Freedom’s Road

From the historical and architectural perspective, this is an interesting monument to urban construction between the 17th and 19th centuries.  Old Liepāja is in the area of the old market and Kuršu Square, where merchants sold their wares beginning in the 1560s.  Until 1792, Kuršu Square was also where punishments were implemented.  The current Pētertirgus pavilion was installed alongside the square in 1910.  A map shows that the network of streets has partly preserved the chaos of street planning that was typical in Medieval towns.

The Karosta prison cannot be described, it must be experienced and survived. That’s an opportunity for everyone. This is the best example in Latvia as to how the military heritage can be used for tourism purposes. Others can learn from this site.

This is a sand dune that is covered with pines and has a monument to soldiers from Company 6 in Rīga, who defended the city in 1919.  It was from this place that the soldiers went into battle against the numerically much larger army of Bermont-Avalov to liberate Rīga and its Pārdaugava neighbourhood.  Created by the sculptor Kārlis Zāle, the monument features a wall facing Slokas Street that is 12 metres tall and is a depiction of the head of a lion that was once part of the gates to Rīga.  The side walls on both sides have bas relief depictions of Ancient Latvians and soldiers from 1919.  Atop the dune is an area with an altar, a sacrificial dish, and a memorial plaque to commemorate those who fell in battle.  The monument was unveiled in 1937 by President Kārlis Ulmanis.

The city of wind, amber and musicians. In the literature sources Liepaja was mentioned for the first time in 1253. The city strived as a trade harbour already at the end of the 16th century. Especially important was the ruling period of Kurzeme Dukes Jacob and Friedrich, when the export and import of Lithuania and Kurzeme goods was provided through Liepaja harbour. Instead of the Līva River that was filled with dune sand a channel was excavated and wharf was formed. The growth of the city continued in the 18th century also after the Northern War and the plague epidemic. When in 1795 Kurzeme was added to the Russian Empire, as one of the most important western harbours of the Empire the harbour of Liepaja developed even more rapidly. From the end of the 18th century until the 19th century Liepaja also became a popular recreation place for the aristocrats of Petersburg. At the end of the 19th century the construction works of War Port and fortress begun. The city became a military strategic place. It suffered hard during World War II. In 1967 the sea trade harbour terminated its operation in Liepaja and Liepaja became a closed city where the War Port was "a city within a city". Today the War Port and its offer is one of the top tourism spots in Latvia.

Lāči brand bread is popular in Latvia and abroad, because the bakery uses ancient mastery and skills. Baking traditions are supervised by 2 master bakers and 4 journeymen. You can take a tour of the bakery, knead and bake your own little loaf of bread, have lunch at a cosy saloon and purchase the bakery’s products. Lāči uses its own ingredients for its dishes, combining them with seasonal products from local farms. The bakery shop offers a wide range of products from bread to confectionery.

Latvian cuisine: Cream of mushroom soup, various hot potted dishes, bread soup, baker’s dessert.

Te plašos aplokos mīt 38 sugu savvaļas dzīvnieki (kiangi, lāči, lūši, vilki, meža cūkas, aļņi, vāveres, plēsīgie putni) un visdažādāko šķirņu mājdzīvnieki – Latvijas zilās, Hailandes un Galovejas govis, Romanovas aitas, Vjetnamas cūkas, pīles, zosis, tītari u.c. Acīgākie dīķos pamanīs retās Eiropas kokvardes. Kalvenes pagasta „Cīruļi” – tā ir lieliska, nesteidzīga atpūta lauku vidē, iepazīstot dzīvo dabu!

Darba laiks no novembra līdz martam: katru dienu no 10:00 – 16:00
Darba laiks no aprīļa līdz oktobrim: katru dienu no 10:00 – 18:00

The monument is at the location where the P100 road to Ozolnieki and Jelgava splits away from the A8 highway.  The monument is dedicated to soldiers from the 6th Rīga Infantry Company who perished or disappeared during battles against the army of Bermont on November 17, 1919, near the former Skuju Elementary School.  The monument was designed by Nikolajs Voits, the bas relief was designed by Mārtiņš Šmalcs, and the consultant for the project was the great sculptor Kārlis Zāle.  The monument was unveiled on October 24, 1937, and restored in 2009.

The first Dnyestr-M radar station was opened here in 1969 to calculate the trajectories of ballistic missiles. The trajectories of satellites were also calculated here. The range of the radar station was 5,000 km. In 1972, construction began on a second, more modern radar, the Dnyepr-M. In 1977, it was ready for use, and the first radar was modernised at the same time. The two radars were located in buildings that were 250 m long and 17 m high. During a 24/hour period, they could identify the height, speed and flight trajectory of up to 750 space objects. In 1985, work began on a third, even more modern radar – the Daryal-YM. This was a radar that could “peek” across the horizon. The antenna building was 117 m high (19 stories), 80 m long and 80 m wide. It had a planned range of 6,000 km, but it was not completed. After the withdrawal of the Russian army in 1995, the building was blown up. That cost LVL 6,172,311 and used up 360 kg of explosives. The territory of the radar stations took up 1,072 hectares, with barracks, a hotel, 551 apartments, a medical facility, a water tower, a war hospital, a bomb shelter, etc. The aim of the facility was to monitor space above Western Europe and North America, as well as to “intercept” any ballistic missiles that were fired at the USSR. The territory is closed to visitors, but it is an important part of Latvia’s military heritage. The abandoned territory can be viewed from the outside. The nearby bus stop is called “Kombināts.” This was the only facility of its kind in the Baltic States.

