# Kiiu Castle

- **Country:** Estonia
- **Coordinates:** 59.447755, 25.386379
- **Location Text:** Kiiu

Kiiu Castle, more accurately known as the Kiiu Tower, is a medieval defensive structure located in the small borough of Kiiu within Kuusalu Parish, Harju County, in northern Estonia. Constructed around 1520 by the local manor lord Fabian von Tiesenhausen, this conical, four-storey tower house represents a specific type of Baltic fortification often referred to as a vassal castle. Unlike major military strongholds, these towers were designed for localized defense during times of unrest rather than large-scale warfare. The architecture features thick walls housing a spiral staircase and eleven different shapes of embrasures for defensive purposes. Uniquely, the tower includes a reconstructed hoarding surrounding the third storey, a feature that stands as the only one of its kind in Estonia.

Historically, the tower was originally enclosed by a limestone wall and outbuildings that formed a courtyard, with the second storey serving as the primary living quarter equipped with a bed alcove, fireplace, and latrine. The structure sustained damage during the Livonian War in the 16th century and subsequently served as an auxiliary outbuilding for the adjacent manor house for centuries. Its historical significance was recognized in the modern era when it underwent a comprehensive restoration in 1973 under the guidance of the renowned art historian Villem Raam. This preservation effort ensured the survival of the tower as a key example of Estonian medieval military architecture.

Today, the Kiiu Tower stands as a restored cultural landmark and a testament to the region's feudal past. While the surrounding borough of Kiiu continues to function as a small residential community, the tower itself remains a focal point for heritage tourism and historical study. Its distinct conical shape and unique defensive elements distinguish it from other Estonian castles, such as Vao or Purtse. The site offers visitors a glimpse into 16th-century life and defensive strategies, maintaining its status as a protected monument that bridges the gap between Estonia's turbulent history and its contemporary cultural identity.

![Photo of Kiiu Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Torre%C3%B3n_Kiiu%2C_Parque_Nacional_Lahemaa%2C_Estonia%2C_2012-08-12%2C_DD_21.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiiu (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)