haapsalu was chosen as the new centre of the diocese. The first phase of the construction of the castle was completed around 1300. In the 14th century, two square towers were added to the north side of the castle. In the 15th century, a cloister was built in the inner courtyard. At the end of the 15th century, the walls were further strengthened. The largest dimensions of the castle were more than three hectares. During the Livonian War (1558-1583) the castle was further strengthened, but suffered greatly from the attacks. Several walls and the outer defences were partly destroyed. At the end of the war, the area came under Swedish rule. When Estonia fell to Russia de facto in 1710 the walls of the castle were partially demolished. The Haapsalu Cathedral can be seen on the left. With a floor area of 425 m², the cathedral is one of the largest single-nave churches in the Baltic States. When the church was built, the design regulations of the Cistercian Order were followed, as the first bishop Gottfried was abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Dünamünde before he became bishop here.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum.

The island of Saaremaa was conquered in 1227 by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. It fell under the rule of the Teutonic Order a short time later, after the latter had united with the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. The present town formed around a bishop's castle. The settlement itself has been documented since 1424. The town grew and flourished around the fortress. It became the see of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek. Johann von Münchhausen, bishop since 1542, converted to Protestantism. With the advance of the troops of Tsar Ivan IV of Russia in the course of the Livonian War, he sold his lands to King Frederick II of Denmark in 1559 and returned to Germany. Frederick sent his brother Magnus to Kuressaare where he was elected bishop the following year. The bishopric was finally secularised in 1572 and Kuressaare fell to the Danish Crown. In 1645, it passed to Swedish control, but the city was burnt to the ground by Russian troops in 1710 during the Great Northern War and was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1721. The earliest mention of the castle dates from the 1380s when the Teutonic Order began its construction for the bishops of Ösel-Wieck (now Saare-Lääne). As the inhabitants of Saaremaa fiercely resisted efforts to Christianise them, the castle was undoubtedly built as part of the Crusaders' efforts to control the island. It was an episcopal fortress from the beginning and remained one of the most important castles of the bishopric until its dissolution during the Livonian War. In 1559, Denmark-Norway seized control of Saaremaa and the castle. As a result, the fortifications were modernised. In 1645 Saaremaa passed into Swedish hands. The Swedes continued to modernise the fortress until 1706. After the Great Northern War, Saaremaa and Kuressaare Castle became part of the Russian Empire. In the early 20th century the castle was restored. In 1941, the castle was used as a fortress by the Soviet occupation forces, who executed 90 civilians in the castle courtyard. In the subsequent Nazi invasion and occupation, over 300 people were killed on the castle grounds. Today the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum. This is the model showing the massive structure.