Welcome to Siguda Region

Sigulda is one of Latvia’s most beautiful cities. There are not many places in the world where the beauty of nature becomes an integral part of the city. Our city does not have great industries, but it has hills for skiing in the winter and winding roads along which one can ride a bicycle in the summer. Our slogan - Breathe Freely! - confirms our mental and physical activeness.

Winter sports in Latvia are associated with Sigulda. The Opera Festival once again reminds of Sigulda. Bungee jumping, the vertical wind tunnel Aerodium, and our rope course Mežakaķis – this is the kind of emotion one can experience only in Sigulda. Our traditional Bird Festival in Mores region, the autumn colors in Turaida, Gutmana Cave and Maija’s Love Story, Dainu Hill — all characterize Sigulda, as does the concert hall White Grand Piano and the Kremerata Baltica Festival. And that is not all…

Although the population of Sigulda is growing, it is not likely that in the near future we will see traditional elements of growth, such as tram system, factories, or expensive mansions. We continue to develop our city as a city of love, parks, history, and beautiful tales — that is our plan for Sigulda.

Sigulda region is a place where people can feel at ease and enjoy life with daycare facilities and schools for children, and for adults, work places not far from home. One can relax and enjoy world–class culture and both summer and winter sports in Sigulda.

A city is not created in a short period of time but over hundreds of years, likewise development of the local traditions and culture. Therefore local inhabitants of Sigulda are active participants in the local celebrations, both summer and winter, including the 800^th anniversary of the founding of the city.

In Sigulda everyone can really breathe freely!

History

Sigulda town

Sigulda became a city in 1928, although its history is much, much older. The Finno - Ugric tribe of the Livs arrived in the Gauja valley in the 11th century. Legends and documents tell us about a number of fortified wooden castles, including the Satesele, Turaida and Kubesele castles. The Livs used these to fight back against German Crusaders .We know of seven Liv castle mounds and a number of burial grounds in and around Sigulda.

Once the Crusaders had completed their attack, the local land, in 1207, was divided up between the Order of the Brethren of the Sword and the Riga bishop Albert. The order built a brick fortress called SIEGEWALD ("Victory Forest" in German) on the left bank of Gauja, and its functions was to protect the border between the order`s territory and the lands of the Riga bishopric across the river. A tradesmen`s village sprang up around the fortress, and a brick church was built. A papal ambassador called Wilhelm in 1266 established the Christian congregation.

During the Livonian War (1558 - 1583), Sigulda was sacked twice by the Russians. The last master of the Livonian Order, Gotthard Kettler, swore featly to the Polish - Lithuanian Empire in 1561, thus seeking protection from Ivan the Terrible. Vidzeme became a part of Poland, and Sigulda became a provincial capital. The town was sacked once again during The Polish - Swedish War (1600 - 1629). The castle lost its importance as a military fortress and instead became the central building of a baronial estate. A variety of ancillary buildings were built near the main castle, and a residential building know as the New Castle was put up in 1881.

Sigulda began to flourish in the late 19th century when the Riga - Pliskau road and the Riga - Valka railroad were installed. The dynasty of the Kropotkins developed Sigulda into a recreational area that was popular throughout the Russians Empire. Convenient links to Riga led to herds of tourists. People could hike the so called "Alpine trails" inspect castle ruins and caves, take rides in horse - drawn wagons, and ride down the Kristin family`s bobsled track.

During World War I many of the wooden buildings in Sigulda suffered serious damage. These buildings had been put up to resemble the style of structures in the Swiss Alps. During the period of Latvian independence, the baronial estate was confiscated, and the central building was turned over to the Latvian Association of Writers and Journalists, which set up a recreational facility there. After 1923 all building in Sigulda was governed by a city plan, which regulated the size of building lots, the direction in which street must run, and the establishment of parks and squares.

During World War II, Sigulda once again suffered major damage - the railroad station, a bridge across the Gauja and an open - air stage were all destroyed. The development plan that was elaborated by Soviet authorities in 1946 spoke to the creation of new foundations for Sigulda`s economic growth, promoting local industry and communal construction. Sigulda became the administrative, economic and cultural center for a small region between 1950 and 1961.

In the early 1950s, the historical centers of Krimulda and Turaida were administratively attached to Sigulda. Three sanatoriums and a tourism facility at Turaida were opened. In 1969, an air cable car was installed across the river valley to improve links to Krimulda.

The Gauja National Park at Sigulda turned into a very popular facility, visited by some 1.5 million tourists each year. Between the 1960s and 1980s construction in Sigulda was typical of small town building in Soviet Union. Private homes sat alongside blocks and blocks of communal housing structures.

After the constructions of a luge and bobsled track in 1986, Sigulda became an internationally important center for those sports.

Nature

Sigulda is situated at the western corner of Vidzeme highland on a relatively plane, agriculturally useful part of platform, near 100-102 m above sea level.

