In the picturesque Latvian town of Sigulda, located on the right bank of the Gauja River, fifty kilometers from Riga, there is the mysterious Turaida Castle, which today is a museum-reserve.
Together with all adjacent buildings, it covers an area of 41 hectares. Its original architecture against the backdrop of picturesque nature creates a magnificent picture. More than 170 thousand tourists come to Sigulda every year to see this beauty.
Turaida Castle: History
By decree of the Archbishop of Riga Albert, who a little earlier founded the future capital of Latvia, Riga, at the mouth of the Daugava, in 1214 the construction of a castle-fortress began. When it was completed, the building was named Friedland, which translates from German as "peaceful land". True, this name did not take root in Liv land.
But Turaida not only survived for many years, but also survived to this day. Translated from the language of the ancient Livs, it means the Divine Garden. Turaida Castle (Sigulda) has maintained its strategic importance for several centuries. But in 1776, a fire almost destroyed the structure.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a rural estate appeared in the courtyard of the 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 sites that were under state protection.
Restoration
Restoration work began only after the end of the war with Nazi Germany. First, the castle tower, 26 meters high, was restored. Later it became a viewing platform for visitors. From its height offers a magnificent view of the surroundings, which are literally immersed in greenery. 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. Scientists believe that the masonry of ancient baths with wells, furnaces, breweries, ancient jewelry and coins, which have survived to this day, are considered the most valuable finds.
Castle today
At the moment, Turaida Castle (Latvia) has not yet been fully restored. Nevertheless, tourists can already see the watchtower, northern and southern towers, fortress walls, as well as some residential premises. They contain museum expositions that tell about the history of the castle.
You can go to the observation deckclimb the narrow and low passages with stone steps. Their width does not exceed 0.5 meters, and their height is slightly more than 1.5 meters. Neither daylight nor the sounds of the surrounding world get here. Climbing the 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 feels the only desire - to catch his breath, sit down, as if after a hard race. But after a while, the landscapes that open up are so mesmerizing that all the difficulties of the ascent are quickly forgotten.
Museum-Reserve
In 1988, Turaida Castle received the status of a museum-reserve. Its tasks include 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 the Church Hill, the Lutheran Church of the 18th century, the tomb of the Turaida Rose, the Park of Folk Songs and other memorable places.
Started more than half a century ago, archaeological excavations, 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 center of cultural life in Latvia. Concerts of modern and ancient music are held on its territory, ethnographic and folk festivals are held,various exhibitions and other cultural events of the country. And in the courtyard of the castle you can watch the work of artisans.
Church
It was built on the castle grounds 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 outbuilding, if not for the turret, made with baroque elements, which was added in 1808. This is one of the few wooden churches in Latvia that 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 a functioning temple. It houses the oldest musical instrument - the organ. It was donated to the church in 1839 by the owner of the estate, Gehlen's widow Ulrike. During the First World War, this instrument was destroyed and a harmonium took its place.
Gardener's House
The Thurgayd Castle has several buildings that have undergone significant changes over their long history. These include the gardener's house, which, despite all the reconstruction, 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 the Turaida Hill.
Song Park
To the left of the path to the castle is the Folk Song Park. It consists of the Garden of Songs and Mount Dyne. There are twenty-sixsculptures made by sculptor Indulis Rank. They illustrate the life experience and folk songs of the people of Latvia, and also pay tribute to the memory of Krisjanis Barons, who collected and systematized many folk songs.
The Legend of Turaida Rose
It's no secret that all medieval castles are covered with numerous legends and traditions. The Turaida Castle is no exception. Throughout the history of mankind, many stories have been composed telling 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 residents of Latvia know it and tell it to all guests with pleasure. Turaida Rose is a Maya girl who chose death instead of dishonor and separation from her lover.
Surrounded by centuries-old trees, on Church Hill there is an ancient cemetery where local residents were buried. Over time, the burial ground practically disappeared, but the only memorable place remained under the century-old linden tree, where Maya Greif was buried. Her life formed the basis of the beautiful legend of the Turaida Rose.
In 1848, Magnus von Wolffeld published court evidence and protocols about the murder of this girl at Gutmann's cave in August 1620. After the battle of 1601, when the Swedish troops managed to capture the Turaida Castle, the local clerk Greif found a little girl among the dead. He adopted a child and gave her a nameMaya.
The years passed quickly, and Maya turned into a girl of unearthly beauty. For this, the locals began to call her the Turaida Rose. Maya's fiancé, a gardener named Victor Hale, lived and worked in the castle. In the evenings, the lovers met at Gutman's cave. But the beauty was also attracted to the military mercenary of the castle, Adam Yakubovsky.
The girl rejected his love, and Yakubovsky conceived evil - he decided to take possession of the proud beauty by force. He wrote a letter allegedly on behalf of Maya's fiancé with a request to urgently come to see him on a date in Gutman's cave. Once there, Maya realized that she had been lured into a trap. And then she made a desperate decision. The girl showed Yakubovsky the red handkerchief she was wearing and said that it was a gift from her betrothed, which protects her from sword blows.
She invited the treacherous Yakubovsky to check and verify the magic power of the handkerchief. He raised his sword, and in 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 Maya's murder and by all rights should have been convicted.
However, Yakubovsky's colleague Skudritis changed the course of events. He came to court and told how it was. Victor was acquitted, and the unfortunate Maya was buried at the Turaida cemetery. At her grave, Victor planted a linden tree. Today, according to tradition, all the newlyweds of Sigulda come to this place to swear eternal love to each other.
Howget there?
Everyone who wants to see this ancient castle with their own eyes should take a bus or train from Riga. In both cases, you need to get off at the Sigulda stop and transfer to a bus that will take you to the Turaida stop. A few minutes from it, Turaida Castle will appear before you. 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 happen to be in Latvia, do not miss the opportunity to see the castle. We are sure that you will remember this trip for a long time.
