- Turaida castle timeline audio data -

1.Turaida Castle, a unique beauty located in Latvia

2.In Livonian, it means Thor's garden.

3.In 1214, in the name of Albert Its construction was begun by Philip, bishop of Ratzeburg.

4.In fact, it was built on the site of an existing but burning castle.

5.During the Middle Ages it was an important economic center for the archbishops of Riga, the
residence of a local ruler, and a military stronghold.

6.The Turaida Museum Reserve is in the and cultural heritage of the region is of global value

7.The Turaida Museum Reserve mission is the creation of a harmonious society, showing the Latvian
lifestyle development and the universal human values

8.The castle is largely built in the classic red brick structure of the Baltic crusader orders.

9.Residences and living spaces were also built in the inner courtyard of the castle

10.Minor reconstruction work was carried out in 17th century although the castle started to lose its
strategic importance.

11.After a fire in 1776 it was abandoned and gradually became ruinous

12. At the beginning of the 20th century, only separate parts of the defensive wall and some
buildings - the main tower, the semi-round tower and the western part - remained. From 1976,
regular archaeological excavations were carried out, followed by restoration and conservation work
that revealed the previous state of the castle. In the restored buildings there are exhibits about the
history of the brick citadel and the Gauja Livonians. From the viewing point of the main tower, it is
possible to see a unique view of the picturesque Gauja valley and the site of the Turaida Museum
Conservation Area.