Turaida Castle

Turaidas pils

A striking red-brick medieval castle rising above the Gauja valley, part of a museum reserve with sculpture park and historic church. Its tower offers sweeping views and the site is steeped in the legend of the Rose of Turaida.

Things to do

• Climb the main tower — Ascend the round donjon of the red-brick castle for sweeping panoramas over the Gauja River valley and surrounding forests.
• Explore the museum reserve — Wander the grounds of the Turaida Museum Reserve, which spans castle ruins, exhibitions, and restored medieval buildings across a wooded hilltop.
• Visit the Rose of Turaida grave — See the linden tree and grave of Maija, the legendary Rose of Turaida, near the wooden church where the tragic love story unfolds.
• See the Turaida wooden church — Step inside the 1750 wooden church, one of Latvia's oldest, standing beside the castle grounds.
• Walk the Folk Song Hill sculpture park — Stroll among 26 stone sculptures dedicated to Latvian dainas (folk songs) created by sculptor Indulis Ranka.
• Tour the castle interior exhibitions — Explore displays on the history of the Livonian Order, medieval life, and archaeological finds within the restored castle halls.
• Take the Sigulda cable car — Ride the aerial cable car across the Gauja valley connecting Sigulda and the Turaida area for dramatic views.

Food to try

• Rye bread (rupjmaize) — Dense dark Latvian sourdough rye bread is a national staple often served with local meals near the castle.
• Grey peas with bacon — Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi is a hearty traditional dish of grey peas fried with onions and pork, considered a Latvian classic.
• Sklandrausis — A sweet carrot-and-potato tart in a rye crust, this ancient Latvian pastry is a regional specialty worth seeking.
• Smoked fish and forest berries — The Gauja region offers smoked fish and seasonal wild berries like blueberries and cranberries sold locally.
• Kvass — A traditional fermented bread drink, mildly sweet and refreshing, commonly found across Latvia.

Local customs & good to know

• Buy a combined reserve ticket — One admission covers the castle, tower, church, museum buildings, and sculpture park, so allow several hours to see it all.
• Honor the Rose of Turaida legend — Newlyweds and visitors traditionally leave flowers at Maija's grave to honor her faithfulness, so respect the site's solemn meaning.
• Wear sturdy shoes — The hilly, cobbled, and forested grounds involve steep paths and tower stairs, so comfortable footwear is essential.
• Visit in warmer months — The site is most rewarding from spring to autumn when the sculpture park and valley views are lush and fully accessible.

Nearby

• Gutmanis Cave — 1 km
• Krimulda Manor and Cable Car — 2 km
• Sigulda — 4 km
• Gauja National Park — 12 km