Viljandi Order Castle Visitor Environment
2023 / In planning process/ I prize / 65 000 m2
Category:Exhibition, Public, Infrastructure
Authors: Gert Guriev, Siim Tiisvelt, Ilmar Valdur, Helin Kuldkepp
Project team: Gert Guriev, Ilmar Valdur, Sofya Smirnova
Landscape architecture: Tajuruum landscape architects
Viljandi Order Castle: A Subtle yet Decisive Vision in its Spatial Context
The current spatial context of Viljandi Order Castle calls for a delicate yet firm approach. Its connection with the city has weakened, and while wandering through Viljandi, one does not intuitively sense the location or direction of the castle. To truly reconnect with it, the castle must be perceived as an integral part of the city, not as a distant historical relic.
Reintegrating Viljandi Order Castle with the city is a crucial step in strengthening the bond between the castle and the old town, while also emphasizing the historical and cultural significance of Estonia’s most grandiose medieval fortress. One key element in this process is the enhancement and conceptual extension of Lossi Street, which holds immense potential to create an inviting environment that encourages visitors to explore and immerse themselves in the castle’s allure.
From a distance, the surrounding greenery hints at the castle’s presence, inviting curiosity. As one walks along Lossi Street, various attractions of distinct character appear along the way, encouraging people to pause, sit, and appreciate their surroundings. Lossi Street thus serves as a symbolic bridge between past and present, guiding visitors seamlessly from the old town to the historic ruins.
The ruins must remain the focal point of Viljandi Order Castle. They carry the weight of history, and all new interventions should support rather than overshadow them. Therefore, the design approach favors orthogonal and clearly distinguishable forms that create a contrast with the organic and dignified nature of the ruins.
As visitors move from the old town along Lossi Street towards the castle, they encounter the historic hills—First Kirsimägi, Second Kirsimägi, and Kaevumägi—each with its own distinct character and unique vistas. These landscapes are subtly enhanced to highlight their individual essence, ensuring that new additions complement rather than dominate the existing environment.
The interventions are minimal yet deliberate, with a strong focus on user experience and the unveiling of previously inaccessible views. The result is a harmonious reintegration of Viljandi Order Castle and the city, restoring their unity.
The newly introduced bridges of Viljandi Order Castle act as symbolic links, positioned at the locations of historic crossings. The Kirsimägi Bridge connects First and Second Kirsimägi, fostering a dialogue between the bridge itself and the ruins’ pathway on Second Kirsimägi. Through these thoughtful connections, history and modernity converge, reinforcing the castle’s role as a living part of Viljandi’s urban fabric.
