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This village appears in historical documents from 1310. A census in 1582 and 1583 recorded eight farms in the village, while a 1731 census conducted by the Dundaga Estate found only three. In 1826, each farm had 16 or 17 people, with some 60 in total. A census in 1935 showed that all 49 Livonians in Saunags spoke the Lithuanian language, but only 11 of them spoke the language at home. There was a store that was owned by Kārlis Tilmanis, who also owned a factory where sprats were salted. Also born in Saunags was the seafaring captain Arvīds Ludeviks (1912-1996). In May 1945, he captained a tugboat, the Rota, in an attempt to bring Latvian refugees to Sweden. The ship was detained, and the captain was sent to Siberia. Another seafaring captain from Saunags was Visvaldis Feldmanis (1938-2017). |
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Madonas centrālais laukums, kas vēl 20. gs. sākumā bija tirgus laukums. Pēc apjomīgās restaurācijas tas ir kļuvis par ievērības cienīgu pilsētvides objektu. Laukuma ziemeļu pusē atrodas pilsētas un novada pašvaldība un Madonas novada TIC. |
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Plavinas and Stukmani region was inhabited already in the third century. During the Polish-Swedish War (1600-1629) at estuary of Aivekste in the Daugava River the Swedish war camp was formed, from which are preserved fortifications - bastions. They are one of the most impressive military formations of this kind in Latvia. Plavinas as a larger populated area started to develop in the nineties of the 19th century and in the beginning of 20th century after the construction of railway. Today Plavinas are more commonly known with dolomite production sites and spring flood area. |
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It is believed that at the Kezberkalnins of Limbazi has been Lemisele castle of Metsepole Liv district. It is also found in the reports that merchants travelled to this place from the sea by Svētupe and Dunezers until the 16th century. In 1223 Bishop Albert built a stone castle in Limbazi. Like Valmiera, Limbazi became the member of Hanseatic League. At the beginning of 16th century it economic role declined significantly since Svētupe and Dunezers became unusable for shipping. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the town and its people suffered from wars, diseases and fires. As a result, the population reached its utmost fall - eight people. In the turn of 19th and 20th century and in the beginning of 20th century the economic life of the town was renewed. |
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Ligatne history is inextricably linked to Ligatne paper mill. At the end 19th century and beginning of 20th century here was built houses, schools, maternity homes, hospitals, clubs, guest houses and other buildings for workers that have survived to the present. During the Soviet period Ligatne mill produced mainly school exercise books, which was sent to all the Soviet republics. Nowadays, the main raw material is recovered paper used for production of wrapping paper. Ligatne paper mill is the only one functioning Latvian company of this kind, and it can be explored with a local guide. Historic centre of Ligatne paper mill has been awarded the status of cultural monument. In the northern part of Ligatne - Gauja river bank the only functioning Gauja river ferry can be found and the only river ferry in the Baltic States, which is powered by river current. The ferry is vehicle of local scale. In the west of Ligatne, Ligatne nature trails are located; where close to natural environment conditions (the best object of this type in the Baltic States) lives red deer, roe deer, wild boar, fox and lynx. Within the territory of Ligatne nature trail a dense network of hiking trails and paved road - cycling route has been created, during the winter it becomes a cross-country ski track. A modern visitor centre is available here. East of Ligatne at Ligatne rehabilitation centre a unique place on the Europen scale can be found - a former Soviet secret bunker that was built as the main living and working place of Latvian senior military and civilian persons in case the nuclear or chemical weapons were used. Bunker was opened in 2003; therefore it remained intact to this day. On the way from Augsligatne to Ligatne go to see Vienkoci Park, where you can explore boats made of single wood peace by the creator of Park Richard Vidzicka, look at the different building models, sand home, and participate in themed activities. |
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Name of Ainazi is an integral part of the Latvian maritime history. The first Naval School, which was able to learn the Latvian peasant children, was established here in 1864. Naturally - Ainazi became an important Latvian coastal shipbuilding centre and port. Economic life of the town was also facilitated by the opening of Smiltene -Valmiera-Ainazi narrow-gauge railway line in1913. Today Ainazi is a small and quiet town on the Latvian - Estonian border with a number of interesting sightseeing objects. |
