Liv's Road

Kaltene features several homes where shipbuilders used to live – Caurnāši, which was home to the Bertliņi family, Ilmati, where six ailing ships were built, Maizītes, where the Stahl family of ship builders built 16 two-mast and three-mast ships, and Dambekalni, which was once one of the first canned fish factories on the coastline.  To the side of the sea are the old boat piers of Kaltene.  In 1936, a board pier was built by the Freijs family from Roja.  It was 200 m long and had room for some 50 boats.  All that is left are wooden poles that have been eaten away by the sea and time.  If you want to learn about the specifics, difficulties and challenges of fishermen today, visit Ervīns Vilciņš in Ķirķrags.  He will tell interesting stories on the basis of his experience.  You can watch as he fishes in the morning and then taste the fish that he has caught. (Source: Roja TIC)

(formerly Pize and Pizā in Livonian).  The current name of the village comes from a lighthouse (Mihailovskii majak) that was built during the age of the Russian Empire and named for the nephew of Tsar Alexander II.  The lighthouse that is there now is the third one to be built on the site.  It was built in 1957 and is the highest lighthouse in Latvia (57 m, can only be viewed from the outside).  The Lutheran church in Mikeļtornis was built in 1893, and nearby is the Pize Saloon (1857), which is terrible condition.  The saloon has a typical design from the 19th century and is the only venue of its type on the Livonian coastline.  The first Livonian cultural activist, Jānis Princis (1796-1868), was born in Miķeļtornis, and he and son Jānis translated the Gospel of Matthew into the Western Livonian language.  The two of them also wrote a collection of poetry, "Holy Songs and Prayers for Sailors."  The only poetry book in Latvia prior to that was published by Blind Indriķis.  A student of Vilhelms Purvītis, Livonian painter Andrejs Šulcs (1910-2006), was born at the Olmaņi homestead in Miķeļtornis.  A monument to Livonian poets was installed at the local cemetery in 1978 and was the first monument dedicated to Livonians.  There are plans to open an environmental object by artist Ģirts Burvis, "Century of Sailing Ships", in 2019.

The largest town in the region dates back to the 19th century, when three local fishing villages – Neibāde, Pēterupe and Katrīnbāde – became a popular location for leisure and swimming.  This led to the construction of many summer homes, and the development of the spa was facilitated by the opening of a rail line between Rīga and Saulkrasti in 1905.  New spas and restaurants were opened, and the spa infrastructure was developed.  During the summer there were various entertainments, including balls and concerts featuring orchestras from Rīga.  Also facilitating the development of the spa was a road and railroad line between Rīga and Saulkrasti that were installed during the 1930s.  During the Soviet occupation, leisure homes, sanatoriums and new summer homes were built in Saulkrasti, which was given the status of a city.  Today Saulkrasti is attractive because of its white sand beach, as well as various annual events, the Saulriets trail, the White Dune, the unique bicycle museum, Sea Park, the “Centrs” swimming facility, Sun Square, etc.

In 1877, Baron August von Pistohlkors, celebrating the merits of his ancestors in the foundation and development of Neibāde, ordered a monument to be erected in the park. After World War I, in the early 1930s, the monument was accidentally found during the cleaning of the bed of the River Ķīšupe. The monument was renovated by the Neibāde Aid and Improvement Society and officially reopened in 1933. The monument also suffered damage after World War II. Now the monument is restored and located in the park of the open-air stage.

