The original Schaloen castle was built in 1200 as a defensive fortress commissioned by the family Van Hulsberg. The remains can still be seen in the vaults of the present castle. Schaloen was an almost square building with on each corner two massive buttresses and guerite tower in the hood. The outbuildings were in the original castle on the right side of the main building.
Nevertheless the castle almost completely burnt down by war in 1575. In the year 1656 the reconstruction of the castle was completed, which can still be seen on the date which is formed by the wall anchors into the left when completed construction. In 1718 the magnificent gatehouse and current access bridge were erected, and in 1721 came to a gardener's and a carpenter's house ready and also a covered parking for coaches.
At the end of the 19th century, Count d' Villers - Masbourg Eclaye, through his marriage became a member of the family Van Hulsberg, commissioned architect PHJ Cuypers to give the castle a new view. In 1894, the renovation was completed. Until 1934, the Van Hulsberg inhabited the castle. In the Second World War Schaloen also proved attractive for the Germans. Result was that the castle was completely looted and was left uninhabitable. In 1968 the castle was sold out of lack of money.
After years of further abuse and looting the current owners, family Bot, bought in 1985 the castle and related buildings and restored them as a hotel.
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.