Turaida castle
dominates the Museum Reserve and is visually, its most impressive
element. When seen from the air, or the opposite bank of the
river Gauja in Sigulda, Turaida castle rises above the trees like
mighty ship built of red brick. The forepart of this imaginative
ship is formed by the northern forecastle's gate tower. The main
tower, which is the highest, is like a spar in the middle of the
ship, and the rear of the ship is the southern forecastle with
its tower shaped southern section. Building of the castle was
started in 1214, upon directions given by Albert, Archibishop of
Riga to his Livonian Brothers of the Sword (soon to merge with
the Teutonic Order) at the place where previously had stood the
wooden castle of Liv. A 'castellum' type fortress was built and
named Fredeland, which translates as 'Land of Peace', but became
better known locally by the Livonian name of 'Turaida', which has
survived until the present day. The castle was constructed
largely in the classic red-brick construction of the Baltic
crusading orders. Improving the castle's defensive system
continued in later centuries, and in the 14th century, the tower
shaped southern section was built; at the beginning of 15th
century, when fire arms were invented, the semi rounded western
tower was built. Domestic buildings and living accommodation were
also erected in the inner yard of the castle. Minor
reconstruction work was carried out in 17th century although the
castle started to lose its strategic importance. After a fire in
1776 it was abandoned and gradually became ruinous. By the
beginning of the 20th century, only separate fragments of the
defensive wall and some buildings – the main tower,
semi-rounded tower and the western section, were left. From 1976
regular archaeological excavations were carried out, which were
followed by restoration and conservation works revealing the
castle's earlier state. Exhibitions about the history of the
brick castle and Gauja Livs are available in restored buildings.
From the viewing place of the main tower, you can see the unique
landscape of picturesque Gauja Gauja valley and the territory of
Turaida Museum Reserve.
| We
managed to get there in time before the sun set. Very
nice area to visit and also very historic |
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