This is the ancient shore of the Baltic Ice Lake.  We can only imagine the landscape 10,000 years ago, when the Kurzeme peninsula was covered with vegetation reminiscent of a tundra, and waves from the icy lake dashed against the ancient shoreline.  We know that the lake was full of icebergs of various sizes.  Today the cliff is more than 20 km long (some 9 km of it are in the Slītere National Park), and it is as much as 42 m high.  It is the most impressive cliff of its type in all of Latvia.  At the foot of the cliff are the Irve flatlands (the name comes from the Liv 'īrva' or 'īra', both of which refer to deer).  The flatlands are the former bottom of the Baltic Ice Lake.  The Blue Hills are crossed by many small streams and rivers (Pitragupe, Lorumupe, Kaļķupe, Mazupe, etc.).  Their valleys are the basis for a branched and very complicated system of waterways which look particularly impressive when the trees are bare.  In many places the cliffs and valleys display small areas of sandstone from the Narva suite.  These are Latvia's oldest sediment cliffs that can be seen above ground.  Although the Blue Hills are very impressive in scope, there are only a few places where there are important viewing areas (a viewing tower at the Dundaga-Mazirbe road, the view from the Šlītere lighthouse, the view from Mežlīdumi).  The mightiness of the ancient shoreline can truly be enjoyed from the Cirste-Mazirbe road, the Cirste-Riepaldi road, Mežlīdumi and the Vīdala-Melnsils road).  It is worth visiting the area in the springtime, when the slopes of the Blue Hills seem to be sinking under the fresh greenery.

The craftswoman uses clay, rocks and other materials to produce dishware and various interior design objects, finishing them in an open kiln. Visitors can take an informational tour, watch the craftswoman at work, and sit down to produce their own cups. Guests are welcome to attend the opening of the kiln.

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).

The Kolka group of the Liv Association (est. 1989) established the Liv Centre in 1993, and it features a collection of Liv ethnographic objects.  The centre hosts exhibitions and various thematic events.  The work of the centre is based mostly on volunteers, and it is mostly open during the tourism season.

Reinis Kaudzīte, co-author of the first Latvian novel “Times of the Land-Surveyors” (“Mērnieku laiki”) stayed in Pēterupe Village from 1913. 
In 1913 R. Kaudzīte bought a small property (currently No. 17 School Street), where he spent the last years of his life along with the lady of the house Karlīna Damroze. After the death of R. Kaudzīte, Karlīne – the well-known and respected midwife – continued to run the household. During Soviet times, the house was converted into a residential building. The neighbouring garden-house also acquired the status of a one-room flat, which in 11 August 1991 was turned into the Public Museum of Saulkrasti History. In 2008 the basic idea of the museum was changed and the house underwent redecoration. Now the museum is dedicated to the life of Reinis Kaudzīte in Pēterupe. The exhibition consists of furniture, crockery, household items, tools, photographs and other items of the early 20th century contributed by Saulkrasti residents. 
“Neighbour’s bench” and a signpost with references to places where the writer once travelled to are located in the garden by the building.

The museum at Valdemāra Street 47 was opened in 1969 in the building of the maritime school that was opened in 1864 at the suggestion of Krišjānis Valdemārs.  The school trained more than 1,000 sea captains and helmsmen.  The exhibition at the museum relates to the operations of the school, as well as the building of sailing ships on the Vidzeme shoreline during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century.  There is a collection of anchors, as well as the top of the Ainaži lighthouse, which was once washed away by the sea, but has been restored.

This 1995 sculpture by Oļegs Skarainis is at the corner of Dinsberģa and Talsu streets in Dundaga, near the local dairy.  It is dedicated to the strong men of the town, including former Dundaga resident Arvīds Blūmentāls (1925-2006), who lived in Australia, was a great crocodile hunter (some 10,000 in all), and served as a prototype for Paul Hogan in the famous movie “Crocodile Dundee.” 

