Church Hill and Sv. John's Lutheran Church

Liepājas iela 3, Aizpute, Dienvidkurzemes novads

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Opposite the Aizpute Castle ruins, on the right bank of the Tebre River, stands the ancient 16-meter-high Curonian hillfort, now known as Baznīckalns ("Church Hill"). In 1254, a church was built on the site where German Crusaders had plundered and destroyed the ancient Curonian castle.

The St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has been restored and rebuilt several times and is considered one of the oldest church buildings in Courland. Until the 16th century, Catholicism was practiced in the church, after which it was handed over to the Evangelical Lutheran congregation. In 1571, the first Lutheran pastor, Joachim Remling, arrived in Aizpute and served here for 43 years.

The church underwent several reconstructions: the tower was built in 1730, the altar in the second half of the 19th century, and its current Neo-Gothic appearance was achieved in 1860. Notably, the church bell, recast over 400 years ago in 1589, still rings today.

Inside the church, you can find the famous “Sauer” organ built in 1904, as well as remarkable paintings such as “Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane” (by J.I. Egink, 1833) and “The Crucified” (by J.F. Wagner, 1864). To the right of the altar, there is also a 16th-century tombstone of Courland Bishop H. Bazedow.

Aizpute’s St. John’s Lutheran Church is one of the oldest churches in Courland. It is a national architectural monument and is also included in the European Cultural Heritage List.