Turaidas Roze
September 15, 2006
My stay in Riga was short. Our small tour group headed to Tallinn, Estonia first thing in the morning. On our way we stopped at the Turaida national reserve situated on the Guaja River in Sigulda. The reserve has a medieval castle, a sculpture park and a church. The locals call Sigulda “The Switzerland of Latvia”, The word “Turiada” means “God’s Garden” in the Livonian language.
In the churchyard of the Turaida Church, two lime trees shade the grave of “Turaidas Roze” with the dates 1601-1620. The legend is that Maija was a beautiful girl who was in love with Viktor, a local gardener. One day she was deceived by a man of polish decent who wanted to take her for himself. He lured her to a cave where he tried to force himself upon her. Maija challenged the man saying that her scarf was magic and if his sword could pass through her while wearing the scarf, the man could have her forever.
The man accepted the challenge and drew his sword killing her. The moral being love transcends death. Newlyweds visit the grave on their wedding day in hopes they experience the same eternal love she demonstrated to her beloved.
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