Was mentioned in 1387, where it was called Domesnes.  That was the name until the early 20th century.  A ledger at the Irbe-Ģipka church states that there were four farms in Kolka in 1770 -- Krogi, Ūši, Vecvagari and Kabriki.  In 1844, a school for vergers was established, and Nika Polmanis worked there as a teacher.  Kolka's first school was built in 1881, and Livonian Kārlis Bernšteins (1881-1951) worked there for nearly half a century as a teacher.  The Dundaga riots that began in 1859 were led by Livonian Nika Šūbergs (1833-1884), the son of the owner of the Sārnasti farm.  At the end of the 19th century, there were 392 residents in Kolka, and in 1935, 145 of the 343 residents were Livonians.  During the mid-1980s, 13 Livonians spoke their language freely.  Kolka is the only coastal Livonian village that continued to develop during the frontier regime of the Soviet Union, because it was the centre of a fishing kolkhoz.  The number of residents increased rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s because new homes, a school, a people's centre, a kindergarten and several fish processing factories were built there.  Today Kolka has 700 residents and is the largest village along the Livonian coastline.  The "Līcis-93" fish processing factory is there, and local fishermen and smokers of fish work in the village.  The Kūolka Livonian Centre and the Livonian ensemble Laula operate there, as well.  The Ūši farm offers tastings of Livonian foods.

The White Dune is one of the landmarks of Saulkrasti, on the Vidzeme gulf coast. The dune offers a splendid view of the sea, the mouth of the Inčupe River and the vast beach. The White Dune formed as the wind drove beach sand over the clay silt of Baltic Ice Lake. Its white 18 meters high sand outcrop once helped local fishermen find their way home. The dune got its name from its white, hardened layers of sand which look like sandstone.
In White Dune are set up following Nature Design objects: "Entrance gates" which symbolizes White Dune and its fragility. On the wall of this object an information about White Dune are exposed. "Frīda the Hedgehog" and "Fredis the Rabbit"- both objects invite people to be polite when visiting nature sites and not to throw rubbish on the ground as well as to be quiet in the forest. "The bug trail" which helps to understand that humans are not the only one creatures in the nature. "Listening device" which is made in the form of trumpet and helps to listen into the sounds of sea and wind. The approximately 4 kilometers long Sunset Trail winds from the White Dune to the center of Saulkrasti.

It is said that Krišjānis Valdemārs began to dream about a port at this location when he was a child, but a so-called protective port was only established in Roja in the early 20th century, with a protective dam 500 metres from the shore that was 213 m long.  The dam gradually disappeared, and the port was shut down in 1933.  Work on straightening the Roja River began in the 1930s, using a French machine to create berms and build rock dams and pile-based breakwaters that were subsequently extended several times.  In 1932, fishermen built a 107 m breakwater.  Reconstruction of the breakwaters was completed in 1972.  The fishing kolkhoz Banga used to be active here, merging shoreline fishermen’s homesteads. (Source: Roja TIC)

During the latter half of the 19th century, one of the largest ship building facilities was located here between the Dzeņi and Lielkalni homesteads.  It was known as the Ķirbiži and then the Vitrupe shipyard, though nothing remains of it.  28 ships were built here between the 1860s and 1929.

A school that was moved from Žocene was here during the 1850s, and it is alongside the Ģipka church.  In 1938, a company from Dundaga opened a shop here to sell goods of basic necessity. (Source: Roja TIC)

Jurmala town (the second largest in Latvia) was founded in 1959, by combining Kemeri and Sloka towns in the Riga city Jurmala district. It stretches 32 km along the coastal line of Gulf of Riga. Jurmala resort once was one of the most important objects of this type in the Northern Europe. This was facilitated by the development of local and interstate transport and traffic (coaches, steamers, train). The first guests was accommodated in Dubulti, where in 1834 the first hotel was built, but in 1847 - The first wellness centre. In the 19th the first medical institution launched. Starting from 1834 the rapid construction of summer cottages began. Development of the resort was ended by the World War I. After the war the number of resort vacationers boomed from 12 thousand (in 1920) to 32 thousand (in 1935). Kemeri resort developed along with Jurmala, which received a massive of vacationers' amount during the Soviet period.
Today, Jurmala is a popular venue of concerts, festivals, exhibitions, sports competitions, and other public events.

