This location is important in terms of Latvia’s history, because during the 12th and 13th century, this was the administrative and spiritual centre of the Lettigalian tribe, with the ruler of Jersika being Visvaldis.  The castle stood on the shore of the Daugava at a height of 18 m, and this was a mighty castle hill.  The flat part of the hill measured 100 x 75 m, and it was surrounded by a barrier and a defensive wall made of logs.  People entered the castle via guarded gates beyond which there were residential and household buildings, as well as a small church.  Archaeologists have found the remnants of log buildings, as well as many antiquities from the 10th to the 13th century that speak to extensive trade relations with other parts of Europe, including ancient Russia.  In 1209, the forces of Bishop Albert fooled the people in the castle and sacked it and the ancient town that was around it.  Visvaldis’ family was taken hostage, and so the Lettigalian ruler was forced to become a vassal of the bishop.  The castle hill is privately owned, so please contact the owner before planning a visit.

Sāmsalas ziemeļrietumu daļā jūrā iestiepjas iespaidīgā Tagameizas pussala (Tagamõisa poolsaar). Tās ziemeļrietumu daļā meklējama mazāka – ap 5 km garā Harilaidas pussala (Harilaid). Pussalas vidusdaļā viļņojas Lajalepas ezers (Laialepa järv) - bijušais jūras līcis, kas zemes garozai ceļoties, kļuvis par iekšēju ūdenstilpi. Arī pati Harilaida (igauniski „laid” nozīmē „saliņa”) vairāk nekā trīs gadsimtus atpakaļ bijusi sala. Harilaidu iecienījuši ne tikai migrējošie putni, bet arī roņi, kurus piesaista vientuļi līči un akmeņainās sēres. Harilaidu var apmeklēt tikai ar kājām vai ar divriteni, bet spēkrati ir jāatstāj autostāvlaukumā. No tā ~ 1 km attālumā atrodas vieta, kur pēc 17. gs. radies Harilaidas savienojums ar Sāmsalu. Šeit paveras nepierasti klaja un akmeņaina ainava. Pārējā Harilaidas daļa ir apmežota pirms ~ 40 gadiem. Kopumā būs jāveic ~ 10 km garš pārgājiens.

This route offers most unusual views.  Seda is the only town in Latvia with Soviet-era planning from the middle of the last century, featuring a central square and streets stretching from it in a star pattern.  The architectural style of apartment and public buildings is rather exotic.  The Seda Swamp yielded peat moss during the first period of Latvia’s independence and is one of the largest industrial and environmental territories of its kind in Latvia and the Baltic States.  Former peat fields have partly become flooded and are overgrown with reeds, thus creating an outstanding environment for nesting water birds and migrating birds which rest at the swamp.  Peat is still being extracted, and perhaps you will be lucky enough to spot the “little peat moss train.”

Route information from Latvijas Lauku forums

Traditional Estonian food from products of organic farms Saare Ubin and Vatsliku.

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.

Ciemos gaidīti gan pāri, gan ģimenes, gan draugu kompānijas. Lauku sēta sastāv no piecām ēkām. Neskartā daba un tīrais gaiss ļaus atpūsties pilnīgā klusumā. Ap 50 m no Šventosios (Svētās) upes atrodas galvenā ēka, kurā ir divas guļamistabas ar tualeti un dušu nakšņošanai līdz 10 personām. Pirts namiņš būs ērts draugu lokam līdz 9 cilvēkiem. Pieejami trīs jauni VIP namiņi 2-4 cilvēkiem upes krastā. Piemērota vieta kāzu, dzimšanas dienu u.c. svinībām.

Bioloģiskā lopkopība. Saimniecībā audzē dažādus dzīvniekus – Galoveju šķirnes liellopus, Merino aitas,  kazas, muflonus, dažādus mājputnus un sliekas, kur katram dzīvniekam ir sava svarīga loma. Piedāvā dzīvnieku apskati un ieskatu bioloģiskajā saimniekošanā, atpūtu pie dabas.