Sigulda is a small tourist town on the Gauja River. It is famous primarily for the ruins of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword, and its surroundings are an area of winter sports, including bobsleigh and cross-country skiing.
The settlement was built in the 11th century and was a small trade and craft center of Livonia. Soon after, the Knights of the Sword took it over and built one of their castles here. It served military purposes until the end of the 16th century, when it was destroyed by the Swedish army.
Today, the ruins of the stronghold are the most important monument of the village. Near it, in the nineteenth century, the so-called New Castle was built in the neo-Gothic style, which today serves as the local town hall.
The surroundings of Sigulda are overgrown with forests that are protected by the Gauja National Park. It took its name from the river that flows here in a deep gorge. Above its surface a cable car was built, from which cabins from a height of 40 m you can admire the picturesque valley.
These areas are also popular among winter sports enthusiasts. There are tens of kilometers of cross-country skiing routes. There is also the largest bobsleigh center in Latvia, where trainings are held by teams from several countries. Tourists can take advantage of bobsleigh trips in the company of instructors