This little tram offers a great opportunity to return to history, when small trams were found all over Latvia.  Until the 1960s, there was a narrow-gauge railroad that linked shoreline fishing villages along the shores of Northern Kurzeme.  Only a few remnants of the old tracks can still be found in nature, and there are only a few train stations or parts thereof.  Visitors to the Ventspils Open Air Museum can take the 1.4 km Circle Line or the 3 km Mountain Line.  The locomotive was built in Germany in 1916, and the museum features a station building with all of its elements.

Kemeri (Kemmer) are mentioned in the literature sources for the first time in 1561. In the second half of the 18th century and in the beginning of the 19th century the curative properties of Kemeri sulphur spring waters and swamp mud are well known, therefore here representatives of the highest Kurzeme social circles arrive for treatment. The local foresters welcome the guests. During this time the first mud baths are organised. For some time the development of Jurmala and Kemeri beach is terminated by the Fatherland War of 1812. Two decades later – from 1833 until 1835 the benefits of Kemeri were enjoyed by General Governor of the Baltics Graf K. M. Palen, who addresses the Tsar of Russia Nicholas I for supporting further development of the health resort. Plead is supported and in 1836 Tsar allocates 700 ha of state land and grants 100 000 roubles for the construction of sanatorium and paving of the road from Kemeri till Sloka-Tukums high-way. Two years later (in 1938) the first state bath institution is opened. This is also considered the year of founding the health resort. In several stages the formation of Kemeri Landscape Park is begun, which is an important part of the health resort. In the middle and second half of the 19th century further development of the health resort is promoted by steamboat, as well as railroad traffic that are opened in 1877 from Riga till Tukums. In 1912 direct railroad line Kemeri-Moscow is opened. Early before World War I the number of patients reaches 8300 per year. The 1st battlefront of World War I is held in Kemeri swamp for several years and the health resort is significantly destroyed. Despite this fact after the war it develops rapidly and Kemeri becomes a beloved recreation place for the residents of Riga and one of the most modern health resorts in Europe. In 1924 a new bath institution with mud-baths is built in Kemeri, which at the time is one of the most modern in Europe, but in 1936 State President Kārlis Ulmanis opens one of the most prominent buildings of the first independent state of Latvia period – hotel "Ķemeri". Also after World War II – during the Soviet times the health resort is significantly expanded and almost 10 sanatoriums are established within its territory, in which about 100 doctors are employed. In 1971 Kemeri is awarded the status of All-Union health resort. From 1975 until 1985 the largest of sanatoriums is constructed in Kemeri – Līva (initially – Latvija), which has two blocks of eleven storeys. Up to 1200 patients at the same time could receive treatment at Līva, but within a year – up to 140 000 patients. The sanatorium is closed in the beginning of the 90ies of the 20th century as unprofitable. Up to 1994 five sanatoriums operate in Kemeri: "Čaika", "Daugava", "Dzimtene", "Ķemeri" and "Līva" (Latvija) and resort policlinic "Ķemeri". The latter period may be considered the declining fame period of Kemeri as a large-scale health resort.

The farm is located in the north-west of Latvia, which was historically inhabited by Livonians and, nowadays, is often called the Livonian coast.  Farm is one of the first homes in Kolka, 1.2 km from Kolkasrags, the furthest northern point of Courland separating the Baltic Sea from the Gulf of Riga.

The owner of the farm demonstrates the way in which the traditional Northern Kurzeme dessert that is a carrot bun and is known as a "sklandrausis" is prepared. Sklandrausis is registered in the EU food quality scheme as a product with traditional speciality guaranteed. Hikers can take a tour to see the industrial history of Kolka, complete with theatrical elements and tasting of Latvia’s best sprats.

Latvian cuisine: Porridge with fried onions and meat, kefir, herbal teas.

Special foods: Carrot buns.

