Gauja NP 2; Turaida Museum Reserve

The Turaida Museum Reserve is an area of green knoll, dominated by the red-brick Turaida Castle, the Bishop's Palace, and its tall cylindrical tower; it was built in the 13th century on the site of a Livonian stronghold. There are small and interesting museums inside the various buildings here. The rest of the reserve has walks and small exhibits. The small church, one of the oldest wooden churches in Latvia, features the grave of "the Rose of Turaida," a melancholy legend about a beautiful young woman murdered in a nearby cave by a soldier who wanted her; she was in love with a local gardener...... ( It's worth a Google).

Then we drive to Riga. It's an interesting evening (see captions on photos).Read more