The large Livonian Order Castle with a courtyard, established in the 13th -16th century, was rebuilt in the 17th -18th century into a palace-like castle. In the 1750s, it belonged to the von Lauws, but in 1794 the Russian Empress Catharine II bought the castle and sent her illegitimate son, Aleksei Bobrinski, there. Later, it belonged to Prince Gagarin and has lied in ruins since 1941. Contact (museum in castle outhouse): turism@poltsamaa.ee, ph. +372 775 1390, +372 529 3307.