2014. gada 1. October
In January, the Turaida Museum Reserve starts campaign „Learn about history and events of the Turaida castle in the course of 800 years through the stories told by castle objects!” The purpose of the campaign is to invite visitors of the museum to pay attention to antiquities, found in the castle, and by their assistance to discover exciting historical stories. During the year, each second week an original object in the castle exhibitions will be highlighted. As a reward for finding this object and learning about it, the visitors will get a special label of the campaign. The stories of the objects will be published also at www.turaida-muzejs.lv and www.facebook.com/turaida.muzejs
Antiquties found during archaeological excavations at the large semi-circular tower and its surroundings
Follow these stories and become acquainted with the Turaida stone castle and its heritage anew!
Among the antique objects found in the ruins of large semi-circular tower were two hoes from the 15th or 16th century. They were under the floor near the foundation stone of the eastern wall of the cellar. It is assumed that the hoes were used to dig out space for the foundations of the building.
Firearms became of strategic importance during the 15th century, and castles were rebuilt to deal with this situation. During the 15th century, the large semi-circular (western tower) of the Turaida Castle was built along with the western defensive wall. Its round part is outside the wall, and the rectangular part is inside it. Because part of the tower was outside the defensive wall, use of firearms became more effective and the range of aiming was broader. The advantage of round and semi-round towers was that they were more durable against battering rams and cannonballs. The thickness of the walls depended on the direction of the anticipated attack – 2.10 m toward the yard, but 2.90 m on the sides and in the rounded part.