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Renda is a very old town, first mentioned in historical sources in 1230. During the 13th century, Renda was one of the centres of the ancient Courlandian land of Vanema. When Courland was split up in 1235, Renda was taken over by the German Order, and local residents were forcibly drafted into its military. During the age of the Duchy of Courland (1562-1795), the region flourished despite wars, the bubonic plague and other problems, particularly during the rule of Duke Jacob (1642-1682). During the 17th century, Renda became something of a manufacturing centre, churning out timber products, with local lime kilns, watermills, flax weaving facilities, a glass factory and a boiling house for saltpetre and soap. Wine, perfumes and barrels were produced in Renda, as was cast iron for nails and many other things. The court at the Jelgava Castle loved the sour wines from Renda. All of this was destroyed during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). During the 19th century, a chemicals factory was built on the site of the burned Renda castle, and nearby was one of the largest leather tanning plants in Kurzeme, along with a manufacturing facility for turpentine. Cultural life began to develop in parallel to this. Renda suffered much during the two world wars and the subsequent Soviet repressions. The so-called Courelian Battalion of partisans went into the forests after the occupation to continue their struggle against the Soviet regime. Renda today is a small and quiet village with the Lielrenda Estate, a local church, the “devil’s boat” at the Abava River, and the Īvande waterfalls. |
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Formed on the left side of river Emajõgi, in the valley of Doma Hill. The centre of The Old Town of Tartu is Town Hall Square with Town Hall and the fountain "The Kiss of the Students" (symbol of the city). |
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Materials of archaeological excavations show that the Ogre river banks were inhabited by the Livs. Ogre as a larger populated area and a major resort developed after the construction of Riga-Daugavpils railway in 1861. Until the World War I about 300 cottages offered their services in Ogre, most of them were destroyed during the war. The next "major" event took place 1965 when one of the largest knitwear plants in Europe was built in Ogre, which was staffed by guest workers from Vietnam and countries. Today, Ogre has still not recovered its glory of a resort, but has become a rather exclusive site of mostly low-rise residential buildings. |
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Palūšē atrodas nacionālā parka administrācija (izveidota neliela ekspozīcija) un tūrisma informācijas centrs, kempings, nesen atjaunotā laivu bāze un viens no biežāk apmeklētajiem parka objektiem – Palūšes baznīca (Palūšės bažnyčia), kas celta 1757. gadā. 2008. g. No dievnama apkārtnes paveras jauks skats uz Lūšu (Lūšiai) ezeru, īpaši saulrietos, kad baznīca iegūst teiksmainu nokrāsu. Blakus baznīcas žogam aug vecais Palūšes ozols. Uzskata, ka tā vecums varētu būt ~ 350 – 400 gadi. |
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One of the oldest towns in Latvia, about which data can be found already beginning from 1378. As a populated area it formed at the banks of the Tebra River (the side of Riga-Prussia road), where once the fortified wooden castle Beida of the Cours Land Bandava was located. In the medieval times Aizpute was the centre of Kurzeme bishopric. After joining Kurzeme to Russia in 1795, Jews settled for living in Aizpute. Today travellers in Aizpute are most attracted by the ancient city environment that is still alive here, as well as by the historical centre of the city and the castle ruins. |
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Arī 18. novembra laukums. Tas sācis veidoties 18. gadsimtā kā tirgus laukums. Tā dominantes bija 1752. g. celtais rātsnams (nav saglabājies) un aptieka, kas šajā ēkā darbojas no 1810. g. līdz pat mūsdienām. 2010. gadā laukumā izveidota strūklaka, kam ir pilsētas ģerboņa forma. |
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For the first time Valmiera is mentioned in the historical sources in 1323. Until the 13th century this place was in the composition of Talava, inhabited by Latgalians. Construction of Valmiera medieval castle began in the beginning of the 13th century, but in 1283, between the Gauja River and Rate River towered church. Location near to the Tartu-Pskov and Novgorod trade routes greatly facilitated the economic development of the populated area. During the 14th-16th century Valmiera was a part of the Hanseatic League. It suffered greatly from wars, epidemics and fires in 16th to 18th century. In the second half of the 19th century the economic boom started again. It was also facilitated by the building of wooden bridge across the Gauja in 1866 and Riga-Pskov railway opened in 1899. Historic centre is destroyed in 1944. During post-war years, large industrial companies such as - Valmiera glass fiber factory (to this day) are opeating in the town. Today, Valmiera is economic, educational and sports centre of Vidzeme. |