Sigulda is the center of Latvia tourism and Gauja National park.

Distinctive nature of the Sigulda region is defined by well-formed net of glens, which embay Gauja and its tributary banks. Glen density in Sigulda land is 600 m/km2.

By hydrographic classification Sigulda belongs to Gauja basin. Only small part – Sigulda marsh southern part with river Suda – belongs to Daugava confluence basin.

River Gauja flows through wide ancient riverbed near Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda, which banks and surrounding hillock are overgrown by exuberant woods. This is where the ancient knight’s castle ruins and ancestral castle mounds are situated. You can see red sandstone rocks and its many caves in the banks of Gauja and on the slopes of ancient valley. Worth mentioning are Gutmana and Velna caves.

Territory is rich with water. The most important water course is Gauja, the second biggest and the longest (452 km), as well as the most beautiful and cunning river of Latvia. Riverbed by Sigulda is approximately 100 m wide with sharply changing depth (0,3 – 7 m). There are several springs and lakes (glacier made and marsh lakes) in the surroundings of Sigulda. The lakes are small, shallow and middle depth (0,8 – 3 m).

Inhabitants

Number of inhabitants in Sigulda in 20th century (from 1909 till 2000) has grown more than 10 times.

In nearest 2-3 years number of inhabitants of the region can sharply grow from 15000 to 17000 because of the development of individual and apartment houses construction.

Symbols

LOGO

Golden leaves in Gauja Valley fashion the visual background of the logo. Steep banks of Gauja Valley, coloured in gold and in riddle, contrasted by dark blue water of Gauja. Steep banks are painted using the effect of stroke of brush that accents Sigulda as artist`s inspirations and appearance of a pictureque place.

A bridge above River Gauja connexts both banks and at the same time also symbolizes the union of the territories - Sigulda Region

Blazonry

Sigulda

From the left split with silver and green. Tree green leaves go in the type of dragon - fly, so go a three silver flowers bird - cherry tree.

Sigulda Parish

A green peak is inverted in the field of silver, for it a gold oak is laid on.

More Parish

Pricked with gold and blue, in the middle in the type of pile are five red cranberries. From the middle aside both four double leaves - form one on the second.

Twinning partners

Birštonas - Lithuania

www.birstonas.lt

Angus - Skotland

www.angus.gov.uk

Lǿgstǿr - Denmark

www.logstorkom.dk

Stuhr - Germany

www.stuhr.de

Fälköping - Sweden

www.falkoping.se

Keila - Estonia

www.keila.ee

www.keila.edu.ee

"Douzelage" - European Town Twinning Association

www.douzelage.org

Chiatura - Georgia

Nongovernmental organizations

There are more then 40 nongovernmental organisations and associations in Sigulda region. Some of them are accommodated in Sigulda Day centre, which is financed by Sigulda region council, where those organisations can organise meetings and events.

Nongovernmental institutions and their members actively participate in the process of local administration.

In 2005 the first agreements were signed with associations “Aicinājums Tev”” and “Cerību spārni” for rendering social rehabilitation, which are financed from the council’s social budget.

Name of the organization	Leader	Address	Phone
Siguldas region Information, education un mental health centre “Ideja”	Anita Mellupe	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+ 371 7800967
Sigulda region pensioner association „Sigulda”	Alfons Jumiķis	3a Pils Street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+371 7971189
Sigulda rural municipality pensioner council	Ruta Kupce	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+ 371 7976217
Sigulda region agricultural cooperation council	Laimons Līkops	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+371 7800946
Hunter’s, fisher’s club “Zēgevalde”	Anatolijs Kitins		+371 29213061
Politically repressed people club “Sigulda”
The Association „Friends of Scotland”	Inese Zagorska	11 Dzintaru street, Sigulda, LV - 2150
Commonwealth association "Sigulda - Stuhr"	Dzintra Meldere	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7976695 + 371 26761355
Latvia National soldier association Sigulda department	Visvaldis Ziediņš	8/1 Atbrīvotāju street n. 8/1 - 3, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7972703
Sigulda department of Latvian Association Daugavas Vanagi	Ivars Selga	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 26371052
Central department of Latvian Association Daugavas Vanagi	Edmunds Sosnovskis	4 Laimas street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7973412
Disabled persons support organization “Aicinājums Tev”	Mārīte Rozentāle	121 Pulkveža Brieža street n.2, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 26421634
Sigulda region handicapped children and family association “Cerību spārni ”	Eva Viļķina	5a, Institūta street, Sigulda rural, LV - 2150	+ 371 26371923
Sigulda Businessman Club	Harijs Štrauss	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+ 371 26550015
Latvian Diabetes association Sigulda department	Tekla Silanža	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7973200
Latvian Red Cross Sigulda deparment	Ģetrūde Līvmane	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 29142830
Latvian Red Cross Sigulda rural municipality department	Inese Levanoviča	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+ 371 7800964 + 371 29265023
Disabled person sport support group	Inese Mežaka	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 29838236
Ladies Club “ Madara”	Skaidrīte Roštoka	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7973610 + 371 7974878
Tradition Club “Saknes un atvases “	Lita Zūkere	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 26115262 + 371 7974878
Latvia inhabitant union Sigulda department	Biruta Liepiņa	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 2978505
Mores rural municipality senior citizen organisation „Ceriņi”	Ilga Kļaviņa	13 Siguldas street, More rural	+ 371 4147238
Anonymous Alcoholic support group	Ieva	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 29475370
Chess senior club „Sigulda”	Uldis Deisons	3a Pils street, Sigulda, LV - 2150	+ 371 7973718
Sigulda regional tourism association	Dace Vanaga	1 Mednieku street, Sigulda
National Decorative Arts studio “ Vīgrieze ”	Irita Lukšo	7 Zinātnes street, Sigulda rural, Sigulda Region, LV - 2150	+ 371 26597372

