MITAU (

See also:

• RUSSIAN

Russian, Mitava; Lettish, Yelgava)  , a town of Russia, capital of the government of Courland, 29 M. by rail S.W. of Riga, on the right bank of the river Aa, in a fertile plain which rises only 12 ft. above sea level, and has probably given its name to the town (Mille in der Aue) . Pop . (1897), 35,011 inhabitants, mainly Germans, but including also Jews (65oo), Letts (5000) and Russians . At high water the plain and sometimes also the town are inundated . Mitau is surrounded by a canal occupying the place of former fortifications . It has regular, broad streets, bordered with the mansions of the German nobility, who reside at the capital of Courland . Mitau is well provided with educational institutions, and is also the seat of the Lettish Literary Society . The old castle (1266) of the dukes of Courland, situated on an island in the river, was destroyed by Duke Biren, who erected in its place (1738—1772) a spacious palace, now occupied by the governor and the courts . Manufactures are few, those of wax-cloth, linen, soap, ink and beer being the most important . Mitau is supposed to have been founded in 1266 by ConradMandern, grand-master of the order of the Brethren of the Sword . In 1345, when it was plundered by the Lithuanians, it was already an important town . In 1561 it became the residence of the dukes of Courland .

During the 17th

century it was thrice taken by the Swedes . Russia annexed it with Courland in 1795 . It was the residence (1798—1801 and 1804—1807) of the count of Provence (afterwards Louis XVIII.) . In 1812 it was taken by Napoleon I .