Purtse Castle, a fortified manor house built in the mid-16th century by Johann von Taube, represents a fascinating architectural transition in northeastern Estonia. The three-storey structure blends late Gothic building techniques with emerging Renaissance ideas, featuring ground-level storage, a middle floor for living quarters, and a defensive upper level. Notably, the basement contains a sophisticated hypocaust heating system designed to warm the main hall. Located in Lüganuse Parish, Ida-Viru County, the castle exemplifies the practical fortified residences built by local knights during this transformative architectural period.