EVENTS

Sigulda 800

The great celebration is going to be in 2007

For more information:

Sigulda Tourism Information Centre

Phone/fax: +371 7971335

e-mail: info@sigulda.lv

Sigulda Region Council

Phone: +371 7970848, + 371 7970863

Fax: +371 7971371

e-mail: prese@sigulda.lv

Culture

There are 3 culture centres in Sigulda region – Sigulda City, Sigulda Rural district and More Rural district. More than 700 people have engaged in amateur performances, many of amateur performance associations have gained international recognition.

In 2005 concert hall "Baltais Fligelis" (engl. - “White Grand Piano” ) have gain wide resonance in Latvia with its active performances, that’s why for the use of concert hall and Music School grand piano „Stainway & Son” was bought, which is appreciated as an investment in future.

There are more and more cultural and leisure events taking place in Sigulda every year – Kremerata Baltica, International opera music festival, Baltic folklore festival and many others.

During the summer season every weekend there are open-air concerts and open-air dance parties take place in Sigulda castle ruin open-air stage.

Sigulda is preparing for its 800^th anniversary in 2007, when there will be different opportunities to spend leisure time for everyone.

Business

Association „Sigulda Businessman Club” was formed to represent interests of Sigulda region entrepreneurs. All together there are around 90 individual workers and entrepreneurs in Sigulda region. Unemployment rate in the region is even slightly lower then in the country in general, which is closely related to creation of proper entrepreneurial environment in Sigulda and formation of new work places. In collaboration with State Employment Agency those people who are unemployed right now are given a chance to work in region’s greenery management and territory housekeeping.

In 2005 council organised international entrepreneur forum, where entrepreneurs from Sigulda and 6 commonwealth cities took part, giving a chance to make deals, exchange experience in international scale.

Sigulda region council supports businessman initiative, projects and investment attraction plans, to form developed region with good infrastructure.

In 2006 Businessman Club in collaboration with Sigulda region council organised first Sigulda region business product and service exhibition, where 50 Sigulda region companies presented their products and services they provide. Sigulda region inhabitants and visitors could get acquainted with companies which work in Sigulda region.

Council regularly participates in project competitions to provide EU fund investment attraction; right now 7 important council projects have received funding.

Sport

Sigulda is an important winter sports centre in Latvia. There are bobsleighing and sleigh tracks, 8 mountain skiing tracks –

seven on the slopes of left bank of Gauja, the eights in Krimulda rural area.

Traditionally, every year contest in mountain skiing and snowboard “Sigulda Cup” is held, which this year took place in for 28th time.

More than 300 people participated in this competition. State scale competitions are also being organized.

Sigulda is appreciated not only by winter sports fans. In other seasons of the year Sigulda area’s specific relief attracts cyclists.

For example, traditionally since 1997 cycle race takes place in Sigulda. Last year it had more than 1500 participants, including Latvian

officials and Sigulda region council chairman Talis Pukitis.

Many people participate in orientation competition. Rally “Vidzeme” has become a tradition. The most sportive Sigulda inhabitants

have joined together in different sport clubs: there are badminton, basketball, orientation, and sleighing and snowboard clubs.

Not only Sigulda schools gyms and sports grounds are being used for training and competitions, but also “Siguldas Buvmeistars” gym, mini-golf course, beach for volleyball, streets and yards for basketball.

City Stadium was completely renovated in year 2000; it promoted development of track and field athletics.

In the end of year 2005 1st Latvia winter olympiad took place in Sigulda, where best 600 latvian sporstmen competed in 11 sport contests.

Sigulda region winter sport games in 14 different disciplines have become a tradition, where every inhabitant of Sigulda region is welcome to participate. During the annual Sigulda region festivities there are several tournaments – football, table tennis, shooting with airgun and “Family sport day” in Rokeni where Sigulda inhabitants meet with other families.