The Southern Vidzeme Milk Tour

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Foto	Name	Beschreibung
	WEINGUT LIBERTU Object Inactive	Dieser Betrieb ist der einzige Ort in Lettland, wo die Besucher während der Führung mit der Gewinnung und Verwendung von Birken- und Ahornsäften bekanntgemacht werden. Aus Birkensaft werden hier verschiedene Produkte erzeugt: Sirup, Wein, Brause und der starke Birkensaft (Schnaps). Hier kann man die erzeugten Produkte, frischen oder gefrorenen Birkensaft, sowie einen umweltfreundlichen Satz für die Gewinnung von Birkensaft kaufen.
	A partisan dugout at Veseta	National partisans commanded by Rihards Pārups were very active during World War II between Vietalva and Jaunkalsnava. The team was disbanded in 1946. The dugout is at a location that is hard to find and access. It is in the nature reserve of the Veseta Wetlands Swamp. The wood pathway that leads from the East is often hidden by reeds during the summer. During the fierce winter of 2010, the roof of the dugout collapsed, but local enthusiasts plan to reconstruct it. Alongside the dugout is a white cross inscribed with the names of the partisans who lost their lives here.
	Das Heimat – und Kunstmuseum von Madona	Eins der ältesten Museen von Vidzeme, dessen interessantesten Ausstellungsstücke Funde aus der mittleren und jüngeren Eisenzeit sind, ein Teil davon kommt aus der Gegend des Sees von Lubāna. Die Museumsbetreiber organisieren thematische Ausstellungen, die mit der Kulturgeschichte der Gegend in Zusammenhang stehen, und auch Kunstausstellungen. Das Museum befindet sich in den historischen Gebäuden des ehemaligen Biržu Gutshofes.
	The IKS Park	The IKS Park organisation offers rural joy, playing around and relaxing at the edge of a forest. Visitors can engage in crafts, learn about medicinal plants from Latvia in an interactive way and also learn about the properties of same. There are two different territories. One is an open-air exhibition of medicinal plants, with six beds of various plants. Visitors are invited to stroll through the garden and learn about plants that might be useful and appropriate for them. There is also room for mini-football, a barefoot trail, an “ant trail” that is a relay race with various steps, a pergola and a class to teach about nature. Second, there is a small farm with workshops and a mini zoo. Under a large canopy or in a cosy fireplace hall, visitors can try their hand at traditional and modern Latvian crafts. There is also a chance to play various games, some of which are quite ancient, indeed. Master craftsmen at the farm offer practical activities that allow visitors to produce their own souvenirs. Class topics include weaving of blankets from plants, jewellery making, soap making, grinding of flour, etc.
	The Sveki rabbit garden	This is the most modern rabbit farm in the Baltic States. The animals live in cages in a shed, but there are also cages outside where they can be viewed. Children will love contacts with 24 types of rabbits, as well as an opportunity to study the surrounding area from a viewing tower. If you apply in advance, you can purchase fresh rabbit meat, sausages, dried meats and pâté. A new thing at the farm is the Mangalicas breed of wild pigs from Hungary.
	SIA „Malpils piensaimnieks” (GmbH)	Die erste Molkerei von Malpils wurde 1923 gegründet. Dort wurde Butter und Käse hergestellt. In den 70-en Jahren des vorigen Jahrhunderts wurde hier angefangen, den ersten weichen Frischkäse in Lettland „Mālpils” herzustellen. Eine vorherige Vereinbarung ist notwendig für eine Betriebsbesichtigung mit der Verkostung der Erzeugnisse. Käsespezialitäten kann man vor Ort kaufen – im Lebensmittellager.
