Section 5. Sigulda - Līgatne. Gauja National Park.

Sigulda's first railway station was built in 1889 and replaced by three more stations over time. The third station was designed by architect Pēteris Feders and it was built in the style of national romanticism and was considered the most beautiful station building in Latvia. In 2012 the reconstructed Sigulda railway station, the station square and the Laima clock were opened.

A masonry church was firstly mentioned in the 1483 as the church of St. Bartholomew. Suffered during the Livonian War and the Polish-Swedish fights. During the Soviet era from 1965 to 1990, the Sigulda church was the only house of the Lord and was used by a number of members from different religions.

Only 2-3 km off the central square of railway station, there is the deep ravine of the Vējupīte river.

Devonian period sandstone outcrop in the ravine at the left bank of Vējupīte river. The highest point in the ravine is 11.5 meters. A small triangle-shaped cave, about 5 meters deep, has formed in the wall.

From Paradise hill you can see a view of the Gauja ancient valley even 12 kilometres away. Across the valley, the tower of Turaida castle can be seen. It is also called the Painter's hill, because the landscape here was a source of inspiration for Latvian painters J. Feders, V. Purvītis and J. Rozentāls.

90 m wide sandstone outcrop.

On the other bank of the river.

The 5 km long nature trail offers a chance to observe local wildlife and birds. Tel: +371 64153313, 28328800.

4–7 m high net labyrinths among treetops. Tel: +371 25779944.

Industrial heritage.

Sigulda Castle quarter is a favourite recreation place for Sigulda residents and town guests and the popular event centre of Sigulda region. Castle of the Livonian order in Sigulda and the New Castle of Sigulda are located in the territory of the Castle quarter. Craftsmen and artists work in the buildings of the Castle quarter, where in the workshops and salons is possible to learn new skills and buy souvenirs and gifts.