!!! Since March 2018 the Skrunda army base is closed for visitors.

Found in the centre of Džūkste, the monument that was set up in 1990 was blown up in 1990, and the current one was made from the ruins of the destroyed one.  The monument commemorates troops from the 19th Division of the Latvian Legion who fell during the so-called Christmas battles in 1944.

The wagon commemorates the 2,916 innocent people from Skrunda and the surrounding area who were deported to Siberia in cattle wagons.  It is found at Stacijas Street 1 near the Skrunda railroad station.

An impressive set of military structures between the Baltic Sea and Lake Liepāja and Lake Tosmare.  Construction of the fortress began in the late 19th century on the basis of a decree by Russian Tsar Alexander III, and it cost 45 million gold roubles.  The fortress includes accommodations and elements of fortifications – sites for cannons, trenches, gunpowder cellars, systems of canals, a narrow-gauge rail line, etc.  In 1908, the fortress was shut down because of a change in Russia’s defence concept, and the construction of it was declared to have been a strategic mistake.  There were attempts to blow up the underground structures and cellars during World War I, but that did not really succeed.  Some elements of the fortress were of great importance in Latvia’s liberation battles.  Surviving today are the Northern forts, the Central fort, the Eastern fort, the Southern fort, the shoreline defensive batteries (No. 23, 3), Redāns, Lunete, and others.  Most are not improved, so visits may be dangerous.  The northern part of the fortress includes the Military Port, which has experienced seven different armies and regimes. During the Soviet years, it was closed to civilians.  There are many outstanding monuments to military history.  Tourists love the Karosta prison, which offers educational programmes.

2003.gada decembrī folkloras kopa „Atštaukas” izveidoja folkloras centru „Namīns”, kurā svin svētkus, organizē Jāņu ielīgošanu, Lieldienu iešūpošanu, Miķeļdienas tirgu, Annas dienas Saimnieču svētkus, tautiskos Ziemassvētkus. „Atštaukas” palīdz saglabāt un popularizēt dažādus latviešu tautas godību rituālus, gan kāzu, gan arī bēru tradīcijas. Folkloras centrā „Namīns” darbojas arī skola, kurā bērniem tiek mācīta folklora un tautas tradīcijas.

The church was built between 1742 and 1578 after a design by J.K. Dorn and for the needs of the local German congregation.  The 55 metre steeple was completed only in 1866.  The façade and interior of the church are in the style of late Baroque and Classicism (with elegant Rococo elements inside the church).  The church is known for the organ that was built by H.A. Koncius between 1773 and 1780.  Since a reconstruction in 1885, the instrument has more than 7,000 pipes, 131 registers and four manuals.  It is suggested that it is the largest mechanical organ in the world, and its sound is just wonderful.  Visitors can visit the church, examine the organ and climb the steeple.

The Livonian Order built a castle made of bricks and fieldstones in this location in 1253.  The building measured 72 x 40 metres and had a three-story residential area and a gate tower at its centre.  An entrance for soldiers was installed at the height of the second floor of the fortified wall during the 14th century, with barriers and four bastions installed during the 16th and 17th century.  Legend has it that the daughter of a knight was bricked into the wall and that there was once a secret underground passage to the Lutheran church that is 200 metres away.  The park includes the “Ancient Seashore” promenade, featuring plaques with quotes from Zenta Mauriņa and Jānis Rainis.

This is a unique opportunity to watch the work of various craftspeople (amber workers, jewellers, weavers, seamstresses, etc.) and purchase their masterful work. You will see the world’s longest amber necklace (123 m, 19 kg!!), which was made with bits of amber that were contributed by local residents. Creative workshops are organised for children.

This is a unique opportunity to watch the work of various craftspeople (amber workers, jewellers, weavers, seamstresses, etc.) and purchase their masterful work. You will see the world’s longest amber necklace (123 m, 19 kg!!), which was made with bits of amber that were contributed by local residents. Creative workshops are organised for children.

Dobele name in historical sources for the first time is mentioned in1254. Dobele was one of the most fortified Semigallian places; therefore from 1279 until 1289 it survived six attacks by German crusaders. In 1289 Semigallians was forced to retreat. In 1335 conquerors instead of Semigallian castle began construction of new - stone castle. On the opposite shore of Berze - on the left bank merchants and craftsmen village began to form. Town suffered greatly during the Northern War and during the subsequent plague. A significant event in the economic life was the 1927, when Liepaja-Gludas railway line was built. After World War II in Dobele and its vicinity came to the Soviet militaries, who built one of the largest Soviet tanks range "Dobele-2". Now Dobele travellers are offered a range of interesting sites to be visited.

