Albert, Archbishop of Riga, directed construction of Turaida Castle, which began in 1214 for the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. It replaced an earlier wooden Livonian fort on the same site. The article describes it as a castellum-type fortress, built largely in red brick. The southern tower section was added in the 14th century, and a semi-rounded western tower followed in the early 15th century.
The castle was the seat of the Turaida bailiwick, held by vassal families such as the von Rosens and von Tiesenhausens. The secularization of the archbishopric in 1566 ended that role.
A fire in 1776 led to its abandonment. Excavation began in 1976, followed by restoration and conservation. It is part of the Turaida Museum Reserve, and the main tower has a viewing point.
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