Sigulda

Located in the central part of Latvia, on the bank of the Gauja River, about 50 km northeast of Riga, Sigulda is one of Latvia’s most beautiful cities. Sigulda lies on the edge of the Gauja National Park; due to its beautiful landscape, Sigulda is often called ‘Latvia’s Switzerland’. It is particularly picturesque during autumns. Sigulda is a popular center for extreme sports such as bungee jumping from the cable car, canoeing in summer period; and bob and skiing in the winter months.

There are three famous medieval castles in Sigulda and its surroundings. The castles of Turaida, Sigulda and Krimulda were originally established by the Livs in the 13^th-14^th centuries. Sigulda’s Castle Ruins nowadays host popular outdoor events and music festivals.  

Situated between Sigulda and Turaida castle, Gutmana cave is the biggest internal erosion cave in the Baltic States. It is also famous for the inscriptions on the cave walls going back to the 16^th -17^th centuries.

Inscriptions on the cave walls in Sigulda, Latvia