Turaida Castle in Sigulda, Latvia
One of the oldest visible castles in Latvia is Turaida castle - it is built in 1214. Few buildings in Latvia are located in such a splendid landscape - castle is set on some 80 metres high strip of land between two ravines at Gauja River. There is marvellous view from its 27 metres high tower over the forested Gauja valley.
Castle has been built for Riga Bishop/Archbishop and has experienced more warfare than most other medieval castles in Latvia. It is not inhabited since 1776 and gradually was turning into ruins - until in the second half of 20th century there was started rebuilding of the castle for boosting of the tourism and rising the knowledge level. Nowadays the complex of the Turaida castle belongs to most interesting and most impressive culture landmarks in Latvia. It could be considered to be the best explored medieval castle in Baltic states.
History
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[1] 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 the 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.
Description of the construction
Outward fortifications
Turaida castle is located in impressive heights with a view on deep valley of Gauja. Headland with the castle has got very steep and high slopes - only in the northern side there continues the narrow strip of hill, which is crossed with moat. There was a drawbridge across it.
Heights are not stable geologically - there was an impressive landslide in the winter of 2001/2002 which almost totally blocked the road underneath. There were worries that the process will continue and the western wall of the castle might tumble down as well.
Build of the castle
Castle consists of the main castle and two foreparts of the castle - all these buildings are stretched in length of 213 metres. There is used mainly red brick for the construction, boulders are used in foundation.
Architect G. Jansons breaks down the history of the castle in several construction periods. Initially, in the second decade of 13th century the plateau of the former Livic hillfort was encircled with a defensive wall. In the western side of courtyard there was built a dwelling house - palatium.
In the same second decade of 13th century there was built also the present dominant of the castle complex - the big, rounded tower - last refuge of the defenders of the castle in case of danger. This keep currently is 29,2 metres high. Initially it was some 30 metres high, had seven floors. Diametre of the tower was 12,5 metres, thickness of walls - 2,9 - 3,3 metres. Current entrance in the keep is built recently. Initially the tower was accessed by wooden stairs up to the second floor - it was easy to destroy such stairs in the case of siege - thus making the access more complicated for enemy. In the second floor there was located a fireplace.
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Latvija. Rudens caurbrauciens Mērsragam.
Mērsrags ir nedaudz jūrā izvirzīta, zema sauszemes izliece Kurzemes pussalas austrumu krastā (apm. 42 km no Talsiem). Mērsraga jūrmala līdz par Rojai ir pilna lielu akmeņu sablīvējumiem. T. s. Velna akmens pie Mērsraga bākas paceļas 1,5 m virs ūdens līmeņa (50 m no krasta).
Mērsraga luterāņu baznīcu 1809. gadā cēlis latviešu amatnieks Krišjānis Krūze. 1896. gadā celtne pārbūvēta.
The rural municipality of Mērsrags (Markgrafen) is located on the west coast of the Gulf of Riga (Latvia), beside Lake Engure and surrounded by extensive woodlands. It's situated in northwest Latvia in wooded lowland close the sea. It is in the district of Talsi, which includes the townships of Kulciems, Lauciena, Vandzene and Roja. To the south is the district of Tukums, where the townships of Engure and Zentene are situated. The total area of the municipality is 109 km2 (10896,2 ha). 63.7% of this area is woodland and Lake Engure covers 20.4%. The coastline is about 12 km. long. Talsi, the main city of the area is 42 km. from the town centre, and there are 95 km. to the capital, Riga.
Population: 1986 inhabitants (2008.06). Population density: 18.6 inhabitants/km2. Principle nationality: Latvians.
Many types of landscape can be seen; seaside, lake reservation, everglades, lagoons, the bed of the dried-up Litorīnas lake (Litorīnas ezers), the sand dune forest, and rural and urban landscapes.
[edit]History
The earliest information about Mērsrags is from the 15th. century, when it was a small fishing hamlet beside the Gulf of Riga. There are many stories and myths about Mērsrags. Pirates, who lured ships ashore and plundered them, used to live here. During the ducal period, there was a large production of soap.
In 1842 a canal was dug from the north end of Lake Engure to the sea and in 1843 Mērsrags began to develop. In 1880 a lighthouse had been completed and the first ship was launched from the dockyard. Altogether 22 sailing ships were built in Mērsrags. Between 1860 and 1915 66 sailing ships were built in Upesgrīva village.
Until 1918 Mērsrags village and Upesgrīva village belonged to the parish of the Engure manor but in 1918 Mērsrags became a separate parish. Likewise in 1926 Upesgrīva became a separate parish.
In 1926 a narrow-gauge railway came to Mērsrags and in 1927 the port was built to satisfy the needs of fishing boats and shipping.
In the 60's (20.th century) the development of the fish farm collective resulted in a great increase in the production of fish and canned products. The first block of flats and a distant steam heating plant were built. A new fish processing plant was constructed as well as a net repair shop and an engineering workshop. The village roads were repaired and asphalted.
[edit]Sights worth to see in Mērsrags
Mērsrags canal (dug in 1842-1843), it is about 4 km. long and connects Lake Engure to the sea. Mersrags port north mole (constructed in 1927, reconstructed in 2007).
Museum - The Peoples House (Saieta Names - latv.). The building is from 1872 and contains an exhibition about life and conditions in Mērsrags and its surroundings at the beginning of the 20th. century. There are many relics, tools and items from the houses of the period.
Mērsrags lighthouse, built in 1874, survived the 1st. & 2nd. World Wars.
Mērsrags Lutheran Church, built in 1809, is one of the oldest wooden churches in the country. The church contains several preserved cultural monuments. Located in the old churchyard.
Wooden Lutheran church in Mērsrags
Lake Engure National Park. Founded in 1957 as a bird reservation it became a national park in 1998.
Picturesque meadow. About 51 ha with big meadows and a wide variety of biotopes. Mērsrags foreland (18 ha.) The site of the Devil stone.
Svētmeitas akmens (Holydaughter stone), there are some legends about this stone, sea pirates and hidden treasure.
[edit]Port of Mērsrags
The port of Mērsrags is located on one of the Gulf of Riga's most picturesque stretches of coast. It's the one from the biggest of Latvia's small ports. Most of Mērsrags industry is concentrated near the port. Mērsrags traditional industries are fishery, fish canning, and forestry. New sectors are appearing that are related to commerce and service. The port is very important as an export terminal.