The most significant period for the town is the time from 1561 to 1795, when the Jelgava district is a part of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale. When Jelgava obtains the status of residence of the Duke of (1567t) and becomes the capital of the Duchy (1616) a rapid urban development begins, which is highest of during the reign of Duke Jacob. During the reign of last two Dukes of Courland - Ernst Johann Biron and his son Peter (1775) St. Peter's Academy (Academia Petrina) - the first Latvian Institute is founded, in 1816 is founded Courland Society of Literature and Art, in 1822 the first newspaper in Latvian "The Latvian newspaper" is published, in 1802 the first Latvian theatre building is built, but in 1898- the first building intended for museum. In 1937 Latvian agriculture camera is located in the Jelgava palace, but after two years Jelgava Agriculture Academy is opened. Nearly all the town's historic buildings and art treasures perished in the summer of 1944. After the World War II, Jelgava was rebuilt. Recently the Trinity Church tower has been restored, in which now is located one of the best Latvian interactive museums (very friendly for families with children).

On the right bank of the Bērze River and in the western part of Dobele, the castle hill and its fortified forecastle were occupied between the 10th and 13th centuries, with an ancient town at its foot (currently the square between Tērvetes Street and the Liepāja highway).  As was common, the Livonian Order used this ancient Semigallian castle hill to build a brick castle between 1335 and 1347.  The castle was sacked during the 18th century, and its fairly impressive and beautiful ruins have been conserved.  A viewing platform is part of the charm.

Farm "Puteni" features fowl and pets, as well as a hike “along the path of Baron von Behr.” The owners teach visitors about traditional annual rituals, including the preparation of caraway seed cheese and other Latvian dishes.

The norther part of the Liepāja fortress includes the so-called military port, which was opened to the public after the restoration of Latvia’s independence.  The forts, defensive batteries, the Orthodox Sea Cathedral of St Nicholas, a water tower, a sports hall, the port’s prison, the northern breakwater, and the rotating bridge of Oskars Kalpaks are all interesting destinations.

The rock is in the square outside the Skrunda Cultural Centre.  It was installed in 2005 in honour of the victory of Col Oskars Kalpaks and his battalion over the Bolsheviks.  During the Latvian liberation battles, on January 22, 1919, the Bolsheviks occupied Skrunda.  Kalpaks’ battalion headed toward the town on January 29 from the Rudbārži Estate.  After a three-hour battle, the victory was won, with the battalion taking over a strategic line near the banks of the Venta River.   This was the first victory for Kalpaks’ men after many retreats, and that inspired the rest of the liberation battles.

The late Baroque and early Classicism building was commissioned by Duke Peter Byron of Courland and Zemgale, and it was built between 1773 and 1776 on the basis of a design by a Danish architect.  It was the castle of Duchess Anna.  The first university in Latvia, Academia Petrina was established here in 1775 and named after Duke Peter.  The first observatory was installed at the academy in 1772, and a high school was in the building during the age of the Russian Empire.  Among graduates are distinguished Latvians such as Krišjānis Barons, Jānis Alunāns and Jānis Čakste, as well as the Lithuanian Antanas Smetona.  The Jelgava Museum of History and Art took over the building in 1952, and in 1975 it was named after the Old Master Ģederts Eliass (1887-1975).  The exhibition speaks to the history of the city and surrounding area during and after the period of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale.  Outside the impressive building are four cannons from the period of the duchy, as well as monument to Eliass that was designed in 1987 by the sculptor Jānis Zariņš.  Another monument, “Lāčplēsis and the Black Knight,” was designed by the sculptor Kārlis Jansons and commemorates the liberators of Jelgava.

The birthplace of Latvia’s first prime minister and, later, president, Kārlis Ulmanis (1877-1942) was turned into a museum in 1993.  The homestead has undergone unbelievable transformation during the past two decades.  The landscape has been cleaned up, and buildings that were lost or were in poor shape have been rebuilt.  There are a house, an ancillary building, a cattle shed and barn and a granary.  The exhibition focuses on the life of Ulmanis, featuring an impressive collection of agricultural equipment and instruments, including Latvia’s largest wooden butter churn.

“Airītes” is a museum found at the place where the first commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, Col Oskars Kalpaks and other Latvian soldiers (including three officers) fell during a battle on March 6, 1919.  The public donated money in 1920 to build a monument, and it was unveiled on September 3, 1922.  In 1935, work began on a building that was proposed by the Col Kalpaks Battalion organisation, the plan being to exhibit items related to Kalpaks’ battles.  It was opened a year later.  The monument was destroyed during the Soviet era, and the building housed a post office and some flats.  The memorial was restored during the national Renaissance in 1988 and 1989, and on November 11, 1990, the museum was reopened.  During renovations in 2007, the second floor burned down.  The museum and exhibition were renewed in 2013.  The exhibits speak to Kalpaks’ life during World War I and Latvia’s liberation battles.  Employees regularly organise commemorative events in honour of Kalpaks, as well as celebrations of Lāčplēsis (Veterans’) Day.

The exhibit features information about the history of the Džūkste and Lestene parishes, as well as the events and consequences of World War II.  Donations are requested from those who visit the museum.