Longtime Āraišu Lake Castle Researcher Zigrīda Apala Passes Away

Zigrīda Apala, whose professional life was deeply linked to Cēsis Castle and the Āraišu Lake Castle Archaeological Park, has passed away at the age of 87. She was born in 1936.

Apala was a steadfast supporter of archaeologist Jānis Apals during the excavations and reconstruction of the Āraišu Lake Castle. She also researched the Āraišu Castle and the 13th–14th century Uplantu cemetery in Drabeši, making significant contributions to medieval archaeology.

Later, she was actively involved in the "Lake Castle Foundation," which developed the Archaeological Park. In 2003, together with Jānis Apals, she was among the founders of EXARC, the International Association for Experimental Archaeology, Open-Air Museums, Traditional Crafts, and Cultural Heritage Interpretation. Through collaboration with EXARC colleagues, several projects were implemented that strengthened Āraišu Lake Castle's place in international tourism and experimental archaeology.