Mara’s Road

The workshop offers ceramics products. You can watch the potter at work and try your own hand at the craft. You are also welcome to attend the opening of the kiln.

The potter uses the black (smoke) technique to create his artworks, and he uses clay from Latgale. He uses no industrial equipment in his work, and the kiln is fired with firewood. You can watch as he creates dishware on a foot-powered potter’s wheel and talks about the firing process. You can work with clay and purchase finished products.

The Sarkaņi Catholic Church is on the western shore of Lake Cirms, and it was built of field stones in 1830. The church is famous for a painting of the Virgin Mary which is said to be miraculous. This is a popular destination for pilgrims as a result of this fact.

The construction of the state began in the early 20th century.  The mansion was built of bricks and fieldstones between 1905 and 1911 in the styles of Historicism and Art Nouveau.  The estate was owned by engineer and professor Stanislav Kerbedz from St Petersburg, the first Russian engineer to develop principles for the architectonic aspects of bridges.  These were used during the latter half of the 19th century, and Kerbedz led the construction of the Nikolayev bridge across the Neva River in St Petersburg.  Kerbedz’s wife, Yevgenia, was well known as a lover of art, and she brought various art objects to the estate from Italy.  The Lūznava Estate was a popular place for gatherings of artists during the summers.  Among those to visit was the distinguished Lithuanian painter and composer Mikalojus Čiurlionis.  The estate is surrounded by a 23.7 ha landscape park with a system of ponds.  Near the estate is a statue of the Madonna, which was carved by an unknown Italian artist.  The statue was damaged and thrown into a pond during World War II, but it was restored in 1991.  Reconstruction of the main building of the estate was complete in 2015, and today it is a modern and international centre for environmental education and the arts.

On the banks of Little Lake Ludza is a farm with a house, windmill, threshing barn and the workshop of the Lettigalian ceramicist Polikarps Vilcāns.  Various events related to craftsmanship and culture are organised there.

At this museum, you will learn all about the baking of bread from grain to loaf, and you can make your own loaves, too. You can taste bread and herbal teas. There are theatrical performances related to christenings, weddings, birthdays, etc. Local foods such as dumplings and soups made of dried mushrooms or lake fish are served. The museum sells freshly baked bread, as well as the work of local craftspeople. The hostess is a master baker and a member of the Chamber of Crafts.

Latvian cuisine: Lake fish soup, cottage cheese dumplings and other traditional Lettigalian dishes.

Special food: Soup of dried mushrooms.

The Eversmuiža Estate is in the centre of Cibla and is dominated by a 1680 mansion that was built in the style of Classicism and was rebuilt several times later.  There is a home for servants, a gatehouse and ancillary buildings that are in poor shape.  A stone wall surrounds the park of the estate.  Since the 17th century and for nearly two centuries, the estate belonged to an aristocratic Polish family, after it was owned by various others.  Today the mansion houses a boarding school and the Cibla Regional Research Museum, which offers tours.  A cultural and historical trail runs along the banks of the Ilža River.

The church was built between 1932 and 1938 to replace an old Neo-Gothic wooden church.  It was designed by J. Cīrulis.  Until 1994, the building housed a venue that rented out films.  Today it houses an exhibition, “From Foundations to the Steeple:  Photographs of Ancient Lettigalian Construction Jobs.”  This documents the construction of the church.  The 37 metre steeple offers a good look at Rēzekne.

The farm has a herd of horses and buys horses which confirm to historical demands related to breeds of animals. You can learn to ride a horse in the company of an instructor and in a limited area. During the summer, there are cart rides, while in the winter there are sleigh rides. The horses are also used for weddings and other ceremonies.

The church was built in the Neoromantic style between 1936 and 1939 on the basis of a design by the architect Pavlov.  It was consecrated before the completion of construction, this happening in 1937.  The church honours the Anguished Mother of God, and the central altar is dedicated to her.  Icons in the building date back to the early 20th century, and a statue of the Fatima Mother of God is in the yard near the entrance.

True Latgalian Apple Cider from Malnava Manor

Our Story
The cider is produced in the historic distillery of Malnava Manor, dating back to 1827. In manor times, this distillery produced the traditional Latgalian strong drink, šmakovka.

Apples
The apples for the cider are harvested in the manor’s old orchard.

Cider
They produce both dry and semi-sweet cider under the name “Malnovys Uobuļu Sidrs,” as well as apple brandy (calvados), and the traditional šmakovka.

For Visitors
Guided tours are available, where visitors can discover how true, traditional Latgalian šmakovka is crafted, along with cider made from local apples. The tours include tastings with snacks. Malnava Manor is notable for having served as the headquarters for the Wehrmacht’s Army Group North during World War II, visited by Adolf Hitler on 21 July 1941. Two reinforced concrete bunkers in the manor park mark the location of this historic meeting.

Where to Buy
The drinks can be purchased on-site.

GORS, The Embassy of Latgale is located in the heart of Latgale region – Rezekne city. It is a place where the story of Latgale is both created and told. Cultural heritage and ancient values, traditions and creation, the language and events, the most significant global trends, art, culture, dance and songs converge here. A centre of culture, concert halls, film theatre, a place of residence for artists, an exhibition space for art, a restaurant for the enjoyment of life, a place for experiments with all the senses. 

The church was built of fieldstones between 1908 and 1925 in the Tudor Neo-Gothic style (designed by the Liepāja-based architect Stadmann).  It replaced a wooden church that dated back to 1621, and its steeple offers a lovely view of lakes that surround the village of Višķi.

