Cultural heritage

The high concentration of the cultural history monuments is another characteristic feature of the Gauja NP. 221 cultural monuments are located here, but overall together with objects of historical importance their number exceeds 540.

Nineteen ancient hillforts, multiple settlements, and cemeteries are indicative of the fact that people have been living along the Gauja River for a long period. Here you can find the highest density of hillforts in such a small territory.

On the island of Lake Āraiši, based on materials obtained during archaeological excavations, a 9^th century Latgalian lake settlement has been reconstructed.

In the territory of the Gauja NP, at least six medieval castles and three towns (Straupe [Roopa], Cēsis, and Sigulda) were situated. The residence of the order master - the Livonian secular power - was situated in Cēsis.

Later Vidzeme survived Polish, Swedish, and Russian periods. In the 18^th century, Vidzeme suffered greatly from the damage of the Northern War and plague.

In the current territory of the Gauja NP, the famous Liv building master, Mārcis Sārums, was born. He led several activities - constructed the old manor-house at the Sigulda Manor, the tower of the Cēsis St. Johns Church, and more.

During the 18^th century and at the beginning of the 19^th, the current territory of the Gauja NP was affected by active Hernhuter movement. The Ungurmuiža Manor, which was built at the beginning of the 18^th century, was the host of the main support bases. Under the influence from the Hernhuter movement, widespread peasant riots occurred in the vicinity of Cēsis.

Paper production started developing in Līgatne since year 1816. The paper-mill of Līgatne is the oldest paper production unit in Latvia, and along with the old town wooden buildings, it is a historic monument of culture and technology of national importance.

Besides farming and livestock breeding, the people also mastered various crafts in the sandy lands of Gauja area. Beekeeping is a very old profession. Already at the end of the 18^th century, in several parishes between Cēsis and Valmiera –Brieži, Strīķi, Lenči, and Liepa, the famous chair craftsmen were actively operating . The craftsmen made fantastic chairs with wicker seats of birch-tree and bulrush.

The profession of Gauja raftsman is just as old. Initially, the timber was floated with rafts, and later also openly. Timber floating in the Gauja was discontinued in the 60-ties of the last century. In Turaida, men – cooper masters – made hoops for barrels and just as the inhabitants of Sigulda, they were stick masters. The whole families were making walking sticks for the needs of tourists.

The local peasant women were skillful Vidzeme style blanket weavers, patterned mitten knitters, as well as linen towel and sheet masters.

In the surroundings of Liepa, there are high value Devonian clay layers. Therefore, there were built  brick-kilns and potters used to work there.

Back in the day, there were 11 windmills and 25 watermills actively operating in the territory of the present day national park.