	Ziegenkäse-Bauernhof LIVI	Einer der größten Hersteller der Produkte der Ziegenzucht in Lettland. Es werden ~ 160 rassereine Ziegen (Alpenziegen, Anglo Nubier Ziege, Weiße Deutsche Edelziege) und Hauseber (für die Zuchtarbeit) gezüchtet. Exkursion und Teilnahme an die Ziegen-Beweidung. Von März an kann man die Ziegenkitze anschauen. Verkostung von verschiedenen Käsespezialitäten, Schaumelken (ab 17:00). Verkostung und Erwerb von Fleischkonserven. Produkte ohne Konservierungsstoffe!
	Hof „Mezdruvas”	Exkursionen zum Hof. Man kann Ziegen, Pferde, Kaninchen, Hausgeflügel und Haustiere anschauen. Die Besucher können sich auch fürs therapeutische Reiten anmelden, Pferd reiten, Ponyreiten oder mit einer Pferdekutsche fahren. Erwerb von Ziegenmilchprodukten: Milch, Käse, Quark, Kefir und Joghurt.
	The Aizkraukle castle ruins	Found on the right bank of the Daugava where the little Karikste river flows into the Daugava, all that remains of the castle today is a set of ruined walls and foundations. The castle was built by the Livonian Order in 1224, and it was inhabited until the mid-17^th century, when it was sacked during the Polish-Swedish war. The ruins offer a good view of the local gravel road that goes along the right bank of the river valley.
	The Koknese Estate	All that remains today is the governor’s house in which the Latvian author Rūdolfs Blaumanis (1863-1908) lived from 1885 until 1887, and a stable built of fieldstones. The Central Daugava Forestry Centre of the Latvian State Forests company is located in the building. The stone gates of the Koknese High School where once the gates of the estate. The buildings can mostly be viewed from the outside.
	The Aizkraukle Lutheran Church	A bit less than one kilometre from the Aizkraukle castle hill, the church can be seen from the Rīga-Daugavpils highway (A6). The church was built in 1688 on the steep banks of the Daugava River Valley, and old Daugavpils road can still be spotted. Between 1896 and 1899 the church was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic forms. Inside is an important altar painting by Augusts Annuss, “Lord Help Us, We are Sinking.” There are memorials to local people such as Col Jorģis Zemitāns and Archbishop Arnolds Lūsis. A legend says that the steeple of the church is crooked because it was hit by a German military plane during World War II.
	Der Gutshof Bikseres muiza	Der Weg, der nach Biksere führt, erinnert an eine schmale Bergstraße mit einem tiefen Graben eines kleinen Flusses. Der frühere Namen von Biksere war Libes muiža (auch Lybei Hoff, Lybienhoff), die heute noch erhaltenen Gebäude gehörtem dem Gutsherrn Magnus. Der neogothische Turm des Herrenhauses wird in Kunstkenner-Kreisen als architektonische Kuriosität bezeichnet. Im Herrenhaus ist der Sitz der Gemeindeverwaltung von Sarkaņi. In der ehemaligen Scheune hat der Kunstliebhaber Andris Trečaks seine Antiquitätensammlung ausgestellt. Von der Scheune aus hat man einen wunderbar weiten Blick auf die tiefer gelegene Ebene von Lubāna.
	Ziegenhof "Lielgrodes"	Eine Herde mit ungefähr 200 Ziegen. Der Wirt erzählt mit ein wenig Humor über das Leben mit Ziegen in Lettland und in Europa, über Herstellung des Ziegenkäses und über Geschmacksgeheimnisse, sowie bietet eine Käseverkostung an, nach der man Käse kaufen kann. Die auf diesem Hof hergestellten Käse sind nicht nur gesund, sondern auch sehr köstlich.
