- Address: Gauja National Park, Turaidas iela 10, Sigulda, Siguldas pilsēta, LV-2150, Latvia;
- Built: in 1214;
- Website: turaida-muzejs.lv;
- Phone: +371 67 971 402;
- Working hours: every day from 09:00 to 20:00.
The Turaida Museum-Reserve in Sigulda is visited annually by about 200 thousand tourists from all over the world. The main attraction of the complex is the famous Medieval Castle of Turaida. Its brick-red majestic walls are clearly visible against the background of emerald-green hills, and do not let forget about the great history of these legendary lands.
Turaida castle in Sigulda is almost the same age as Riga . He is "younger" than the capital for only 13 years. The centuries-old history of this ancient fortress and the unusually picturesque place in which it is located attract tourists from all over the world. The castle is located on the territory of the reserve with an area of 43.63 hectares, where there are many other monumental compositions: an ancient manor house , Turaida church , Dain mountain and the Garden of Songs .
History of Turaida Castle
Like many ancient fortresses in Latvia , the Turaida Castle appeared exclusively due to one feature of the medieval Riga bishops - they were very fond of traveling through their possessions, building new residences on the way. The next bishop's castle was first called Friedland (from German - "peaceful land"), but this name did not last long. It was decided to name it the same as Liv's wooden castle and the nearby settlement Turaida, which existed earlier on this site.
For many centuries in a row the structure was expanded, its defensive system was improved. Simultaneously with fortification, the construction of farm buildings and apartment buildings in the courtyard was underway. In the 18th century, the creation of an ideal defensive-strategic facility was completed. South and north are securely protected by forurbs, seven protective towers are built, a high stone wall is built around the perimeter. But Turaida Castle waited for a sad fate. In 1776, the fire, caused by carelessness, destroyed all dreams of indestructible military defense. No strength, no desire to start all over again was not. On this place there were only the ruined ruins that lay here for almost two centuries.
Only in 1953, reconstruction work began on the reconstruction of Turaida Castle, which continues to this day.
What to see in Turaida Castle?
In the whole structure there are 4 tourist zones:
- the main tower ;
- a tower-like southern body ;
- a large semicircular tower ;
- west body .
Bergfried - the main tower, which began the construction of the castle. It was used as a watchtower, as well as a refuge during the siege of the fortress. The height of the tower is 38 m, it has 5 floors in all.
Tourists can climb to the top to see a beautiful panorama of the picturesque surroundings. On the ground floor there is an exposition dedicated to the history of the main tower.
The tower-shaped southern building was built as a defensive structure that protected the castle from the south. There is also a small outbuilding and a cellar. In the southern building there are three expositions:
- about hypocausts in Turaida Castle (special ovens, which were used to heat internal premises);
- on the history of the construction and restoration of the tower-shaped southern building ;
- about the working apartments of the bishop .
The large semicircular tower was erected in the 15th century to protect itself from cannon balls and gunshot attacks. As in the main tower, there are five floors:
- on the ground floor there is an exhibition dedicated to the guards of the castle (a picture of the rest of the guards is reproduced - dummies' mannequins are sharpening weapons and playing dice, and many thematic exhibits are presented);
- on the second floor - an exhibition of weapons of different historical periods, which used to defend the inhabitants of the fortress;
- on the third floor there is a hall of a large semicircular tower (items collected about its construction, fragments of old buildings are collected);
- on the fourth floor there are mock-ups of all semi-circular Vidzeme castles;
- on the fifth floor there is an exposition of the period of the XVIII-XIX centuries;
- in the basement a medieval prison with dummies of guards and prisoners, as well as objects of prison entourage, was reproduced.
The Western building is a three-story building with a deep basement of the XV century. On each floor are equipped exhibition halls, which store many items found by archaeologists at this place. The history of the construction of the Turaida Castle from the 13th to the 17th century can be traced through the expositions.
schedule
From November to March, the castle is open to visitors from 10:00 to 17:00. In April, when it is already getting dark not so early, guests can walk around the reserve until 19:00.
In the summer season, from May to September, you can get to the territory of Turaida complex from 09:00, but at this time only the main tower, the museum-reserve and the tower-like southern building will be opened. From 10:00 am visitors are available all locations that are open until 20:00.
In October, the visit time is reduced by 1 hour - from 09:00 to 19:00.
Price list
The cost of admission tickets varies, depending on the season.
Prices in summer (May - October):
- entrance for adults - € 5;
- for students - € 3;
- for pensioners - € 4,3;
- for schoolchildren € 1.5;
- for invalids of III group - € 0,7.
Prices in winter (November - April):
- entrance for adults - € 3;
- for students - € 1,5;
- for pensioners - € 2,15;
- for schoolchildren - € 0.7;
- for invalids of III group - € 0,3.
You can also purchase a family ticket of two types:
- 2 adults + children (2 or more) aged 7 to 18 years - € 10.7 in summer, € 6.4 in winter;
- 1 adult + children (2 and more) aged 7 to 18 years - € 6.4 in summer, € 3.7 in winter.
Free entrance for children under 7 years old, disabled I and II group, orphaned children, journalists, and also guides of large groups (from 20 people).
A sightseeing tour of the castle of Turaida (1.5 hours) costs € 21.34 (in Latvian) and € 35.57 (in English / Russian / German).
The cost of the thematic half-hour excursion: € 7,11 (in Latvian) and € 14,23 (in English / Russian / German).
Near the entrance to the protected area there is parking. For the parking of the car you will pay € 1,5, a minibus - € 3, a motorcycle - € 1.
More impressions
In the summer season, guests of the castle are invited to participate in exciting programs, where they can not only learn a lot of interesting from the history of the ancient monument of culture and architecture, but also travel in time. The program "What is Turaida Castle Made in Latvia?"
The cost is € 35,57.
In addition to the traditional tour of the castle, this includes a master class for the production of real medieval bricks, of which Turaida towers were built. With the help of a special trowel, you can build the bricks themselves from soft clay, leave any signs on them, and then dry them.
The program "Visiting Turaida Vogt".
The cost is € 66.87 for adults, € 35.57 for children.
You can feel like a real resident of an ancient castle, walking along it in knightly or peasant garb. Accompanies tourists Turaida Vogt. He will acquaint you with the customs and rituals that were observed here many centuries ago, tell you about the estates that divided the inhabitants of the castle, how they arranged the way of life, and also help to write a medieval document on the wax tablet and to assure it with an unusual hanging seal. Quest "The Story of the Millennium".
The cost is € 29.88.
Fans of active recreation have the opportunity to pass a fascinating quest - to find on the map certain objects and objects located on the territory of Turaida Castle and the reserve. During the game, participants will learn many interesting facts and legends related to this place, and in the end will receive a surprise gift.
* Schedule and prices are valid for March 2017.
How to get there?
Before the Turaida castle from the center of Sigulda, it takes only 5 minutes. Distance from Riga is 54 km. Exact address: LV-2150, Sigulda, st. Turaidas 10.
Sigulda can be reached by train or bus from Cesis , Valmiera , Riga , Valga . From Sigulda bus station there are buses to Turaida. The fare is € 0.5.
If you are traveling by car, then you should get to Sigulda on the A2 (E77) highway, then turn onto the P8 road that will take you to Turaida. You can also go along the motorway A3 (E 264). Having reached Ragany, it will be necessary to turn off on the P7 highway to Turaida.