Sigulda

Sigulda (Segewold) is a town in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, 53 km from the capital city Riga.

Overview
Sigulda is on a picturesque stretch of the primeval Gauja river valley. Because of the reddish Devonian sandstone which forms steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river, Sigulda has been called the "Switzerland of Vidzeme".

After the restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, an emphasis was placed on conserving Sigulda's public monuments and parks as well as improving the town's tourist sector. Supported by the town council, a traditional Opera Festival takes place in an open-air music hall in the castle ruins each summer. A Town Festival is celebrated in May when cherry trees blossom, while Sigulda is known for the colors of its trees in autumn. Sports such as skiing, bobsledding, and the luge are popular in wintertime and bungee jumping is practiced during the rest of the year.

The Gutmanis Cave lies halfway between Sigulda Castle and Turaida Castle and has a small stream flowing from it. It is the largest cave in the Baltics, measuring 19 m deep, 12 m wide and 10 m high. The cave still bears inscriptions from as early as the 17th century; drinking the water is supposed to be healthy and is said to increase one's lifespan. From the cave it is possible to climb into the hills and take the cable car over the river valley.

The town's population has been growing every year since 2000. 86% of the population is Latvian, 9% Russian, 3% Belarusian and 2% others. Sigulda celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2007.

Points of interest

 * Aerodium Latvia
 * Gauja National Park
 * Gutmanis Cave
 * Krimulda Castle
 * Sigulda bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
 * Sigulda Castle
 * Sigulda Medieval Castle
 * Turaida Castle

Twin towns — sister cities
Sigulda is a member of the Douzelage, a town twinning association of towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals. As of 2019, its members are:


 * 🇨🇾 Agros, Cyprus
 * Altea, Spain
 * 🇫🇮 Asikkala, Finland
 * 🇩🇪 Bad Kötzting, Germany
 * 🇮🇹 Bellagio, Italy
 * 🇮🇪 Bundoran, Ireland
 * 🇵🇱 Chojna, Poland
 * 🇫🇷 Granville, France
 * Holstebro, Denmark
 * 🇧🇪 Houffalize, Belgium
 * 🇦🇹 Judenburg, Austria
 * 🇭🇺 Kőszeg, Hungary
 * 🇲🇹 Marsaskala, Malta
 * Meerssen, Netherlands
 * 🇱🇺 Niederanven, Luxembourg
 * 🇸🇪 Oxelösund, Sweden
 * 🇬🇷 Preveza, Greece
 * 🇱🇹 Rokiškis, Lithuania
 * Rovinj, Croatia
 * Sesimbra, Portugal
 * 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sherborne, England, United Kingdom
 * Siret, Romania
 * Škofja Loka, Slovenia
 * 🇨🇿 Sušice, Czech Republic
 * 🇧🇬 Tryavna, Bulgaria
 * 🇪🇪 Türi, Estonia
 * 🇸🇰 Zvolen, Slovakia


 * Other twinnings


 * Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom
 * 🇱🇹 Birštonas, Lithuania
 * Chiatura, Georgia
 * 🇵🇱 Chocz, Poland
 * 🇸🇪 Falköping, Sweden
 * 🇪🇪 Keila, Estonia
 * 🇩🇪 Stuhr, Germany
 * Vesthimmerland, Denmark

Notable people

 * Milda Lauberte (1918-2009), chess player
 * Alvis Vītoliņš (1946-1997), chess player
 * Sandis Ozoliņš (born 1972), ice hockey player
 * Anda Čakša (born 1974), politician, paediatrician
 * Juris Šics (born 1983), luger
 * Mihails Arhipovs (born 1984), bobsledder, skeleton coach
 * Andris Šics (born 1985), luger
 * Jānis Strenga (born 1986), bobsledder
 * Elīza Tīruma (born 1990), luger
 * Toms Skujiņš (born 1991), cyclist
 * Lelde Priedulēna (born 1993), skeleton racer
 * Kendija Aparjode (born 1996), luger
 * Kristers Aparjods (born 1998), luger
 * Mārtiņš Bots (born 1999), luger
 * Elīna Ieva Vītola (born 2000), luger