In the picturesque Latvian town of Sigulda, located on the right bank of the Gauja River, fifty kilometers from Riga, there is a mysterious Turaida Castle, which today is a museum-reserve.
Together with all the adjacent buildings, it covers an area of 41 hectares. Its original architecture against the backdrop of beautiful nature creates a magnificent picture. To see this beauty, more than 170 thousand tourists come to Sigulda annually.
Turaida Castle: History
By decree of the Riga Archbishop Albert, who a little earlier founded the future capital of Latvia, Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava, the construction of the castle-fortress began in 1214. When it was completed, the building was called Friedland, which translates from German as "peaceful land." True, this name did not take root on Libyan soil.
But Turaida not only survived for many years, but also survived to this day. Translated from the language of ancient Livs, it means the Divine Garden. Turaida Castle (Sigulda) for several centuries retained its strategic importance. But in 1776, a fire almost destroyed the structure.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a rural estate appeared in the courtyard of an ancient fortress: residential buildings, barns, stables and other outbuildings were built. In 1924, the Turaida Castle, the photo of which you can see below, was included in the list of historical objects that were under state protection.
Restoration
Restoration work began only after the end of the war with Nazi Germany. At first, the castle tower 26 meters high was restored. Later it became a viewing platform for visitors. From its height, a magnificent view of the surroundings, which are literally immersed in greenery, opens. Often these places are called Latvian Switzerland.
The first archaeological expedition was organized in 1974. During the excavations, scientists discovered more than five thousand unique exhibits. Specialists prepared a detailed photo report on the work done, more than five hundred schemes of the ancient castle were created. The scientists consider the most valuable finds preserved to this day the masonry of ancient baths with wells, furnaces, breweries, ancient jewelry and coins.
Castle today
At present, Turaida Castle (Latvia) has not yet been fully restored. Nevertheless, tourists can already see the watchtower, north and south towers, fortress walls, as well as some living quarters. There are museum expositions that tell about the history of the castle.
You can climb to the observation deck along narrow and low passages with stone steps. Their width does not exceed 0.5 meters, and the height is slightly more than 1.5 meters. Neither daylight, nor the sounds of the surrounding world get here. Climbing low, dark and narrow manholes along the powerful round wall of the fortress tower is a difficult test even for a physically hardy person. Once on the observation deck, the tourist has the only desire - to catch his breath, sit down, as if after a difficult race. But after some time, the landscapes that open up are so mesmerizing that all the difficulties of climbing are quickly forgotten.
Museum Reserve
In 1988, Turaida Castle received the status of a museum reserve. His tasks include the popularization and preservation of historical heritage dating back to the 9th century. There are thirty nine buildings on the territory, which are of great historical and architectural value, monuments of culture and nature. In addition to the castle, the complex includes Church Hill, an 18th-century Lutheran church, the grave of the Turaida rose, Folk Song Park and other memorable places.
Archaeological excavations begun more than half a century ago, as well as scientific research, do not stop in the ancient settlement today. Archaeologists find new artifacts that replenish the museum fund. They can be seen in the castle throughout the year. Turaida Castle, whose address is st. Turaidas, 10, has become a popular cultural center in Latvia. On its territory concerts of modern and ancient music are held, ethnographic and folk festivals are held, various exhibitions and other cultural events of the country are held. And in the courtyard of the castle you can watch the work of artisans.
Church
It was built on the territory of the castle in 1750 with the blessing of priest Daniel Merkel. The building looks quite strict and even, one might say, ascetic. And it could be confused with some kind of economic structure, if not for the turret, made with baroque elements, which was annexed in 1808. This is one of the few churches in Latvia made of wood, which has survived to this day.
The exposition decorated in it and the preserved interior tell about the history of the church mountain and the church itself. Today it is an active temple. It contains the oldest musical instrument - the organ. It was donated to the church in 1839 by the owner of the estate, the widow of Helen Ulrike. During the First World War, this instrument was destroyed and harmonium took its place.
Gardener's house
Turgaydsky castle has several buildings that have undergone significant changes over its long history. The gardener’s house belongs to them, which, despite all the renovations, has not lost its original size. Now there is an exhibition dedicated to the Gauja Livs and their significance in the culture and history of Latvia. The exposition presents tools, weapons, household utensils of the ancient people, which were discovered during excavations of Turaida Hill.
Song park
To the left of the path to the castle is the Folk Song Park. It consists of Song Garden and Mount Dine. Twenty-six sculptures are installed here, which were performed by sculptor Indulis Rank. They illustrate life experience and folk songs of the people of Latvia, and also pay tribute to Krishjanis Barons, who collected and systematized many folk songs.
The Legend of Turaida Rose
It is no secret that all medieval castles are covered with numerous legends and traditions. Turaida Castle is no exception. Over the entire history of mankind, many stories have been written that tell that true love is always stronger than death. The most striking example is the world famous story of Romeo and Juliet. The love of these young creatures was so strong that they preferred death to separation. The legend of Turaida Castle is no less touching and romantic. All inhabitants of Latvia know her and are happy to tell her to all the guests. Turaida Rose is a Mayan girl who chose death instead of dishonor and separation from her lover.
Surrounded by centuries-old trees, Church Hill is an ancient cemetery where local residents were buried. Over time, the burial ground almost disappeared, but the only memorable place under the centuries-old linden was left, where Maya Greif was buried. Her life formed the basis of the beautiful legend of the Turaida Rose.
In 1848, Magnus von Wolffeld published judicial evidence and protocols on the murder of this girl at the Gutmann cave in August 1620. After the battle of 1601, when the Swedish troops managed to capture Turaida Castle, the local clerk Greif found a little girl among the dead. He adopted a child and gave her the name Maya.
Years passed quickly, and Maya turned into a girl of unearthly beauty. For this, local residents began to call her the Turaida Rose. Maya's bridegroom lived and worked in the castle - a gardener named Victor Hale. In the evenings, lovers met at the cave of Gutman. But the beauty also liked the military mercenary of the castle Adam Yakubovsky.
The girl rejected his love, and Yakubovsky conceived the evil - he decided to take possession of the proud beauty by force. He wrote a letter allegedly on behalf of Maya's fiancé, asking him to urgently visit him on a visit to the Gutman Cave. Once in place, Maya realized that she was trapped. And then she made a desperate decision. The girl showed Yakubovsky a red scarf that was on her, and said that it was a gift from her betrothed, which protects her from the blows of the sword.
She invited the treacherous Yakubovsky to check and verify the magical power of the scarf. He raised his sword, and after a moment Maya fell to the ground, lifeless. Victor found the murdered girl and, in desperation, rushed to Turaida for help. When people came to the cave, they found a gardener's hatchet there. Victor was charged with the murder of Maya, and by all laws he should have been convicted.
However, the course of events was changed by Yakubovsky’s ally - Skudritis. He came to court and told how the case was. Victor was acquitted, and the unfortunate Maya was buried in the Turaida cemetery. At her grave Victor planted a linden. Today, according to tradition, all the newlyweds of Sigulda come to this place to swear eternal love to each other.
How to get there
Everyone who wants to see this ancient castle with their own eyes needs to use a bus or train from Riga. In both cases, you need to get off at the Sigulda stop and transfer to the bus that will take you to the Turaida stop. A few minutes from it you will see the Turaida Castle. Opening hours of the museum-reserve depend on the season:
- from November to March it is open from 10.00 to 17.00;
- in October and April - from 10.00 to 19.00;
- from May to September - from 09.00 to 20.00.
If you have to visit Latvia, do not miss the opportunity to see the castle. We are sure that you will remember this trip for a long time.