Between 1883 and 1891, the estate that was once owned by the Šadurskis family was rented by the father of the great poet Rainis, Krišjānis Pliekšāns.  Rainis spent his youth at the estate, as reflected in the poet’s The Land of My Youth Days.  Rainis translated Pushkin’s Boris Godunov while at the state.  In honour of the poet and his contributions in the world of literature, an exhibition, “Rainis’ High School and University Years,” was opened at the estate in 1964.  The restored cattle shed today offers a look at the work of potters in Latgale.

"The heart of Latgale", where during the 9th – 12th century stood a fortified Latgalian castle. In 1285 Livonian Order began the construction of stone castle instead of Latgalian castle. After the collapse of Livonia (Rezekne in the composition of Poland) the city languished. Economic life in Rezekne restored in the second half of the 18th century. After the construction of St. Petersburg – Warsaw highway (1836) and railway (1861), Rezekne became a holiday destination for holidaymakers from St. Petersburg. During the World War II, buildings of the city significantly suffered. Today the town is an important economic and cultural centre of Latgale region.

The attractive potter is a member of the “Potter School,” and he uses knowledge from his ancestors. The “Malny Wylky” workshop offers a look at traditional pottery work, including a foot-powered potter’s wheel and a firing pit that uses firewood and the smoke technique. You can examine and purchase the finished products. Vēsma, in turn, is an oil painter and will demonstrate her artworks.

Latvia’s newest national park (2007) is in the “land of the blue lakes” – the region of Latgale. One of the goals of establishing a national park was to preserve the natural treasures of the region. Lake Rāzna, which is the second largest in Latvia, is there, as is Lake Ežezers, which has more island than any other lake in Latvia. There are other bodies of water, as well as typical landscapes of hillocks and a unique cultural environment. One of the most popular destinations in the park is Mākoņkalns Hill, which offers a lovely view of Lake Rāzna. Administrators of the newly established park are working on the tourist infrastructure – trails, routes, etc. Perhaps visitors would be advised to postpone their trip to the Rāzna National Park for awhile.

Here you will find a vast collection of antique instruments.  You’ll learn about their history and about how they were manufactured.  You can play music or commission or purchase homemade instruments.  If you contact the venue in advance, the Igaunis family will organise a concert performance for you.

The flat surface of this large hillock (247 m above sea level, ~60 m above the surrounding area) offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Latgale, complete with Lake Rāzna. During the 13^th century, the Livonian Order built the Volkenberga Castle on the hillock, and it was thought to be practically impenetrable. Fragments of the castle’s walls remain visible today.

Here you can examine and purchase crafts by more than 40 Lettigalian craftspeople. A guide dressed in an Ancient Lettigalian folk costume will tell you about the lives of ancient Baltic tribes, the emergence of craftsmanship in the region, ancient laws related to ethics and work, and traditions. There are demonstrations of the crafts and lessons about the ancient skills. Groups can enjoy a luncheon of Lettigalian dishes, and learn how to bake bread and prepare beverages in an old-fashioned Lettigalian kitchen.

The local craftsmen's salon and home producer's store Cymuss and Latgaļu kukņa, a member of the Latgale culinary heritage network. For groups, Latgaļu kukņa offers lunches and a special skills school for learning to prepare Latgalian food, bread and drinks.

Latvian cuisine: Grey peas, dumplings in cream sauce, Lettigalian pastries and moonshine alcohol.
Special foods: Lamb testicles and cabbage soup with mutton.

Here you will find everything needed for horseback riding, including reins, belts, leather sacks, etc. You can tour the exhibition hall, learn about types of leather, try your hand at the process, and purchase products. The craftswoman will be delighted to talk about the Lettigalian lifestyle.

This is a unique example of industrial heritage – the only open munition factory in the Baltic States.  It includes Europe’s oldest pellet pouring tower, and it is still used for that purpose today.  Tours are available for those who contact the factory in advance, and a guide will lead groups through the factory, the tower and the museum.  Today the factory manufactures nine types of bullets for smooth-barrel weapons, as well as bullets for pneumatic weapons.  The products are exported to Germany and other countries.

The wooden buildings with few floors emerged in the 19th century.  Tourists can look at typical closed yards, verandas, wooden elements and decorations.  The city suffered from fires in 1866 and 1938.  The Market Square is the historical centre of Ludza, while the Ludza castle hill dominates the region.  The streets of the city were established around the hill, which had an ancient Lettigalian wooden castle late in the 14th century.  The Livonian Order replaced with the mightiest brick castle in Latgale.  It was sacked in 1654 by the forces of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.  The castle hill offers a lovely view of Latgale and the oldest city in Latvia and its historical centre.

This potter upholds pottery traditions from the village of Silajāņi. He produces glazed and unglazed products such as dishware, candelabras, etc. You will hear attractive stories about pottery, be allowed to knead some clay and work on the potter’s wheel, and be able to tour an exhibition hall with samples of the master’s work, as produced over the course of the years. You can also commission and purchase products.

The current exhibition is in a building that used to house the Latgale Central Museum, and it speaks to the 700 years of the history of Rēzekne.  It features typical ceramics and other artworks from Latgale.  A separate exposition, “A Miracle Created by the Transformation of Clay and Fire,” speaks to the history of ceramics, and the museum also features pottery workshops where people can watch experts using ancient traditions to create new forms of pottery.  Outside of the museum is a monument to the distinguished Lettigalian poet Antons Kūkojs (1940-2007).