Sigulda

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Sigulda
Image:LVA Sigulda COA.svg
Image:2007.03.28 44 Castle Sigulda.jpg
Castle at Sigulda
City rights	1928
Image:Latvia city Sigulda.png
Location of Sigulda within Latvia
Location	57°09′N, 24°52′E
Other names	German: Segewold
Mayor	Tālis Puķītis
Number of city council members	11
District	Riga District
Area	18.2 km² (7 sq mi)
Population	16,679
Postal code	LV-2150
Calling code	+371 7
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Homepage of Sigulda

Sigulda (pronunciation (help·info)) is a city in the Vidzeme Region in Latvia, 53 km from the capital city Riga.

Sigulda is situated in a picturesque part of the primeval Gauja river valley. Because of reddish devon sandstone which form steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river, Sigulda has been called the "Switzerland of Vidzeme".

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 town council, a traditional Opera Music Festival takes place in an open-air music hall in the castle ruins each summer. A Town Festival is celebrated in May when cherry trees blossom, while Sigulda is regarded for the colors of its trees in autumn. Sports such as skiing, bobsledding, and the luge are popular in wintertime and the bungee jumping is practiced during the rest of the year.

The Gutmanis Cave lies halfway between Sigulda and Turaida Castle and has a little creek flowing from it. The largest cave in the Baltics measuring 19 m deep, 12 m wide and 10 m high. The cave still bears inscriptions from as early as the 17th century; drinking the water supposed to be healthy and boosting one's lifespan. From here you may climb into the hills and take the cable car over the river valley.