	Das Andrejs Pumpurs Museum in Lievarde	Befindet sich im Park von Lielvārde, in der Anfang des 19.Jh. erbauten Scheune des Herrenhauses Lielvārde, die später auch als Wohngebäude genutzt worden war. 1922 war eine Veranda angebaut worden. Das Museum befindet sich in diesem Gebäude seit 1970 und in dessen Sammlung gibt es Materialien über das lettische Volksepos “Lāčplēsis“(der Bärenzerreißer) und dessen Autor Andrejs Pumpurs (1841-1902), sowie über die Geschichte und die Ethnografie des Kreises Lielvārde. Neben dem Museum liegt ein großer Stein – das Bett des Lāčplēsis (etwa 80t) und ein Bruchstück, das „die Decke des Lāčplēsis“ genannt wird. Beide Steine befanden sich einst in der Daugava, neben der Insel von Lielvārde, über die heute die Wasser des Kraftwerkes fließen. Direkt daneben kann man den Holzklotz der Spīdala sehen, der von Aizkraukle hierher gebracht worden war.
	Das Museum für Geschichte und Kunst „Kalna Ziedi“ (Bergblüten) in Aizkraukle	Das 1973 gegründete Museum befindet sich seit 1989 an der Stelle des Einzelhofes „Kalna Ziedi“. Das Gebäude, in dem sich die Dauerausstellung befindet, ist 1989 auf dem bestehenden Fundament des Wohnhauses gebaut, das Gebäude der Sammlung (1990) auf dem Fundament der Ställe. Der Raum für die wechselnden Ausstellungen (Jahr 2000) entstand an der Stelle der Scheune. Von dem ehemaligen Einzelhof ist somit also nur der Keller erhalten, die Anordnung der Gebäude entspricht jedoch der Planung eines Einzelhofes in Vidzeme (Livland). Die Sammlung des Museums ist der Geschichte der Umgebung seit der Steinzeit gewidmet. Unter freiem Himmel sind Bienenstöcke mit Kennzeichen der Besitzer zu sehen und auch in Lettland recht seltene Ringkreuze, die mittelalterliche Grabsteine waren. 100m nordöstlich des Museums ist der Kalna Ziedu - (Bergblüte -) Burghügel zu sehen, 200m südlich die Reste des Stammes einer Opfereiche (abgestorben 1994), am Ufer des Staubeckens des Wasserkraftwerkes von Pļaviņas. Von hier aus hat man einen weiten Ausblick über den Damm des Wasserkraftwerkes und auf die Stadt Pļavinas.
	Der Keramiker Janis Seiksts	Besucher können eine Töpferwerkstatt kennenlernen, dem Meister bei seiner Arbeit zuschauen, versuchen selbst etwas zu formen, Tonprodukte, unter anderem auch Gartendekors aus Keramik, erwerben und einen schönen Garten bewundern.
	The Ogre Museum of History and Art	Located in a cultural centre at Brīvības Street 15 in Ogre, the museum was established in 1980 and has a permanent exhibition, “Ogre – a Swimming and Air Spa, Relaxation and Everyday Life, 1920-1940,” which offers a good look at the “golden age” of Ogre, when it was a popular spa. Another exhibition, “Legendary Ogre” offers a different view. Visit the museum to find out what it is!
	Braki, Museum des Schriftstellers Rudolfs Blaumanis	Das Museum ist der Ort, wo der lettische Novellenschreiber und der Begründer der modernen Dramatik Rūdolfs Blaumanis (1863 –1908) gewohnt und gearbeitet hat. Das Einzelgehöft Braki ist ein erneuerter, der Region Vidzeme typischer Hof mit acht Gebäuden aus Holz, der einem Pächter (Bauer) gehörte. Die Besucher können hier an Bildungsprogrammen und Führungen (Familienfesten, ländlichen Arbeiten, thematischen Führungen) teilnehmen und den lettischen Brei des Hofes Braki, Pfannkuchen von Silmači, Tee und Wein genießen.