The restored mansion of the Dunte Estate is now a museum featuring the adventures and life of the legendary king of lies, Baron Munchhausen.  The first floor is devoted to the barn and his stories, while the second floor has a collection of wax models of people who are distinguished in terms of Latvia’s history.  Also there is the largest collection of beer mugs in Latvia.  There are three circular trails in the forest with wooden sculptures.  The longest one leads to the sea.  A wooden model of a ship is interesting to children.

This is one of the most important destinations in Northern Kurzeme, offering a wealth of information about the history of the region and the shoreline, its cultural and historical values, the building of sailing ships, fishing traditions, local residents and their work and achievements.  The museum was opened in 1968, and right now it has permanent exhibitions about Krišjānis Valdemārs, the Roja maritime school and the building of sailing ships in the 19th century.  There is also information about the history of fish processing from the 19th century to the present day, the Liv Shore, and the Soviet contributions toward the development of the coastline.  The museum features three women from Kurzeme from different historical periods – Mildiņa, who is a simple fisherman’s wife, Mrs Pauliņš from the era of sailing ship building, and Anna Petrovna from the Soviet era.  The three women offer attractive information about objects that are not exhibited at the museum, also displaying the naughty sense of humour that people in Kurzeme have. (Source: Roja TIC)

A small fishermen’s house preserved in the original style, situated not far from the sea in Berzciems, offers 2 comfortable rooms for peaceful rest, with a fireplace and a small kitchen. The family of the owners through many generations try to preserve old fishermen’s traditions, including those in fish processing and smoke curing. The guests have an opportunity to buy local products – smoked fish from the Engure lake and the Baltic Sea.

The River Ķīšupe (length – 31 km) begins its journey in the marshlands of Lēdurga Parish. As the river reaches the seashore, its bed and the location of its mouth often changes. One of the tributaries of the Ķīšupe carries a rather interesting name – Pupaļurga. The name of the River Ķīšupe probably comes from the name of a man and his house. In the 17th century a man named Ķīsis (in English: ruffe) used to live by the river. 

Open-air functional exhibition of medicinal plants introduces you to a “green pharmacy”. There are more than 300 different plants. Every healthy lifestyle enthusiast can find the secrets of fitotherapy and learn how to use the plants in many different ways – making sauna besoms, aromatic pillows, healthy teas, bath scrubs etc.
Facilities: excursion through medicinal plant garden and collection, tasting of green cocktails.

It is the bicycle collection of father and son Jānis and Guntis Seregins, which is the only collection of antique bicycles in Latvia. They have been collecting cycles since 1977 when they joined the Antique Automobile Club and became fascinated with Latvia’s cycling traditions. The collection’s core is formed from technically unusual bicycles. In total, the museum has approximately 70 Latvian-made and used bicycles. Besides bicycles there are many other pieces of cycling ephemera relating to sport, cycle clubs and bicycle production. The museum has an extensive collection of bicycle brands, bringing together 1000 badges from all over the world. Guided excursions available.

Vannūzis (Bath) – A building of the five-building complex “Kurhaus”. During the times of the Neibāde resort, this small building used to be a bath place. In order for the guests of the resort to be able to take a dip in the sea water even in bad weather, barrels of water were delivered by horses to the bath place.  

The roots of Saulkrasti Secondary School reach back to Pabaži, to 1912, when a young teacher – Olga Veicmane (after marriage: Cīrule) arrived from Riga to teach the sea captain Reisons’ daughter. Soon many other tutor-seekers joined her and in autumn of 1912 a school was established in Pabaži. The school had a good reputation, and pupils came from the entire surrounding area. In January of 1913, the school was moved to more spacious premises at 20 Rīgas Street. 
During World War I the school was ruined and its furniture and equipment were dragged away. In 1918 the school was reopened, giving an opportunity for children to enjoy many interesting and captivating activities such as choir singing, theatre group and a group of new writers. The headmaster of the school Olga Cīrule became the soul of local social life. By 1933, the number of pupils had outgrown the size of the school. Therefore in 1933, the school was moved to 3 Raiņa Street – to the premises of the former outpatient clinic. The school was named Pēterupe Primary School. In 1950, the school became Saulkrasti Secondary School and at the end of 1956 the school obtained a new and beautiful building at 6 Smilšu Street. 

