Turaidas pils (Turaida Castle)

Turaida Castle sits on high ground above the bank of the Gauja River. Bishop Albert began building it in 1214 where a wooden stronghold had been. Riga's archbishops held it as a residence for roughly three centuries, until a fire in 1776 emptied it out. Excavation and rebuilding started in the 1950s and ran for decades, so most of what stands now is reconstruction on original footings. The rich ed brick against lush forest makes this historic castle even more photogenic. The main tower rises five storeys high with a viewing platform at the top 139 steps, the view is definitely worth that effort. From there the Gauja River bends through the valley below and the rest of the reserve spreads out under you. Closer in, the half round cannon tower on the west side and the New Hall give you texture and shadow if the wide view over the valley is not your shooting style. The whole reserve covers 42 hectares and makes a perfect photography outing so plan to stay a few hours so you can also capture the wooden church and the sculpture park on Dainu Hill. Tickets are required to access the grounds. You can also shoot the castle from the Paradise Hill (Paradīzes kalns) observation deck on the opposite side of the river, where it clears the treeline from a distance. Evening light and autumn thinning out the canopy and opens the sightline. from the observation deck. (Sigulda, Vidzeme, Latvia)