Sigulda

Sigulda overlooks the wooded Gauja valley, where old Livonian strongholds were followed by rival castles of the crusading powers. The Sword Brothers began building Sigulda Castle between 1207 and 1209; across the river stood Turaida, a castle of the bishops of Riga. Their positions reflected the division of the valley between the order and the bishopric.

Sigulda became a seat of the Livonian Order's land marshal, responsible for its military affairs, fortifications, equipment and horses. Russian forces sacked the settlement twice during the Livonian War, and the Polish–Swedish wars brought further destruction. In 1625 the Swedish king granted the castle estate to Gabriel Oxenstierna. Turaida's stone fortress remained a conspicuous landmark above the valley until a fire left it in ruins in 1776.