	Schloss Cesvaine	Schloss Cesvaine ist eines der schönsten Schlösser Lettlands (stilistisch dem historischen Eklektizismus zugehörig), sein Besitzer Adolph von Wulf hatte es seiner Frau geschenkt. Es wurde nach einem Projekt der Architekten Hans Grisebach und August Dinklage in den Jahren 1893 bis 1896 erbaut. Nach einem verheerenden Brand ist das Schloss nun in neuer Qualität „wiedergeboren“. Am Ufer des Flüsschens Sula erstreckt sich der Park von Cesvaine, dort gibt es auch einen ehemaligen Burghügel, der heute mit Wald bewachsen ist. Hier ist die Grabstätte des Schlossherrn Adolph von Wulf. Es lohnt sich, das Schloss in Begleitung eines Führers zu besuchen. Die Umbauarbeiten für das Dach der Burg Cesvaine wurden abgeschlossen. Das Schloss steht Besuchern in Begleitung von Spezialisten des Tourismuszentrums Cesvaine telefonisch zur Verfügung. 26172637 oder Pils Street 2. Im Frühjahr 2020 werden die Bauarbeiten fortgesetzt und das Schloss ist möglicherweise vorübergehend für Besucher nicht verfügbar. Informationen zu Änderungen www.cesvaine.lv
	Das Lebensmittelkombinat von Skriveri.	Das erste Unternehmen, das 1957 die Produktion der beliebten Milch-Bonbons „Gotiņa“aufnahm. Hier kann man köstliche Bonbons erwerben und auch an einer Führung teilnehmen, der Inhaber des Unternehmens ist zugleich der Haupt- Bonbonmeister.
	The Ragares farm	The farm is along the upper reaches of the Daugava Ancient River Valley, and it offers more than 100 types of plants, including decorative plants, herbs, medicinal plants and traditional Latvian farm plants. You can tour the largest field of so-called Northern kiwis in Latvia. Take a tour, purchase plants, taste teas, fruits and berries, and receive consultations from the owner.
	The “Skriveru majas saldejums” café	The family enterprise (formed in 2006) makes home-made ice-cream from fruit and berries. They make both classical – such as plombieres, cream, joghurt ice-creams and sorbets and nowadays cuisine’s „miracle”- sprat, blue cheese, horse-radish and potato ice-cream with tomato sauce. Till now 80 different ice-cream recipes have been tried. If you book a visit beforehand, you can have an excursion and learn everything about the process of making ice-cream from the chefs themselves. In the cafe it is possible to try different ice-cream dishes – each one with a different ice-cream sauce. The cafe also welcomes pets! Special foods: Horseradish ice cream with herring.
	The Cesvaine Lutheran Church	Found in the northern part of Cesvaine, the church was built of fieldstones in the Neo-Gothic style in 1879 by the architect Paul Max Bertschy. The church was restored in 1929 and again in the early 1990s. The altar painting, “Christ on the Cross” (1923) is by Jēkabs Bīne.
	A viewing tower in Spakovskis Park	The tower is on one side of the range of hills known as Grantskalni (a continuation of the Blue hills of Ogre), and it offers a broad view of the Daugava River valley and the Pārogre residential district. The dendrology park that is nearby is worth a visit, because it is rich with different kinds of plants.
	Lazdonas Dairy	The company produces butter, cream, cottage cheese, cottage cheese products, yoghurt and desserts, using high-quality milk that comes from more than 100 local farms and three co-operatives. Technological processes are observed and improved during the manufacturing process so that the product retains its value in terms of taste and nutrition. Tourists are welcome, and tastings are available. This is one of five companies in Latvia that can produce “Summer Solstice” cheese as an EU guaranteed traditional product. The company’s products also have the “Green Teaspoon” quality mark.
	Cesvaines Dairy	There are ancient cheese-making traditions in Cesvaine, where the Cesvaines Dairy was established on the basis of the historical Cesvaine Estate dairy operation. The company produces butter, cottage cheese, cheese, home cheese and soured cream. The “Pie Arkas” store that is alongside the dairy sells those products.
	Liktendarzs Garden	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.
