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Images of the main tower of the Turaida Castle on
postcards from the early 20th century
Old postcards show the ruins of the tower at the beginning
of the 20th century, when they stood some 27 m in height.
The upper part of the tower and the covering between the
floors had collapsed by this time. A hole was broken into
the tower to create a more convenient entrance to it.
The main tower between the two world wars
Latvia declared independence on November 18, 1918,
and during the subsequent period of independence,
conservation of the stone of the main tower at the
Turaida Castle was conducted for the first time. The ruins
were consolidated in 1936, and a viewing platform was
installed at the top of the tower. A proper door was installed
in the aforementioned hole in the wall so that visitors could
enter the structure more conveniently.
Restoration of the main tower
Restoration of the main tower of the Turaida Castle
occurred between 1953 and 1959 under the leadership
of the architect Kārlis Vikmanis. The lost upper part of
the tower was restored and covered with a steep tile roof
which resembled a tent. A decorative band of arches was
created. The cover between the floors was restored, and
once again the tower had five levels. A viewing platform
was established on the upper level. A wooden balcony
on console beams was restored in front of the former
entrance in the wall of the tower. The door aperture was
rebuilt to make it easier to enter the building, and an
internal staircase was installed.
The main tower, 1930s, postcard, photo by Krišjānis Vīburs
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