was first recorded in documents in 1582.  The shallow water around the village contains many sunken ships.  In 1826, Pitrags had 11 farms and 190 residents.  A saloon was opened in the mid-19th century.  In 1937, the village had 12 old farms and 38 fishing operations (mostly new farms).  There were several fish processing plants in the village.  One of the local residents was the distinguished Livonian language storyteller Marija Šaltjāre (Bertholde, 1860-1930).  She shared more than 200 fairy tales and legends, more than 90 songs and games, etc.  The Pitrags Baptist Prayer House was built in 1902.  It was burned down during World War I, rebuilt in 1925, and renovated in the late 20th century.  The Krogi homestead in the centre of Pitrags has a collection of 27 old types of Livonian coastline fencing.  The owner also offers a chance to help with the smoking of fish and then to taste the resulting product.

The “Strand” Complex – it was the largest and most luxurious recreational complex in Neibāde. It consisted of three buildings, a dance pavilion and a park. Only one building of the hotel, the same as what was once Saulkrasti outpatient clinic at 17 Ainažu Street, has survived until nowadays.

In 1888, the building, provided for a doctor’s needs, was donated by Baron Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors to the parish of Pēterupe Lutheran Church. Along with the building, Baron Pistohlkors also donated 6 hectares of land and 10 000 roubles for the doctor’s use. Arvēds von Engelhards became the first medical doctor in Pēterupe. In 1890, the first pharmacy was opened in one room of the clinic, serving people from a wide area; it remained in the building until 1895. This outpatient clinic was the very first stone building in Saulkrasti, the first health authority in a wide area, as well as the first pharmacy. Through its entire lifetime, the house was maintained from voluntary donations – at first by Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors, then by churchgoers of Pēterupe Parish – therefore by the money of the villagers.
This house also played a role as the place of establishment of the Saulkrasti development society, which was actively supported by many celebrities such as the opera singer Herberts Ozolītis, actresses Tija Banga, Mirdza Šmithene, Lilija Štengele and Malda Gruzevska, composer Alfrēds Kalniņs and many other cultural professionals, artists and writers of that time, who used to spend summers in Saulkrasti. In 1933, the parish converted the outpatient clinic for the needs of a school.
Saulkrasti Primary School was transferred to the building of the former outpatient clinic.

3 km to the south of the centre of Jūrkalne, near the old (gravelled) road between Liepāja and Jūrkalne, is the place where the three-year Feliksberga Maritime School existed between 1871 and 1902.  The building is long gone, and the memorial has involves an oaken boat with two wooden poles on which old ownership signs have been engraved.

The owners are third-generation fishers, and they will be happy to sell you some smoked local fish. Tour groups can take part in active leisure related to cultural aspects of smoking tasty fish (tossing a boot into the sea, stories from fishermen’s wives, a theatrical performance, and the smoking and tasting of fish).

Latvian cuisine: Smoked and dried plaice, hot-smoked eelpout and other fish prepared on the basis of ancient local recipes.

In the 19th century at the seaside of Skulte, a small village formed, which was inhabited by fishermen. The name “Zvejniekciems” (Fishermen’s village) arose from the population's main activity. In 1967 the Skulte part of Zvejniekciems was added to the Saulkrasti township. Nowadays Zvejniekciems is the home of Skulte Port, and the rocky beach of Zvejniekciems is located between the port and Saulkrasti Beach, while the village itself can be proud of the creative heritage left by the architect Marta Staņa (1913–1972).

