The village of Kirspenich has a Celtic-Roman origin, as can be seen from its name, but it first appeared in records in 893 AD in the property register of Prüm Abbey.
The castle's square residence tower, made of rough stone, dates back to Gerlach von Dollendorf, who owned Kirspenich in 1278. In the 14th century the castle tower, which is mentioned in official records in 1301, was raised by two storeys. Despite further extensions and improvements during the 16th century Kirspenich never became the country seat of knights. In the 18th century the estate belonged to the Baron von Friemersdorf, who had the baroque residence, resembling a maison de plaisance and comprising 16th century parts, built against the tower.
At the beginning of the 20th century the castle functioned as a restaurant, which was extended to include further outbuildings and a large dance-hall. In the 90's the estate was fundamentally and thoroughly restored after decades of neglect.
References:House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in the old town of Riga. The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried German merchants in Riga. Major works were done in the years 1580 and 1886, adding most of the ornaments.
The structure was bombed to a ruin by the Germans June 28, 1941 and the remains demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999. Today the House of Blackheads serves as a museum and sometimes concert hall.