	The Kalsnava arboretum	This arboretum is in a lovely location in the Vidzeme highlands. It covers 140 hectares of land and offers a look at interesting coniferous trees, lianas, lilacs, rhododendrons and peonies. The facility has a modern visitor information centres. Unique species: The Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), the Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus), and the Kobushi Magnolia (Magnolia kobus).
	The Uldevens Castle	The artist Agris Liepiņš was the initiator of the project to recreate a 12th-century Ancient Latvian wooden castle. The building was erected in 1997 on the basis of samples from the remnants of castles found at various castle hills in Latvia. This is an idealised version of the residence of Uldevens, who was once the senior official of the Lielvārde region.
	Beekeeping farm LIENAS MEDUS	A family-owned company that cares for a clean environment, organic produce and design. Offers tours in the bee apiary and farm, tasting.
	The Lielvarde Lutheran Church	Located in the Lielvārde Park and alongside the Andrejs Pumpurs Museum, the church was restored in 1932 on the foundations of a church that was built in 1747 and bombarded during World War I. Inside the church are several artistic monuments, including the altar, the pulpit, the pews and an altar painting by Kārlis Miesnieks, “Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane” (1939). On the eastern wall of the church is a stone cross that has partly sunk into the ground. Specialists believe that it is an old gravestone.
	The Cesvaine Castle	The Cesvaine Castle is one of Latvia’s most beautiful castles. Built in the style of Eclecticism, it is said to have been presented by its owner, Adolf von Wulff, to his wife. The castle was built between 1893 and 1896. On the banks of the Sūla River alongside the castle is the Cesvaine Park, including the afforested Cesvaine castle hill. The Cesvaine castle roof reconstruction is complete! Visitors may tour the castle accompanied by a Cesvaine Tourism Centre guide. Restoration of the castle interior will ccontinue throughout 2020. Periodic closure of the castle can be expected. Please phone in advance to arrange a visit T. +371 26172637. For more information visit www.cesvaine.lv
	An Energy Museum exhibition at the Plavinas hydroelectric power plant	This exhibition features the Pļaviņas hydroelectric power plant as a unique architectural building with unique engineering elements. It is the largest producer of electricity in the Baltic States and one of the largest in Europe. The exhibition speaks to the construction of the plant and major aspects of its operations. There is a model of the plant, as well as various types of equipment that are used to ensure its operations. Visitors will see a diver's suit, as well as various documents and photographs about the operations and reconstruction of the plant, the history of Aizkraukle, and the lives of people who worked at the plant. Tours are available of the machine room of the plant, a look at the plant from a viewing platform, and a chance to learn more about the buildings as such.
	Kokneses parks	Established in 1900 at the place where the Pērse River flows into the Daugava (now the reservoir of the Pļaviņas hydroelectric power plant), the park offers a look at 17^th century Swedish cannons and monuments from Medieval graves. Next to the high school in the park is a restored fountain, “Head of a Faun,” which was near the legendary Pērse waterfall during the 1930s. The waterfall is now underwater, but its location is indicated by a stone sculpture, “Girl of Pērse,” which was created by the sculptor Juris Zihmanis. A path leads to an 11 metre high wooden sculpture, “For Eternity,” by the sculptor Ģirts Burvis, and another sculpture, “Little Owl,” which is the work of the Rurāns brothers, both of whom are sculptors of wooden sculptures.
	Bakuzi Hill	The area known as the territory of high hillocks has several heights – Lakta Hill (250 metres above sea level), Egļu Hill (268 metres above sea level), and Bākūži Hill (272 metres above sea level). They are connected by an earthen road – it’s worth hiking the trail to find the best viewing areas. A very fine view of the backs of hillocks in the Vidzeme highlands can be seen from the northern side of Lakta Hill.
