Memorial to the Perished Parishioners of Turaida Church

After the First World War, Latvia declared its independence on 16 November 1918. This declaration was the prelude to the Latvian War of Independence (1918-1920), in which numerous parties were involved. On 11 August 1920, after the signing of the “Peace of Riga”, the Republic of Latvia was officially proclaimed, bringing an end to this war.

This marble plaque in Latvia's oldest wooden church commemorates the parishioners of Turaida Church who died during this war, as well as those who fell in the First World War. During the Russian period between 1939 and 1991 (with the interruption of the Nazi occupation), such expressions were forbidden and the plaque was kept elsewhere. On 16 November 1989, on the 71st anniversary of independence, the plaque was returned to its place. It was not until 1991 that Latvia regained its full sovereignty.

The text on the plaque, with the names of the victims below, reads:
“Latvia, the children of Turaida Church who fell in the struggle for liberation”.

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