The air around will rustle amidst the tranquility of the ancient Gauja river valley. Thus, you will feel like a castle guard on the edge of civilization, knowing that the security of the castle depends on you keeping your ears open to any danger emanating from the scenic panorama around you.
Other Services
Excursions around the Livonian Order Sigulda Castle | Craftsmen’s workshops and related activities | Cultural events: Sigulda International Opera Festival, Musical Breakfasts, etc.
Livonian Order Medieval Castle visitation price for adults is EUR 2.00
Annual events calendar
January: Celebration of winter flavours
• Easter: Swing Festival
• May: Sigulda Town Festival
• June: "Līgo in Sigulda"
• July: International Sigulda Opera Music Festival, Musical breakfast on Sunday mornings
• December: Winter concert hall in Sigulda Castle Quarter
• Open-air concerts
Sigulda Castle is the oldest stone castle in the district and its life began in the 13th century when the Livonian Order built a fortress here. At the start of the 18th century during the Northern War, it was destroyed, never to be rebuilt. However, part of the fort has survived right through to the present day, and the castle tower has been reconstructed, from where one can now inspect surrounding nature and the castle courtyard, imagining everyday life during the Middle Ages.
The new Sigulda Castle, which was built at the end of the 19th century in the neo-gothic style, was the residence of the family of Duke Kropotkin. During this period, Sigulda developed as a summer leisure and tourism centre, largely due to the newly built railway line.
After the First World War when the castle was destroyed, it became a centre of creative leisure and innovation for writers and journalists and was renamed the Writers’ Castle. It was not long before the castle was renovated and became a sanatorium.
In 1937, considerable upgrading took place in the building under the leadership of architect Augusts Birkhāns. Sigulda Castle became the most luxurious and modern leisure castle in the Baltics with a unique national romanticism-style interior.
Nowadays, Sigulda Castle is home to the district council and the surrounding buildings have become a centre of creativity, in which ideas are brought to life by craftsmen and artists, creating contemporary works of art in this venerable environment.