On June 12 and 13, the Turaida Museum Reserve will take part in European Archaeology Days. This is an initiative of the French Ministry of Culture and the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), aimed at sharing knowledge about archaeological heritage across Europe and making culture accessible to everyone.
The cultural heritage of Turaida’s historic center as part of Europe’s shared heritage is confirmed by the European Heritage Label, which it received in 2021.
June 12 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Seminar / Discussion “Food in Castles”
Turaida Castle granary (magazīna)
This year’s theme of Archaeology Days in Turaida — “Food in the Castle” — invites visitors to explore medieval daily life through archaeological evidence related to food and dining culture.
The seminar will examine findings from archaeological research at Turaida Castle that are connected to food and eating habits in the castle. The main sources of evidence include pottery and ceramic fragments, as well as individual tableware items, alongside written documents such as letters and inspection reports.
Leading experts on the topic are invited to discuss what castle inhabitants ate, what kinds of vessels were used, what delicacies and treats were enjoyed, and what grew in medieval gardens. The seminar will also explore how dishes were made, what techniques were used in their production, and how they were used in daily life.
Special attention will be given to ceramic finds from the archaeological excavations at Turaida Castle, which provide a unique insight into everyday life in the castle.
The seminar will conclude with a discussion aimed at addressing key questions and encouraging reflection on both what is known and what remains unknown. Archaeological research will be highlighted as one of the main ways to understand people’s lifestyles and compare them with today’s life. It is even possible that some of the foods we enjoy today were already consumed by the inhabitants of Turaida Castle over 800 years ago.
Program
Part I (Lectures) 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- “Dishes and Eating Utensils in Turaida Castle, 13th–17th Century”
- Dr. hist. Ieva Ose, researcher at the Turaida Museum Reserve
- “Information on Food Supplies and Kitchen Equipment in Turaida, Krimulda, Limbaži, and Piebalga Castles in the 1564 Inventory of the Archbishopric of Riga”
Dr. hist. Vija Stikāne, Deputy Director for Research at the Turaida Museum Reserve
- “Feasts in Livonia”
Mag. hist. Gunta Deģe, member of “REAG Senzeme”
- “From a Medieval Kitchen Garden to Feasts: The Experience of Cēsis Castle”
Līga Eglīte, medieval gardener of Cēsis Castle
Lunch in medieval style
Part II – Discussion and Questions
Moderator: Mag. hist. Justīne Timermane, historian at the Turaida Museum Reserve
June 13 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Event “Exciting Archaeology for Children”
“Exciting Archaeology” is an annual event at Turaida Castle that many children look forward to. The main audience includes Latvian, Lithuanian, and Estonian families with children, as well as all museum visitors and interested guests.
The aim of the event is to introduce visitors to one of the most complex yet fascinating fields of studying the past — archaeological research — and to develop an understanding of cultural heritage and its diversity.
During the event, creative workshops will take place in the castle courtyard, offering hands-on experiences such as making clay vessels, painting plates, and baking one’s own bread. This is an opportunity for both children and adults to meet archaeologists, learn how ancient objects are discovered, and understand what they can reveal about the people who once used them to enjoy meals.
Creative workshops include:
- Clay vessel making workshop
- Ceramic painting
- Medieval food tasting
- “Bake your own bread!”
- Ance’s bread
- From grain to porridge and bread
- Bees and honey in ancient and modern times
- Medieval board games together with the Young Archaeologists School
- Meeting with an Archaeologist
- Sensory and sand box activities for the youngest visitors
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Photo corner — “Journey Through Time”
- 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Guided tour — “Pots, Bowls, Cups, Plates and More…”
The event concludes with an engaging and interactive performance, “Who Broke the Dishes?”
In the performance, children — the participants of the event — will take on acting roles. Throughout the day, they will have been actively involved in creative workshops, discovering the secrets of pottery making and food preparation. Now they will be left with a seemingly simple but intriguing question: who broke the dishes?
Archaeological research is one of the most important methods for studying the past. Over several decades, the Turaida Museum Reserve has carried out archaeological investigations at Turaida Medieval Castle, in the oldest part of Sigulda Medieval Castle at Krusta Hill, in ancient Livonian sites at Krimulda Priedes, Satesele hillfort, Kārlis Hill, and other archaeological monuments.
The artifacts discovered through these excavations are preserved in the museum reserve’s collection, displayed in exhibitions, and further explored in published catalogues.
More information about European Archaeology Days across Europe:
https://journeesarcheologie.culture.gouv.fr/programme#/pinpoints/92274278
The “Exciting Archaeology for Children” event is organized by the association “Turaida Museum Reserve Support Association” in cooperation with the Turaida Museum Reserve, within the framework of the project “Adventures in Turaida for Joy and Strong Families,” supported by the Society Integration Foundation (project No. 4.3.6.9/1/24/I/001 “Creating a Family-Friendly Environment and Society”).
Participation in events is included with the Turaida Museum Reserve entrance ticket.
Information phone: +371 26434038
Prepared by: Jolanta Dukaļska, Head of the Research and Collections Department, Turaida Museum Reserve