The museum is in the mansion of the Dole Estate, which was built in 1898 for the Loeuwis von Menar dynasty.  The collection presents Daugava as an important water route, with the apparel of Baltic and Liv tribes, everyday objects, etc.  Outside the movement is equipment to catch lampreys and a reconstructed weir to catch salmon.  Alongside is a 17th century cannon from the Duchy of Courland that was found in the Misa River and was cast in Baldone.  Nearby are four cannons from the Russian tsar’s army.  Those were found on a building lot in Salaspils in 2007.

On 14 June 1991, this sign sculpted by Zezostrs Ķēde in memory of the repressions of 1941 and 1949 was unveiled in the garden of Pēterupe Church.

is seen as the newest village along the Livonian coastline.  It was established during the 17th century.  Košrags had 78 residents in 1826.  The first reading school for Livonian children in the Dundaga seashore villages was opened at the Žoki homestead in 1832.  One of the teachers was Nika Polmanis, who was the first Livonian to have completed a professional education.  He also translated the Gospel of Matthew into the Eastern Livonian dialect.  Košrags had a windmill, water mill and boat building facility.  During the spring, job seekers from Saaremaa stopped here.  A port was installed in 1932, and a breakwater to collect sea fertiliser followed in 1938.  During the 1930s, Košrags was regularly visited by Finnish and Estonian linguists to study the folklore of the Livonians.  The Norpiedagi homestead was built by Livonian activist Didriķis Volganskis (1884-1968).  His son, Livonian cultural worker and pastor (in Finland) Edgars Vālgamā (Volganskis, 1912-2003) was born there.  He translated the Andrejs Pumpurs epic "Lāčplēsis" into Finnish.  Košrags today is a cultural monument of national importance.

 A long village stretching along both banks of the Lūžņa River.  In 1937, there were 36 houses and two boat piers here.  During the 1860s, ships were built here, but during the Soviet occupation, there were military bases there.  During the 1930s, the village was visited several times by the Finnish linguist Lauri Ketunen and Estonian student Oskar Lorits.  They were working on a Livonian dictionary.  Another resident of Lūžņa was the first Livonian artist, Jānis Belte (1893-1946).  The "Dēliņi" fisherman's homestead has been transferred to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum and can be seen there.

On the right bank of the River Pēterupe is one of the historical areas of Saulkrasti – Pēterupe Village. It is believed that the village began to form around a chapel during the so-called Swedish or Catholic times. The chapel was named after the Apostle St. Peter, and therefore the river and the village also carries his name. Pēterupe Village can be considered the oldest village in the Saulkrasti region. The oldest witnesses of the origin of Pēterupe Village are: Rectory, Pēterupe Evangelical Lutheran Church, Outpatient Clinic and the wooden buildings in the old village centre.

This is a local fish processing plant that offers fantastic products.  The extensive and high-quality assortment of products has won a stable place in Latvia’s market, offering marinated fish, fish in gelatine, fish salad, and frozen fish and fish filets. (Source: Roja TIC)

Holiday House "In Pitrags by Andris" is near Kolka and Mazirbe, in the small fishermen village Pitrags. Holiday house are with kitchen, bathroom, 1 double bed, 1 bunk bed on the first floor and 2 single beds on the upper floor. Both holiday lodge and camping area situated in a quiet forest, undisturbed atmosphere from the rest of the neighborhood, only about 800 m from the sea coast. Camping area can accommodate about 50 tents and 3 trailers. There is also a chance to see the variety of ways the ancient fence in one place, as well as a walk along the 1 km long forest path. 
Owners are also doing smoked fishes according the old fishermen traditions, offer the fish tasting for individuals and groups.

The saloon is at the edge of the Murjāņi-Limbaži road (P9) and alongside the Igate Castle. It is built on the foundations of a former windmill, and the wheel of the mill has been preserved. The old watermill is still hard at work and is used to mill grain for traditional porridge and buns. The saloon works with local farmers.

Latvian cuisine: Mushroom soup, barley porridge with meat, barley buns, grit sausage with lingonberry sauce, crepes with jam, potato pancakes, fried plaice or pike, stacked rye bread.

