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In the churchyard of the Turaida church, two lime tree shade the grave of Turaida Rose. A simple headstone reads "Turaida Rose 1601-1620".
The legend of Turaida Rose is this: a local beauty from Sigulda named Maija loved a gardener at Sigulda Castle named Viktors, they would meet at the Gutmanis Cave. One day a suitor of hers who was a Polish officer lured her to the cave on the false pretense of meeting Viktors.
Maija offered him this challenge, the scarf around her neck was magical and if his sword could pass through it without stopping, he could have her forever. The officer withdrew his sword, passed the blade through the handkerchief and Maija's neck killing her.
Viktors is said to have buried her and vanished, the Polish officer is said to have been caught and hanged for his crime.
Written Jun 12, 2004
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After looking at the ruins of Krimulda Castle, the only path we saw going down was the bike trail. Lonely Planet says that there are 410 steep wooden stairs below the viewing tower of Krimulda, immediately to the left of the castle, leading to the riverside path but since we didn't see them we took the bike trail which eventually got us there. At some point we did use some stairs but not 410 of them consecutively. We did some signs showing the direction to the caves once we got on the riverside path.
Gutmanis cave is the largest in the Baltics so I was a bit surprised that it didn't seem very big at all and certainly not very deep. I was envisioning something like Mammoth cave!
There are several legends associated with this cave, one is that the water flowing from the cave removes facial wrinkles (drat, forgot to bottle some up!), another talks of a healer who used the water to cure the sick but the most famous is the legend of the Turaida Rose-see the tip for the grave of Turaida Rose for the story.
The cave is covered with graffiti as old as the 16th century, I've posted a photo in my next tip.
Updated Jun 12, 2004
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After you get off the cable car, the first place to visit on the other side of the Gauga Valley is the ruins of Krimulda Castle. The way to the castle wasn't particularly well marked and since there's not much left to the castle, I wasn't actually sure that we had found it.
Krimulda Castle was built between 1255 and 1273, it was thought because it was surrounded by deep valleys that it would be secure but it was sacked in 1602.
You can also take a bus to Krimulda from the Sigulda bus station.
Updated Jun 12, 2004
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Unless you have a car, taking a cable car over the Gauga Valley is a good way to get to the other side to see Krimulda Castle, the caves and Turaida and provides a lovely view of the valley.
See my transportation tip for more specifics.
Here's a picture taken from the cable car
Written Jun 12, 2004
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There's not much left of the Knights Stronghold. It was built between 1207 and 1226, by the Knights of the Sword.
In 1207 after the Germans conquered this area, the Gauga Valley bacame the boundary between these German Knights and the Archibishop of Riga who had a castle on the other side of the valley at Turaida which can be seen across the valley from this point.
See the next tip for a photo.
Written Jun 12, 2004
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The sand caves in SIgulda are formed around the river Gauja. Take a nice walk along the river to admire the huge caves.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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The Sigulda castle ruin dates back to the 13th century. The original castle was built by the Teutonic Order.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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An old Bishop castle on the top of a hill. If you fancy going upstairs to the top of the tower, you will be able to enjoy the great view over the Gauja river valley.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Just outside of Sigulda
According to a legend, this cave was excavated by Viktor, a gardener at Sigulda castle. It was made for Maija, the beauty called “Turaida Rose”, to see him working in the castle from there.
Written Sep 23, 2007
Canoeing in Gauja National Park. You can see wild birds, animals, sand stone rocks. it is just perfect thing do do in Gauja National Park. There are routes for 1,2,3 or 4 days
Written Jan 11, 2006
Address: Peldu 2, Sigulda
Phone: 371-9244948
Website: www.makars.lv
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Reviews and photos of Sigulda attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Sigulda sightseeing.
Canoeing in Gauja National Park. You can see wild birds, animals, sand stone rocks. it is just perfect thing do do in Gauja National Park. There are routes for...
5 members live in Sigulda
Q: Is the bus from Riga to Sugulda about 0.9Ls as in the equivalent to £1? Do you know how much Bobsledding is and where it can be...
A: Timetables and prices for buses and trains you can find in www.1188.lv. It costs about 1LVL www.taxibob.lv www.rigaoutthere.lv
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1
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2
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Place, which is very popular in autumn and winter
I've got some interesting experiences in Sigulda. I'd love to share with you the 11 tips I've written, the 18 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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