Das alte zemgalicshe wirtschaftspolitische Zentrum, das eine stark befestigte Siedlung vor der Ankunft der Kreuzritter war. Die Ruinen der Burg des Livländischen Ordens.

The Līgatne Paper Factory is located at Pilsoņu Street 1 in Līgatne. The factory was first built in place of an old paper windmill by two tradesman from Rīga who also built dormitories for residents. These structures are an important component in the urban environment of Līgatne. The rapid flow of the Līgatne River allowed the factory to produce writing paper, stationary and wrapping paper. In 1858, the factory was brought by a local nobleman who brought in new equipment from Scotland. If some 100 people worked at the factory during the first half of the 19th century, then that number rose to 600 by the end of the century and 800 at the beginning of the 20th century. Writing paper was the primary product from the factory, although there were sometimes special orders. During World War I, for instance, the factory produced paper on which the Russian military printed its maps. This allowed the factory to hold an important role in the Russian market. During the Soviet era, the factory at Līgatne produced notebooks and other products that were sent all over the USSR. Today the factory mostly produces wrapping paper of various kinds from waste paper. The Līgatne Paper Factory is the only functioning entity of its kind in Latvia, and there are guides available to give you a tour. The historical centre of the campus on which the factory sits is a cultural monument. The Līgatne Tourism Information Centre (_371-6415-3313) offers tours of the centre during which you will learn about the lives of the factory's workers and administrators in the late 19th and early 20th century. Back then there was major construction work at the factory to build residences for workers, a school, a childbirth facility, a hospital, a club, a guesthouse and other buildings which have survived to the present day.

An impressive set of military structures between the Baltic Sea and Lake Liepāja and Lake Tosmare.  Construction of the fortress began in the late 19th century on the basis of a decree by Russian Tsar Alexander III, and it cost 45 million gold roubles.  The fortress includes accommodations and elements of fortifications – sites for cannons, trenches, gunpowder cellars, systems of canals, a narrow-gauge rail line, etc.  In 1908, the fortress was shut down because of a change in Russia’s defence concept, and the construction of it was declared to have been a strategic mistake.  There were attempts to blow up the underground structures and cellars during World War I, but that did not really succeed.  Some elements of the fortress were of great importance in Latvia’s liberation battles.  Surviving today are the Northern forts, the Central fort, the Eastern fort, the Southern fort, the shoreline defensive batteries (No. 23, 3), Redāns, Lunete, and others.  Most are not improved, so visits may be dangerous.  The northern part of the fortress includes the Military Port, which has experienced seven different armies and regimes. During the Soviet years, it was closed to civilians.  There are many outstanding monuments to military history.  Tourists love the Karosta prison, which offers educational programmes.

The spoon workshop offers useful objects such as wooden spoons, cutting boards, butter knives, pans, spatulas, etc. You can produce your own wooden spoon and look at finished spoons made of more than 17 different types of wood from Latvia. During the summer the owners offer “pancake tours” with tasty jams. You can purchase spoons and homemade wine.

Historians say that the Livs or Livonians lived in the territory of Latvia long ago, starting in the 10th century.  They populated Northern Kurzeme and the river banks of the Daugava and Gauja rivers.  They asked the first German tradesmen who appeared in the area about the price of textiles at the market in Visby.  This means that they were familiar with the island of Gotland.  The Livonians were courageous and spiritually strong seafarers, because only strong men can live with the sea, go fishing and seal trapping, and take root in the by no means fertile sands of the seashore.

The territory between Ģipka and Ovīši is known as the Livonian coastline.  There are still romantic seashore fishing villages of Livonian origin, as well as Cape Kolka, where the great Latvian activist Krišjānis Valdemārs insisted that it was the centre of Europe.  Livonians all along the seashore responded to his call by taking part in building sailing ships all the way up to Ainaži, where there was a maritime school.  That allowed the ships to sail to the far corners of the world, thus creating a century of sailing ships.  This wasn’t possible without the Livonians.  Also on the coastline are the oldest lighthouses in Latvia, with the one at Ovīši still serving as a star that shows the route for seaborne ships that are heading for Rīga.

The Livonian heritage is also seen in the tradition of fishing for lamprey eels – something that is still very much in place in Carnikava, Svētciems and Salacgrīva.  Old-time fishing equipment that cannot be seen anywhere else is on display in the latter town.

The Latvian nation emerged when the Livonians flowed together with the Lettigalians, the Livonians joke.  It may be that there is some truth in the anecdote.  Liv or Livonian culture, lifestyles and history are closely linked to Latvia and cannot be separated from it.

The Pinnu (Dievekļa) Sacrificial Stone is at Ulmale, some 300 m from the Liepāja-Ventspils highway (there are signs). This is a very beautiful and distinct bowl-type rock, and the indentation at the top is 15 cm deep and up to 61 cm in diameter. It is thought that this was an ancient cult location, particularly between the 16^th and 18^th centuries.

A family-owned company that makes culinary and confectionery products in Jaunannas Parish, Alūksne Municipality. Delicious meat roulettes and rolls, prepared using Grandmother's recipes, and other meat products in a wide assortment, as well as special "Gustiņa" confectionery products can be purchased in Alūksne - taste store "Gustiņš". In the café “Gustiņš” you can enjoy a delicious and rich homemade meal, and taste the special dishes characteristic to the locals of Alūksne – malēnieši (booking in advance).

The tour introduces modern day life in rural Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania and includes visits to small farms raising livestock and producing delicious foods, and to ethnographic villages preserving the traditional lifestyle in a contemporary environment. The tour also involves sites of historical and cultural interest.

The tour gives a look beyond the usual tourism sites to get to know the three Baltic states more deeply. It starts in the historic Latvian capital, Riga, followed by the Gauja National Park with its castles, manors and walking trails. Climb the tower of medieval Turaida Castle for amazing views over the valley and visit the ancient jewellery master in the castle of the charming town of Cesis. 

Across the border in Estonia, walk streets with elegant villas at Parnu sea resort before catching a ferry to Saaremma island. Ethnographic Koguva village, ancient churches and windmills are typical of the island, as is an embroidering tradition. Then it's off to Tallinn with its medieval Old Town and to the rocky landscapes of Lahemaa National Park with fishing villages and manors. Try Estonian national dishes at the pub in Altja. Driving back, stop at the university town of Tartu. In Latvia again, visit goat farms and a traditional black bread bakery. Then the tour heads towards the west coast with the cities of Liepaja and, across the border in Lithunaia, Klaipeda. Next is the incredible Curonian Spit. Before Vilnius, take a detour to Grutas Park with its bizarre Soviet statuary. Finish the journey at picturesque Trakai Castle in Lithuania and Rundale Palace in Latvia.

Latviskais pirts rituāls ozola ieskautā lauku pirtiņā. Pirts procedūrās tiek izmantoti dabīgi un pašgatavoti materiāli (augu un zaru slotiņas, skrubīši, lāvas paklājiņi, tējas u.tml.), skaņu instrumenti (sajūtu bunga, zvanga, lietus koki, zvaniņi u.c.), klūgu slotiņas, latviešu tautas dziesmas, labi un stipri vārdi.