Volkenbergas pils, Latgale Upland Travel Guide

Perched atop the 247-meter-high Mākoņkalns (Cloud Hill), also known as Padebešu kalns, Volkenbergas Pils, or Wolkenburg Castle, stands as a silent witness to Latgale's tumultuous past. Constructed around 1250 by the Livonian Order, this fortress was among the first strongholds in the Latgale region, designed to exert control over the conquered territories. The name Wolbenborch, as it was originally known in Latin, translates to 'Cloud Castle,' a fitting moniker for a structure that pierces the sky.Though time has weathered its stone walls, the remnants of Volkenbergas Pils still evoke a sense of its former grandeur. Today, visitors can explore fragments of the castle's walls and a collapsed underground passage, testaments to the castle's once formidable defenses. Architect Pēteris Blūms has suggested that a unique type of shield wall construction was employed here.The climb to the top of Mākoņkalns is itself an experience, with a fairly steep path and wooden railings to assist visitors. From the summit, a breathtaking panorama unfolds, showcasing the expansive Rāzna Lake and the smaller, crystalline Ubagova Lake, affectionately called the 'Latgale's clear eye'. Information stands dot the castle's defensive walls, offering insights into its history.Legend has it that upon the death of the Lord of Volkenberg and his wife, their vast estate was divided among their three daughters: Roze, Lūcija, and Marija. Each sister is said to have built a castle on her inherited land, giving rise to Rēzekne (Roze), Ludza (Lūcija), and Viļaka (Marija). In 1938, the first president of Latvia, Kārlis Ulmanis, visited Latgale, a visit commemorated by a memorial plaque at the foot of Mākoņkalns. Today, Mākoņkalns and the ruins of Volkenbergas Pils are recognized as a nationally significant archaeological monument.