Valjala Stronghold
{{Short description|Castle in Estonia}}
{{Infobox ancient site
|name = Valjala
|native_name =
|alternate_name =
|image = Valjala maalinn 2.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Remnants of Valjala Stronghold
|map_type = Estonia
|map_caption = Location of the site in Estonia
|map_size = 250px
|coordinates = {{coord|58|23|59|N|22|47|41|E|display=inline,title}}
|location = Saare County, Estonia
|region =
|type = Ringfort
|part_of =
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|material =
|built = 12th century
|abandoned = {{circa}} 13th century
|epochs =
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|event =
|excavations =
|archaeologists =
|condition = Ruins
|ownership =
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}}
The Valjala Stronghold ({{langx|la|Castrum Waldia}}, {{langx|et|Valjala Maalinn}}) was a major ringfort on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia. Established in the 12th century, at the time it was the most important Oeselian stronghold. Its surrender in 1227 finalized the crusader conquest of Estonia.
History
File:Valjala maalinn Kruse järgi.jpeg]]
The Valjala Stronghold was founded in the 12th century, and by the time of the crusades had become the main fortress of the island of Saaremaa.Valk 2014, p. 343 It was a ringfort with a courtyard area of {{convert|3600|m2|abbr=on}}, and the only stone castle on Saaremaa.Valk 2014, p. 355Tamm & Kaljundi 2016, p. 329 The nearby Lõve River was an actively used waterway for the Oeselians.Mägi 2004, p. 146
Henry of Livonia referred to the leaders of Valjala as nobiles, a term usually reserved for the Western European nobility.Tamm & Kaljundi 2016, p. 330 He also stressed the stronghold's importance, describing it as follows:
{{cquote|... fort, called Waldia, in the midst of Oesel. Waldia is the strongest city among all those of the Oeselians.|20px}}
In January 1227 the Livonian Brothers of the Sword organized a major invasion against Saaremaa, marching an army of 20,000 men over the frozen sea. The stronghold of Muhu was attacked first and completely destroyed. The crusader army then laid siege to Valjala, plundering the island in the process. The defenders of the Valjala Stronghold surrendered and accepted Christianity.Taylor 2014, p. 260Raukas et al. 2009, p. 75Tamm & Kaljundi 2016, p. 295 This surrender concluded the crusaders’ conquest of Estonia.Raukas et al. 2009, pp. 85–86 A mass baptism was organized and a stone chapel was built about {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} northwest from the stronghold, marking the starting point of the sacred architectural history in Estonia.
Excavation results, including finds of iron nails, indicate that the stronghold remained in use after the crusade. It was probably demolished, possibly after failed rebellions of 1236–1241 or 1260–1261.
Excavations
The stronghold ruins were first excavated in 1895 by Sergei Bogojavlenski and P. P. Stackelberg. Between 1962 and 1964 a team led by Aita Kustin conducted excavations, discovering multiple building foundations and stove floors.{{cite web|url=http://valjala.edu.ee/kodukoht/kultuur_paigad/maalinn/index.htm |title=Valjala maalinn |publisher=Valjala School |language=et |access-date=2018-12-20}} Archaeological finds from the stronghold included crusader crossbow bolts from the 1227 siege.
Today
The stronghold is located about {{convert|700|m|abbr=on}} south from Valjala.{{cite web|url=http://www.eestigiid.ee/?CatID=99&ItemID=3382 |title=Valjala alevik |publisher=eestigiid.ee |language=et |access-date=2019-01-12}} It is slightly oval shaped, having a diameter about {{convert|120|m|abbr=on}} by {{convert|110|m|abbr=on}}. The height of the walls is {{convert|3-6|m|abbr=on}} inside and {{convert|5-8|m|abbr=on}} outside. The courtyard includes a limestone-lined well.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
- {{cite journal |title="…Ships are their main strength." Harbour sites, arable lands and chieftains on Saaremaa|first=Marika|last=Mägi |journal=Estonian Journal of Archaeology |issue=2|volume=8 |publisher=Estonian Academy Publishers |year=2004 |ref=Mägi}}
- {{Cite book |last1=Raukas|first1=Anto | author-link1 = Anto Raukas |last2=Bauert|first2=Heikki |last3=Willman|first3=Sebastian |last4=Puurmann|first4=Elle |last5=Ratas|first5=Urve |title=Geotourism highlights of the Saaremaa and Hiiumaa islands |url=http://projects.centralbaltic.eu/images/files/result_pdf/GEOISLANDS_result1_saaremaa_hiiumaa.pdf |year=2009|publisher=Geoguide Baltoscandia |isbn=9789985997314 |access-date=2018-12-20|ref= Raukas}}
- {{Cite book|last1=Tamm|first1=Marek|last2=Kaljundi|first2=Linda|title=Crusading and Chronicle Writing on the Medieval Baltic Frontier: A Companion to the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia|year=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317156796|ref=Tamm & Kaljundi}}
- {{Cite book|last1=Taylor|first1=Neil|title=Estonia|year=2014|publisher= Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=9781841624877|ref=Taylor}}
- {{cite journal| url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325907942 |title=The Fate of Final Iron Age Strongholds of Estonia: struggle for power and transition to the Middle Ages|first=Heiki|last=Valk|author-link=Heiki Valk |journal=Muinasaja teadus |volume=24 |issn=1406-3867 |year=2014 |access-date=2018-12-18|ref=Valk}}
{{Refend}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Saaremaa
Category:Ruined castles in Estonia
Category:Tourist attractions in Saare County
Category:Buildings and structures completed in the 12th century