Castle of Turaida, Sigulda (Latvia)

Article: Paco

One of the places to visit if you go to Latvia, it’s Sigulda National Park. From Riga you can take a train, and in a hour-time you are in the main city of the region, Sigulda. From there, a nice trip of aproximatly an hour, to Turiada’s Castle in the Turaida’s river bank.

A green landscape, and from a char lift you can have a wide view of the valley, with Sigulda Castle ( built at XIX century) and Turaida’s Castle in the northern side of the river.

The name of the river, and also de the castle’s name come from the old latvian language and means “God’s Gardens”. This long river is one of the most important s and beautiful in the country, and ts route has been for years a natural frontier for Medieval Kindoms.

In the first years in XIII Century the castle belonged to “Livs” Dinasty, with Kaupo King. Although some years afterwards the property was for Albert, the Riga Bishop. After this conquest, the castle was rebuilt and the main tower was added to the complex, in 1214.

Its history has not been idel… because durind the Sweden-Polish war in 1629, the castle was besieged and the the building had important structural damages. In 1776 it was totally destroyed. Only in 1953, the latvian authorities realized of the historical importamce of this ruins, decided to rebuild it. The used main material were so diferent from the ones used originally, but at least the visitor could have an image of the original appearence of the Castle in XIII century.

Arriving to it you find a soft walk, until you get the tip of hill and from there you can see some rebuilt houses in hill side, houses that were part of the out side wall village, that for centuries took part of this Turaida settlement.

After having climbed the hill, in the castle, you can see that all the rebuilt structure was done with red brick, and some parts of the defensive wall weren’t rebuilt. In the pics you can have a view of some constructive aspects:

The Castle entrance, is the point where a big tower appears, and on the left a service smaller tower for services , warehouse, etc..

The main tower, with a circular section, and with a bid diameter, was not only used for vigilance. It was used like Castle governor rooms.

From the basement of the tower a long building for the soldiers, a reception room and a big living room.

From the top of the tower, it’s easy to have nice views of the valley, thing very useful to defend the castle.

From here we can see other small building that was the small chapel of the recint, and further away the river.

Two different perspectives

Detail of the metal structure in the top of the chapel, with the deep forest behind

Detail of the castle’s clock

And a view of the main Tower and the service building

If you come to Latvia, don’t forget this interesting plece