Turaida Castle and Gutmans’ Cave-Sigulda (Latvia)

There’s actually the remnants of two castles : the Sigulda Castle (1207-1226) and the Turaida Castle (13th C)

At the 49 km mark on the Riga-Sigulda road, a pit stop is necessary at the “Senite” restaurant, which is shaped like a mushroom. Dishes of mushrooms, smoked chicken and local beers can be found there.

Between the entrance of the estate and the castle, there’s a church in Latvian wood from 1750, with exhibits inside.

You can see different interesting contemporary sculptures in the park like this one, the thoughtful thinker, a sculpture by Ranka Indulis.

There’s an incredible view of the lowlands from the castle’s dungeon which is 42 meters high. The Turaïda Castle was built by the Archbishop of Riga in 1214 and  destroyed in 1776 by a fire that annihilated all the wooden structures around, and these were never rebuilt.

Let’s mention a 3 story museum on Latvia’s medieval history. I went through it quickly, but I recommend you Miriam Panigel’s blog that summarizes its content in much more complete manner than I.

Gūtmans’ Cave

After exiting the castle’s estate, you have to walk 10 mintures before getting to the cave. It’s the biggest in the Baltic states, some of the drawings and inscriptions date from the 16th century. You can take the bus back to Sigulda from here, you don’t need to walk back to the castle on foot, there’s a bus every half hour I think.