Riga to Cesis and Turaida Museum Reserve: Private day trip

In the early 13th century, German crusaders known as the Livonian Brothers of the Sword blazed a trail into pagan Latvia and built a hilltop fort as their stronghold. Shortly after, a marketplace and church were built, creating the foundations of Cesis. Today, the cobbled streets and historic buildings make the town one of the cutest in the country, which is presided over by the 12th century St. John’s Church - one of Latvia’s oldest and largest medieval monuments. At the heart of the village visitors will still find the ruins of the medieval castle, which is now the centerpiece of the town’s beautiful park. In the 18th century ‘New Castle’, visitors can admire elegant rooms while learning about the town’s history.

Literally meaning ‘God’s Garden’ in ancient Livonian, the centerpiece of the Turaida Museum Reserve is striking 13th century red-brick castle. The 15th century granary now houses a museum dedicated to the Livonian state, which existed between 1319 to 1561, while the castle’s Donjon and other towers have additional exhibitions, and great views. Spread throughout the rest of the 43 hectare reserve are a variety of other historic buildings that have been converted to galleries and exhibits, such as a smithy where you can try your hand at forging metal or smithing your own pagan symbols. The serene graveyard, crowned by a beautiful 18th century wooden church, is the final resting place of the legendary beauty known as the ‘Rose of Turaida’, who has here own folk story. On the nearby Daina Hill Song Garden, visitors can walk among sculptures of the epic Latvian heroes who have been immortalized in folk songs.