There are churches with interesting history and legends in the neighborhood of Sigulda. They can be seen in their magic ways every day and it is possible to feel their aura in the air. On the route along Sigulda, you have the opportunity to see the various churches in the city. 

The route can be started at the Sigulda Jesus Roman Catholic Church.

Sigulda Jesus Roman Catholic Church

In 1995, the congregation started building a new church using the project of the architect Maija Krastiņa. The building was sanctified already in September 1996. The church is built on the honor to the Holy Jesus Heart. A reciprocal icon is in the main altar that is a copy of the painter Šēnbergs picture.

The church is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.  Souvenirs like rosary or wooden crosses can be bought as well. Church services are held regularly and because of the good acoustics, musicians of different styles are happy to perform in the church.

On the way to the next church, you can see the following objects by going to Raiņa Street.

Key Square

Key Square was inaugurated in 2007 to mark the 800^th anniversary of Sigulda. The three steel keys commemorate the respective unity among the historical centres of Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda. The square is decorated with objects like a bridge, arches and keys.

The keys also symbolize Latvia's rich history - a desire for security and independence. In the Middle Ages, the gate of the fortress was locked to preserve the safety of the townspeople during the night hours.

Walking by the Pils street, about 500 m away, there is a monument to father of Dainas - “Krišjānis Barons".

Monument to Krišjānis Barons

Krišjānis Barons is often referred to as a man who while sitting looks at the rhythm of a small-town residents and who is fondly referred to as father of Dainas by the Latvian people. One of his greatest contributions to Latvian culture and history is in his work cataloging Latvian folklore by compiling a collection of Latvian songs. The monument to Krišjānis Barons was installed in 1985, celebrating the centenary

While collecting Latvian songs, Krišjānis Barons spent most of his life - about 25 years while doing it and just the last year of his life as a nature lover he was, he spent in Turaida. In 2001, “Dainas Skapis”, a Folksongs Cabinet was included in the UNESCO World Memory Register.

The monument overlooks the Sigulda Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Sigulda Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Sigulda Evangelical Lutheran Church was first mentioned in writing in 1483 as St. Bertulis Church, but Sigulda Church was founded already in the 13th century, which was started by the Kropotkin family. Even though after the marriage, Olga Kropotkin converted to Russian Orthodox faith, she continued to help the church with congregation with various gifts such as luxurious brass ceiling lamps that have survived to this day and are present in the church.

An old legend tells us that a brother with a sister, Anna and Bērtulis, a virgin and her brother, have been laid and in capitated in the walls of the church, so that the church's foundation would always be stable, and the church would serve for a long time.

Every day from 10.00-17.00 the church is open for visits and it is possible to see the exposition of paintings by artist Valdis Atal “The Mosaic of the Button” on the history of the church. As well everyone has the opportunity to climb up the church tower and view the Sigulda landscape from the above.

After the church visit, you can go to the Jānis Poruks street's Walking Stick park, where you can see the Sigulda traditional souvenir.

Walking Stick Park

In 2007, the Walking Stick Park was opened on the city's 800th anniversary in honor of the characteristic symbol of Sigulda and its most popular souvenir. Sigulda's walking stick is the only tourist souvenir with a story and legend for more than 200 years ago. In order to walk down the hills of Sigulda and the “Alpine Trails” of Sigulda, it is impossible to do without a neat walking stick.

Continuing along the Jāņa Poruka Street, you will reach the Cable Car over Gauja river, which is located on the stairs leading to the bridge over the river.

The Bridge over Gauja River

In 1937, two bridges in the world opened which were both unique for their technical solutions to a situation. One of them was in San Francisco; the other was the bridge over Gauja River in Sigulda and it was opened on July 23, 1937, with the participation of President Karlis Ulmanis. The bridge was destroyed during the war in 1941, but it was restored in 1950 and is currently the only bridge in Latvia with a such a structure and design.

The bridge underwent a renovation, and on September 3, 2017, the renovated bridge over the Gauja in Sigulda was opened.

Continue along the beautiful nature trail along Turaida Street, you will see Gutman’s Cave.

Gutman’s Cave

Gutman’s cave is the highest Latvian cave, the largest grotto in the Baltic States: 10m high, 12m wide, 18.8m long. There are three legends and stories about the cave.

Climbing up the stairs at Gutman’s Cave, you will reach a nature trail that leads to the entrance to Turaida Museum Reserve. The Turaida Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in the Turaida Museum Reserve.

Turaida Evangelic Lutheran Church

The present Turaida wooden church was built in 1750 and is one of the oldest churches. The church is located on the Church Hill, which is an ancient cemetery, and there have been several churches built before on the grounds there. The creation of the church and the construction works were carried out in accordance with the traditions of the construction of those times, thus obtaining the status of a protected architectural monument in 1932.

Nowadays Turaida Church is located in protected Cultural Monument - Turaida Museum Reserve and after several restorations, now visually reminds exactly how it looked 260 years ago- gorgeous and elegant in its simplicity. The exposition “History of the congregation and Church of Turaida”, which reflects the history of the church to the present, as well as the preserved church pulpit and altar, can be seen in the church.

The route ends with a visit to the Turaida Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sigulda Churches are a historic heritage for the city and a great sightseeing destination for tourists, especially people interested in sacred tourism.

There is also an opportunity to see other churches in area of Sigulda.

Allažu Evangelical Lutheran Church

Allaži Evangelical Lutheran Church is an architectural monument of national importance. Built-in 1926 by Pauls Kundziņs. In the Soviet Union years, the church was a canteen, later a warehouse, but in 1990 it was renovated and is now completely renovated as a working and active Church building.

Krimulda Evangelical Lutheran Church

Krimulda Evangelical Lutheran Church is the oldest stone church in Latvia and was founded in 1205. On September 8, 1204, King Kaupo returned from Rome with the Pope's gift - 100 pieces of gold, which were used to build the church. The church was rebuilt in the 17th century. Krimulda Evangelical Lutheran Church is open 24 hours a day.

Sv. Orthodox Church of Sigulda, called by the Apostle Andrejs Primsa

The church was built in 2000 but completed only on December 13, 2011, which was consecrated during the first holy Mass. The church is open daily from 9.00 to 13.00. Church services are held on Saturdays and Sundays.