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This is an urban construction monument that was created between the 17th and 19th century, and it is of national importance. The street layout around Jelgavas and Rātūža streets forms closed blocks of buildings. There are Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox and Baptist churches in Jaunjelgava. One of the most outstanding architectural monuments is City Hall, which was built in 1912 and features Art Nouveau forms. None of the city’s five synagogues has survived. The historical centre of Jaunjelgava features a promenade that runs along the banks of the Daugava River. This is a popular place for strolls, leisure and swimming. |
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To the south of Koknese, the Destiny Garden is on an island that is surrounded by the waters of the Pļaviņas hydroelectric power plant (there is a bridge to the shore). The aim of this fundamental open-air object was to commemorate people in Latvia who suffered because of totalitarian regimes. The first work here began in 2008, and the designer of the landscape was a Japanese landscape architect, Shunmyo Masuno. Work on the garden continues, but it is already a popular tourist destination. The first permanent structure is a terrace that offers a view of the Koknese castle ruins and the local Lutheran church. This means that there will be something new each time that people visit the park. People are invited to bring rocks for this nationally important location that commemorates Latvia’s history. |
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1275 is considered as a year of foundation of Daugavpils. This is the time when the Master of Livonian Order Ernst von Ratceburgs built Dinaburg castle at the Naujene hill fort. It suffered several Lithuanian and Russian invasion until in 1577 the castle was destroyed by Russian troops under the command of Ivan the Terrible. After this event Dinaburg was restored 17 km further on the right bank of the river, where now the town of Daugavpils is located. From 1810-1833a new fortress was built. In 1826 started the building of what is now the historic centre of the town. During the World War I the major industrial companies with workers were evacuated to Russia. During first Latvian Republic, the cultural life in Daugavpils flourished. Most part of the town was destroyed during World War II – in the July of 1944. Nowadays the town is the second largest town in Latvia and is an important economical centre of Latgale historic region. Restoration of Daugavpils Fortress was launched recently; this project can be considered as a unique on the European scale. |
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This village is at the place where the Irbe (Dižirve, Īra) River flows into the sea, and it is on both shores of the river (sea side and land side). The name of Irbe was recorded for the first time in a 1310 border agreement between the bishop of Kurzeme and the Rīga Dome Capitol. The name of Lielirbe (Irvemūnde) was recorded for the first time in a document from an arbitration court in 1387. At the end of the 19th century, the small port at Lielirbe was an active centre for the sale and transport of timber materials. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the largest number of sailing ships among villages on the western shore of Kurzeme was built there. In 1939, the village had some 300 residents, more than 70 houses and a Baptist church which is now at the Ventspils Open Air Museum. A narrow-gauge railroad passed through the village, which had a post and telegraph office, two grocery stores, an elementary school, a choir and a brass band. Lielirbe was one of the largest villages to disappear after World War II. Cultural historian Valda Marija Šuvcāne (1923-2007) was born in Lielirbe, and her daughter, Baiba Šuvcāne, is continuing her mother's work by writing important papers about life along the Livonian coastline. By 2019, a bridge is to be reinstalled across the Irbe River. |
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The Capital of Lithuania. One of the biggest East Europe's old towns (included in UNESCO World's Cultural Heritage list) where there is a lot of representation of various architecture styles like Classicism, Baroque, Gothique, etc. |
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Jaunciems has always been a small village, and only a few homes are populated today. Nearby there are leisure locations on the right bank of the Irbe River. Jaunciems is linked to Sīkrags by the former tracks of the narrow-gauge train. There is also a bridge for hikers and bicyclists. |
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Das bekannteste Museum der Geschichte der Bienenzucht Litauens mit den Bienenhäusern verschidener Arte, der Arbeitsmittel der Bienenzüchter, Holzskulpturen und Hönigankauf. |
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