Until 13th century, Smiltene region was a part of Talava country, inhabited by Latgalians. After Crusaders invasion it was won by the Archbishop of Riga, and he built a stone castle on the steep river bank of Abuls in 1370. The following wars and epidemics did not spare the development of settlement, nor the people. Present shape of the town began to emerge in 19th century along with the vigorous activities of owner of Smiltene manor first Lieven. Until the World War I, wood working factory, hydroelectric power plant (established in 1901, first in the Baltics), and other companies were operating in Smiltene. In 1944 when the German forces retreated, much of the Smiltene historical buildings were destroyed in the fire.

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 owner offers groups of various sizes a chance to go to the sea in a fisherman’s boat and to watch shoreline fishing, as well. The lamprey eel weirs that are on the Svētupe River differ from those on the Salaca River in terms of their structure and the fishing principles. During the season, the owner prepares tasty smoked lamprey eels.

The hotel is on the banks of the Daugava River, which is the boundary river between Latvia and Belarus.  It offers Lettigalian foods, as well as parties in the Lettigalian, Belarusian and Polish style.
Latvian cuisine: Freshwater fish dishes, roast catfish.
Special foods: Stuffed and oven-baked pike.

Маршрут подходит для тех, кто любит наслаждаться природными и культурными ценностями! Сказочные Слитерские Синие горы известны уже с давних времен, когда на них «пираты» жгли ложные костры, чтобы корабли налетали на мель мыса Колки. В наше время берега национального парка «Слитере» образно наывают геологическим музеем Балтийского моря под открытым небом, так как здесь можно увидеть древний берег Балтийского ледникового озера, береговой уступ Анцильского озера и дюнные образования Литоринского моря (валообразные дюны (кангари) и заболоченные междюновые впадины (виги)), которые наглядно отображают историю развития Балтийского моря за последние 10 000 лет. Этот берег исторически населяли ливы, рыбацкие поселки которых являются значимой культурной средой одного из самых малых национальных меньшинств в мире. Маршрут на участке от Мазирбе до Колки ведет по старой прибрежной дороге, которая петляет через ливские поселки – Кошрагс, Питрагс, Саунагс и Вайде. Национальный парк «Слитере» – одна из наиболее флорестически богатых территорий Латвии, а мыс Колка – одно из популярнейших мест для наблюдения за птицами во время их миграции.

Информация о маршруте от Latvijas Lauku forums​​

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.

Die älteste (16 Jh.) der drei Burge am Fluss Nemunas. Renoviert nach dem 2. Weltkrieg. Heutzutage – eine Schule. Ein Park. Blick vom Burgturm.

This is the home of singer and oral tradition keeper Lidija Jansone, who is a holder of the Latvian Order of Tree Stars and a fierce defender of the cultural heritage of the Suiti people.  She will tell you about her community’s history and traditions and about the special bourdon singing of the Suiti.  Lidija will also talk about how beer was once brewed by our ancestors for various celebrations.