# Kirumpää Castle

- **Country:** Estonia
- **Coordinates:** 57.862283, 26.991543
- **Location Text:** Kirumpää

Kirumpää is a small village located in Võru Parish within Võru County, situated in the southeastern region of Estonia. The site is historically renowned for the Kirumpää Castle ruins, which were strategically constructed on a mound overlooking the Võhandu River to control a vital roadway. Although the exact construction date is not recorded, the fortress was established sometime between the late 13th and early 14th centuries. It first appeared in written historical records in 1322, when it was reportedly pillaged by Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. The original structure likely began as a simple fortified manor house before undergoing significant expansion over the following centuries.

By approximately 1500, the castle had evolved into a more complex architectural site featuring a chapel, a distinctive round tower, and a forecourt. Its history reflects the turbulent nature of the Baltic region, as it sustained damage from Russian troops during the early years of the Livonian War. Despite this destruction, records indicate the facility was still in use as late as 1627. However, by the end of the 17th century, the stronghold fell into disrepair and was subsequently dismantled, serving as a convenient quarry for builders in the nearby town of Võru. Today, only a few visible ruins remain at the location, marking the spot where the once-significant defensive structure stood.

Beyond its military past, Kirumpää holds cultural significance as the birthplace of Kaljo Raag, a notable heavyweight weightlifter who lived from 1892 to 1967. While the village itself is small, the legacy of the castle remains an important part of local heritage and Estonian cultural tourism. The site offers a glimpse into the medieval defensive strategies of the region and the eventual decline of such fortifications during periods of prolonged conflict and shifting political power. Visitors can view the remaining fragments of the walls and explore the historical landscape that once housed a key garrison protecting the southern borders of historic Livonia.

![Photo of Kirumpää Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Kirump%C3%A4%C3%A4_piiskopilinnus_1.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirumpää#Kirump.C3.A4.C3.A4_castle_ruins (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)