At the edge of Gauja National Park, Latvia’s largest, Sigulda made for a undemanding day trip from Riga, about an hour away by bus or train.
A 1km long cable car provides good views of the heavily forested Gauja National Park, though to be honest the flowery ceiling of the cable car was probably more exciting than the scenery.
Through the trees could be seen the ruins of the 13th century Sigulda Castle, and the 19th century Krimulda Palace.
Walking through the park was pleasant, but little more. Gutman’s Cave was quite interesting for all the carvings, and made popular by a legend of the healing powers of the water that springs from it.
Turaida Estate and Castle is the most popular museum in Latvia, which says something. It was fine, but not a patch on what I’d seen travelling through Scandinavia before reaching the Baltics. Most people probably come for the castle but I found the estate more interesting. It was similar to many open air museums, but unusually these building were in their original location, rather than being relocated.
The lake would have been even more reflective if it hadn’t been raining hard!
Turaida Church dates back to 1750 and is one of the oldest wooden churches in the country.
There is a Folk-Song Park filled with 26 sculptures by Indulis Ranka representing heroes of Latvian poetic folk songs.
The red brick Turaida Castle was built in the 13th century but largely destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in Soviet times. It has the usual castle related displays, and views of the National Park from the top of the reconstructed tower.
