The name of the Turaida Museum Reserve, which sounds beautiful, also has a very poetic meaning. Translated from the ancient Livonian language, it means "God's garden". Once upon a time, it was inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Latvia, the Livs, who left a rich heritage, like an ancient stone castle.

The famous Turaida Castle was built in the 13th century on the site of a wooden Livonian castle. Initially, its name was less sonorous, Fredeland, which meant "peaceful land". However, despite its significance, the German name never caught on. With the arrival of a new bishop, the castle was named Turaida. It bears this name to this day.

The construction of a great stone citadel lasted almost three hundred years. With the collapse of the Livonian Order, the bishop's castle was handed over to the representatives of the Ostsee nobility. But in 1776, the ancient walls were destroyed by a severe fire.

Since that time, people have left the castle walls forever. But the ruins of the citadel still attracted archaeologists and tourists. So, in the middle of the 20th century, the majestic Turaida Castle was restored. The round tower was equipped with an observation deck, which offers a fabulous view of all the castle's surroundings. Today, the castle houses an exposition, dedicated to the story of the castle and its inhabitants. It displays ancient artifacts discovered during excavations and numerous researches.

Turaida Castle stands close to another monument of medieval architecture, a wooden Lutheran church dating from the 18th century. It still functions today. The interiors of one of the oldest wooden churches in Latvia deserve special attention. It has a delightful Baroque altar, decorated with the painting "Golgotha", painted in the 17th century. Moreover, at the church building, at the foot of a century-old tree, there is the tomb of the legendary Rose of Turaida.