Rīga – Iecava – Bauska – Brukna
Eduard’s Virza memorial house „Billītes” - Located in the Salgale Parish, about 6 km from Iecava, is the home of the father of Edvarts Virza (born Jēkabs Eduards Lieksna, 1883-194), “Billītes,” to which the family moved in 1901. Virza was a distinguished 20th century writer, poet, prose writer, publicist and translator. He wrote many poems at “Billītes,” and in 1933, he released his legendary novel “Straumēni” about the lives of Latvian farmers. A museum in honour of Virza is at the homestead today. The horse chestnut tree that is alongside the home is the largest one in Latvia (a diameter of 4.2 m and a height of 0.4 m). It is described in “Straumēni.”
The Mazmežotne estate stands on a hill by the Lielupe river. The place is surrounded by nature and offers rooms for guests, food service, rooms for celebrations and seminars. For active holidays, one can enjoy cycling, boating and walks on nature trails and paths in the surroundings. An old shed has been renovated for parties and concerts. A former creamery building has been converted into a sauna house with a tub, a resting room and a terrace.
The Rundāle Castle is known as Latvia’s true jewel of Baroque and Rococo architecture, and it is certainly the country’s most important historical monument in relation to those two styles. The castle was at first the summer residence of the duke of Courland, Ernst Johan Byron (1690-1772), and it was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. There is a museum in the castle, and the restored Baroque French garden is the largest garden of its type in the Baltic States.
Bruknas manor house was built in the 18th century, but got ruined in the Soviet times. Currently it is being renovated, including the garden. Very interesting is the Renaissance-style root and herb garden, which is maintained by the manor's inhabitants. Plant species change in it every year. Only a small part of the area of 20 ha is occupied by a park (recently planted), but it is worth seeing, especially for rosaries and vines. There are also rare species like edible chestnuts and an old “Grušovka Moskovskaya” apple tree. The garden is decorated with many donated sculptures.
