Sigulda
Sigulda | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Castle at Sigulda | |
|
UTC+3 (EEST) | |
| Postal code | LV-2150 |
| Calling code | +371 67 |
| Number of city council members | 15 |
| Website | http://sigulda.lv/public/eng/ |
Sigulda (ⓘ; German: Segewold) is a town in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, 53 kilometres (33 miles) from the capital city Riga.[3][4]
Overview
Sigulda is on a picturesque stretch of the
primeval Gauja river valley. Because of the reddish Devonian sandstone which forms steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river, Sigulda has been called the "Switzerland
of Vidzeme".
Gutmanis Cave
After the restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, an emphasis was placed on conserving Sigulda's public monuments and parks as well as improving the town's tourist sector. Supported by the
bobsledding, and the luge are popular in wintertime and bungee jumping
is practiced during the rest of the year.
The
Baltics, measuring 19 m (62.34 ft) deep, 12 m (39.37 ft) wide and 10 m (32.81 ft) high. The cave still bears inscriptions from as early as the 17th century; drinking the water is supposed to be healthy and is said to increase one's lifespan. From the cave it is possible to climb into the hills and take the cable car
over the river valley.
The town's population has been growing every year since 2000. 86% of the population is Latvian, 9% Russian, 3% Belarusian and 2% others. Sigulda celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2007 .
Points of interest
- Aerodium Latvia
- Gauja National Park
- Gutmanis Cave
- Krimulda Castle
- Sigulda bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
- Sigulda Castle
- Sigulda Medieval Castle
- Turaida Castle
Twin towns — sister cities
Sigulda is a member of the
town twinning association of towns across the European Union. This active town twinning began in 1991 and there are regular events, such as a produce market from each of the other countries and festivals. As of 2019, its members are:[5]
Agros, Cyprus
Altea, Spain
Asikkala, Finland
Bad Kötzting, Germany- Bellagio, Italy
Bundoran, Ireland
Chojna, Poland
Granville, France
Holstebro, Denmark
Houffalize, Belgium
Judenburg, Austria
Kőszeg, Hungary
Marsaskala, Malta
Meerssen, Netherlands
Niederanven, Luxembourg
Oxelösund, Sweden
Preveza, Greece
Rokiškis, Lithuania
Rovinj, Croatia
Sesimbra, Portugal
Sherborne, England, United Kingdom
Siret, Romania
Škofja Loka, Slovenia
Sušice, Czech Republic
Tryavna, Bulgaria
Türi, Estonia
Zvolen, Slovakia
- Other twinnings[6]
Notable people
- Milda Lauberte (1918-2009), chess player
- Alvis Vītoliņš (1946-1997), chess player
- Sandis Ozoliņš (born 1972), ice hockey player
- Anda Čakša (born 1974), politician, paediatrician
- Juris Šics (born 1983), luger
- Mihails Arhipovs (born 1984), bobsledder, skeleton coach
- Andris Šics (born 1985), luger
- Jānis Strenga (born 1986), bobsledder
- Elīza Tīruma (born 1990), luger
- Toms Skujiņš (born 1991), cyclist
- Lelde Priedulēna (born 1993), skeleton racer
- Kendija Aparjode (born 1996), luger
- Kristers Aparjods (born 1998), luger
- Mārtiņš Bots (born 1999), luger
- Elīna Ieva Vītola (born 2000), luger
References
- ^ "Reģionu, novadu, pilsētu un pagastu kopējā un sauszemes platība gada sākumā". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Iedzīvotāju skaits pēc tautības reģionos, pilsētās, novados, pagastos, apkaimēs un blīvi apdzīvotās teritorijās gada sākumā (pēc administratīvi teritoriālās reformas 2021. gadā) 2021 - 2022". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Sigulda aizrauj!". Tourism.sigulda.lv. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Sigulda". Latvia.travel. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "Member towns". douzelage.eu. Douzelage. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
- ^ "Sadraudzības partneri". sigulda.lv (in Latvian). Sigulda. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
External links
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Sigulda.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sigulda.
European Union: Members of the town twinning "Douzelage" | ||
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| Current members |  | |
| Former members | ||
| International | |
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| National | |