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Conclusion
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SOME CONCLUSIONS
The catalogue “Building Ironwork at Turaida Castle in the 13th–18th Centuries” is an
attempt to systematize the objects, excavated in the 25 year period, as to their shapes, functions
and approximate dating of their manufacturing or use. There are few medieval iron building
details at Turaida Castle and the finds mainly refer to the post-medieval period when the Castle
ended its existence. This is the ironwork of the 17th–18th centuries from buildings that perished
in the 1776 fire. When reconstructing the buildings in the pre-fire period, old iron fittings were
collected and forged anew. Moreover, it is to be underlined that during the last centuries of its
existence Turaida Castle was not a luxurious castle of a great landlord, and, therefore, the fittings
were also simple.
Generally, the vast collection of building ironwork at Turaida Museum Reserve repre-
sents samples of common ironwork. However, it is a valuable material for further research of
archaeologists and cultural historians as up to now little attention has been paid to research of
medieval and post-medieval building ironwork in Latvia. Thus, the Catalogue will provide an
important comparative material for further research and restoration of building ironwork found
in other places as well as for arranging new exhibitions in museums.