	The ruins of the Koknese Castle	The ruins of the Koknese Castle are found where the Daugava and Pērse rivers flow together. The castle, which is on a floodplain, was built for the bishopric of Rīga in 1209, and it replaced an ancient Latvian castle that was made of wood. The castle was blown up by Saxon forces in 1701. A visitors centre is near the ruins, and there you can carve a Medieval coin or rent a boat to sail down the Daugava. Make sure to stroll through the Koknese park, which is alongside the ruins.
	The Skriveri arboretum	This is the oldest arboretum in Latvia. It was planned by the owner of the Skrīveri Estate, Maximmilian von Sievers (1857-1919). It has to be said that before World War I, there were two times more species of plants in the park than is the case now. The plants are grouped in accordance with the geo-botanic regions of the world. There are trails in the park, and signs showing the Latvian and Latin name of each plant are there, as well. There’s a fountain which is operated from every hour on the hour from 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM from Tuesday until Sunday. On the other side of the Rīga-Daugavpils highway is the Skrīveri Forest Park with hiking trails.
	The Dimantu kalns wild animal park	Some 200 fallow deer live in large paddocks at the park, and the largest deer sorting facility in the Baltic States is right next door. You can look at the animals from up close. The owner organises educational camps for children and offers consultations on the breeding of animals.
	Edmunda Bumana Vina darzs	The visitors are offered the excursion around the wine garden and the story about different sorts of grapes and the secrets of wine-making. During the excursion the vistiors can learn about the traditions of growing grapes in Latvia, to see and taste the newest tendencies of grape selectioning,as well as receive advice on growing and tending grapes. It is also possible to try home-made wines and buy grapes saplings.
	Latvian National Botanical Garden	The National Botanical Garden in Salaspils ranks as the largest botanical garden in Latvia and in the Baltics with a territory of 136 hectares. The National botanical garden collection consists of about 14 thousand different varieties. More than 5,000 plants are found in the arboretum, as well as various other exhibitions, such as orchards, rosaries, ornamental plants. Botanical Gardens can inspire you to uprade your own garden assortment with new plant varieties and offers the experience of learning about botanical knowledge in nature. In addition, it presents opportunity to expand your personal photo archive with an exclusive background photographs and close-ups. There is a playground for children, comfortable cycling paths, nordic walking paths, picnic possibilities.
	The Kegums hydroelectric power plant and the Energy Museum	This is Latvia’s first major hydroelectric power plant, and construction along the right bank of the Daugava began in 1936. The plant was designed by the architect Eižens Laube. The first hydro-aggregate (17 MW of capacity as the largest plant in Latvia) was switched on in 1939. A second round of construction occurred between 1976 until 1979, the result being a new building on the left bank of the Daugava, increasing the capacity of the plant to 260 MW. Another round of reconstruction occurred between 1998 and 2001 on the left bank of the Daugava (the HES-2 plant). The Energy Museum is now there.
	The Maza kapa crafts centre	This workshop manufactures belts, bags, jewellery (pendants, brooches, bracelets), as well as covers. It offers book binding services and prepares souvenirs. Tours are available for groups of up to 50 people. You can try your own hand at the crafts, taste teas, and cook soups on an open fire.
	Ogres Zilie kalni	The nature park near the town of Ogre is a popular place for leisure, hiking and, in the winter, cross-country skiing. Most of the park is covered with coniferous trees that are on a long and comparatively narrow line of hillocks with steep sides – another element of nature left behind in Latvia by the Ice Age. Many different plants can be found here. The Jaunogres castle hill is one of the most distinct hillocks in the area.
	The Grasi Estate	The origins of the castle that was built in the style of Classicism date back to 1784. Later it was rebuilt into a two-story building with a portico with four columns at its centre. A new period in the development of the state began in 1993, when restoration of the buildings began. The estate currently houses a children’s village, while the mansion is now a hotel.