Special foods: Sautéed rabbit, stuffed filet of turkey.

This site has a commemorative stone which speaks to Krišjānis Valdemārs’ achievements in the development of the Latvian state.  This used to be the location of the Roja or Lubezere maritime school, and the home for teachers is still there.  A private medical practice is in the building right now.  The maritime school existed from 1873 to 1915 and was wrecked during World War I.  The school trained helmsmen for short-distance trips.  Tuition was free, and classes were taught in Latvian.  Latvian sailors were known in Russia and abroad, including the Americas.  They were respected for their serious approach to their work, their honesty and their loyalty. (Source: Roja TIC)

Back when the Baltic Sea was part of the ancient Littorina Sea, the coastline emerged as a small and shallow shore that was formed 4,500 to 5,000 years ago.  The coastline has little rocks and gravel that have preserved typical examples of fauna from the Littorina Sea.  The ancient cliff is best seen at the Dobeļi homestead in Kaltene.  This is one of a few parts of the shore of the Bay of Rīga where there was an abrasion coastline during the era of the Littorina Sea.  The shallow bay is popular among birds which feed and rest here during migrations. (Source: Roja TIC)

This is one of the few places in the world where lamprey eels are caught at the industrial level and with a fishing method that has been used for the past 150 years – a weir that stretches across the river and has creels along it. There are three weirs in all on the Salaca River. A local fisherman will teach you about the process and allow you to taste and purchase roast lampreys.

Opened on June 21, 2011, at the 51st kilometre of the Tallinn-Riga highway, the MEKE KROGS pub is a typical example of the roadside pubs which used to be built along the sides of roads and near homesteads, castles, mills and windmills. This particular one is located into renovated cattle shed that is more than 100 years old – a lovely log building that is named after the former baron of the local estate, von Mecke. Alongside it is the handsome parish building which was erected in 1907 with red bricks from Tūja.

Latvian cuisine: Sorrel stew with grits, cold soup, pounded beef, mutton and vegetable stew, grits with smoked meat and mushrooms, herring with cottage cheese, bread soup.

Special foods: Porridge with bacon bits and Meke spicy sausages.

The forest around Kaltene features a natural miracle – the rocks of Kaltene, which are also known as the barrier rocks.  The rocks are 2-3 m from the sea and date back to the Ice Age.  The Devil’s rock is the largest one.  It used to be a beautiful pile of rocks that “stretched to the tops of the trees.”  In older maps it is described as being 20 m high.  It had many natural rocks, including some that were completely round, while others resembled plates.  The rock was almost completely destroyed in the 1960s and 1970s, when it was chopped up to build roads.  A fairly small part of the rock survives today, and it is 300 m long and 2 m high.  Scientists believe that these rocks used to be sacred locations, because there are many legends and stories about them.  There is a forest path with wooden pathways, information stands and a small car park there. (Source: Roja TIC)

This is one of the oldest Livonian villages, recorded in documents for the first time in 1387.  The old road from the Dundaga Estate to Sīkrags existed in the Middle Ages.  During the 17th century, Sīkrags was one of the most important small ports in Northern Kurzeme, receiving ships from England, Holland and Lubeck that carried coal, grain and other products.  Before World War I, there were five sprat smokehouses in the village, and some 55 fishermen lived there during the 1920s and 1930s.  Among those to have been born in Sīkrags was the Livonian cultural activist Hilda Grīva (Cerbaha, 1910-1984), seafaring captain Kārlis Anbanks (1884-1937), Baptist preacher Kārlis Lāceklis (1904-1970), linguist and tradition specialist Pēteris Dambergs (1909-1987), and graphic artist Baiba Damberga (b 1957).  Today the village is a cultural monument of national importance.  It is crossed by a bike route, with a commemorative stone where the narrow-gauge railroad station once stood.  Sīkrags, like neighbouring villages, is in the Slītere National Park.