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A residential building was installed in the western part of the castle during the 15th century – the western block with a roof,
guard entrance and cellar. The western wall of the structure was also the defensive wall of the castle. After the 16th century,
the western block was used to store grain. The external appearance of the building has survived. Research and restoration
of the western block were conducted in the late 1950s.
The Exhibition “Turaida as Part of
the Rīga Archbishopric, 13th to the
16th Century”
The Turaida District was part of the Rīga Bishopric from
the beginning until the middle of the 13th century, and
then part of the Rīga Archbishopric from 1255 until 1566.
The territory of the archbishopric was established during
the 13th century on the basis of the former bishoprics
of Ikšķile and Rīga. The territory was established on the
basis of peaceful Christianisation and during wars.
Between the 13th and 16th century, there were numerous
political structures in the current territories of Latvia
and Estonia – the Rīga Archbishopric, the bishoprics of
Kurzeme, Tartu, Saaremaa-Laanemaa, and the Livonian
branch of the German Order (the Livonian Order).
The archbishop of Rīga reported directly to the pope. He
was the spiritual ruler of the Livonian Order and all of the
bishoprics of Livonia and Prussia. In terms of secular affairs,
only the archbishopric was subject to the Rīga archbishop.
The archbishop’s council also played an important role in
the governance system. There was a Dome council, and the
archbishop appointed the chief judge and a series of vassals.
Turaida was the centre of management and economy in the
archbishopric. The chief judge was a permanent resident.
The archbishop, as the ruler, sometimes visited to handle court
hearings, conclude agreements with vassals, and manage
the various properties.
The Turaida Castle has evidence of the spiritual and material
culture of the Middle Ages – objects used by pilgrims,
Medieval writing implements, lighting resources, fragments
of ornate tiled stoves, a seal and a series of coins.
The Western block
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THE STONE CASTLE OF TURAIDA