	The “Baltaine” creative house	This venue organises seminars, courses and activities related to Latvian holidays and family celebrations. There are master’s classes about culinary heritage in Latvia, musical instruments that can be played, and demonstrations of various handicrafts, including weaving, knitting, crocheting, etc. The ladies of the house prepare tasty porridges, soups, herbal teas, chicory coffee, pastries and pierogi. Visitors can learn about folk dances, games and songs. Wedding performances are also available.
	Dakota Cafe in Ciemupe	This café in Ciemupe in the Ogre District has an exhibit of military equipment, artillery and other objects.
	Dievkalns Hill	Where the little Rumbiņa river flows into the Daugava (on the left bank of the little river opposite the Lielvārde park), there is the Dievkalns castle hill that has been reduced by the waters of the Daugava. It is also known as the Cepure hill. According to antiquities that have been found here, representatives of Baltic tribes lived here from the first millennium BC to the 6^th or 7^th century AD. The level of the Ķegums hydroelectric power plant can be reached by a staircase from which the best view of this object can be found.
	55 marites	This is a family company in the Madona Administrative District, which offers natural herbal teas and spices. All of the ingredients come from Latvia, and the company manufactures more than 70 kinds of teas that are made of a single herb, as well as teas with several herbs. The company has patented a series of medicinal teas and a set of medicinal herbal teas. Since 2014, the company has been certified as a biological processing company. Groups can sign up for tours, as well as master classes related to the preparation, identification and use of teas.
	Santa Lasmane	Santa Lasmane owns a farm near Lake Jumurda and manufactured goat’s cheese from 40 dairy goats (60 goats in all). You can buy the cheese there and at local markets. Products are delivered on demand. You can tour the farm, meeting Bonija the goat and her friends, and taste the cheese.
	The ruins of the Ikskile church	Since the 1970s, these ruins have been on a small (100 m long) island that is part of the reservoir of the Rīga hydroelectric power plant. The island is named after St Meinhard and the ruins are part of the oldest stone building in Latvia. Work on the church began in 1184, but it was rebuilt and sacked several times, most recently in 1916. The ruins have been conserved and are protected by a metal cover. The shores of the island have been strengthened. The 10 metre metal cross on the island was designed by E. Samovičs, while the stone altar was sculpted by J. Karlobs.
		The Vecsiljāņi farm is in the Bebri Parish in the Koknese Administrative District. It is a dairy farm and also grows wheat, barley, oats, rye, corn and grasses. In 2010 the farm began to produce hard cheese under the brand name "Ievas siers." Visitors can taste the cheese and tour the farm and the cheese-making facility.
	Sierstelle factory	The Sierštelle factory is in the centre of Ogre, just half an hour from Rīga by car. The local “Police Academy” leisure venue offers cheese-based dishes from Sierštelle, as well as the sale of cheeses. Sierštelle offers 31 kinds of cheese, including savoury and sweet cheeses. One special recipe was born right there in Ogre at the popular Swimming Spa.
	The Potter’s House	The potter offers tours of his workshop, a chance to use the potter’s wheel to produce your own clay dishes, opportunities to draw, and a chance to manufacture drums and dolls. You can buy the finished products and listen to the craftsman playing his drums.
	The “Lazdukalni” arboretum park	This arboretum park is in a lovely place – the Blue Hills of Ogre, where there is a tower with a good view of the Daugava River Valley. The landscape is enlivened by a pond and its streams. There are beautiful hiking trails throughout the park. Unique species: The Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense) and the Field Elm (Ulmus minor), among others.
	The Janavas farm	The farm grows herbal tea plants such as blue dragon, purple cornflower, peppermint, and lavender, as well as other plants. It also offers cosmetics such as the Beāte line of facial creams, as well as cornflower eau-de-toilette. You can take an informative tour, taste delicious teas, and purchase the cosmetics.
	JUMURDAS MUIZA	Lakeside hotel in the castle's park. Conference hall for 80 persons, sauna with a banquet hall for 100 persons. Restaurant, bar, terrace with a view of the lake. Extras - paddle-boats, skiing, skating.