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Cēsis is in the centre of the Gauja National Park, but it is not part of the park as such. There are many interesting places in Cēsis to visit and examine. The oldest part of the town is of key interest. The origins of Cēsis can be found at Riekstu hill, which is 18 metres high. Between the 11th and 13th century, there was a wooden castle here built by the Vendians. The hill is in the central part of the castle park, and it offers a good view of the park, pond and the ruins of the Cēsis castle, which can be accessed via a long cascade of stairs. The Cēsis castle (see below) was built in the early 13th century as a residence for masters of the Livonian Order, and it was one of the strongest fortresses in the Baltic territories. Alongside it is the New Cēsis castle, which was built in 1777 where the gate fortifications once stood. The Cēsis Museum of History and Art is in the building, alongside which is a visitors centre and the Cēsis Tourism Information Centre. From the tower of the castle, there is a fine view of the castle ruins, St John's Lutheran church and the northern part of the town. Opposite the New Cēsis castle are stables and a wheelhouse (both from the first half of the 19th century). The Cēsis Exhibition Hall is there today. You can look at the exteriors of the granary, the hut for coachmen, and the old brewery. On the other side of the street is the romantic Maija park, which was installed in the 1830s. The park is popular among parents with children, because there is a playground there. From this area, you can walk down some of the old streets of the town – Lielās Katrīnas, Mazās Katrīnas, Mazā Kalēju, Kalēju and Lielā Līvu streets, plus Līvu Square. The wooden buildings along the streets date back to the late 18th and early 19th century. Torņa Street, which weaves its way along the defensive walls of the Medieval castle, offers a look outside the church of a sculpture by Matiass Jansons, "As the Centuries Pass". Legend says that if you rub the lantern carred by the Old Man of Time, you can see the future. One of the most impressive buildings in Cēsis is St John's Lutheran Church, which was built in the late 13th century for the Livonian Order. It is a basilica built in the Roman style and with Gothic elements. The tower, which is 65 m high, was built in 1853. The building was reconstructed several times during the 20th century. Inside the building are grave epitaphs for masters of the Livonian Order and for bishops. The pulpit was installed in 1748, the oak altar followed in 1858, and the altar painting "The Crucified One" dates back to 1862. The stained glass windows around the altar are of great artistic value. The organ was built in 1907 by the E.F. Walker Company, and the instrument is one of the best concert organs in Latvia. A sun clock featuring the year 1744 is at the south-western corner of the church. It is worth climbing the church's tower. At the foot of the building is Rose Square, which began as a market square in the mid-19th century, remained in place until 1927, and was restored in 2008. This is the central square in the town today. During the Medieval Era, there were stockades here, along with the city's well. Rīgas Street has been the main street of the old town from the very beginning, and it is here that you will find the most architecturally outstanding buildings in town from the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the former Cēsis City Hall, the Fābers building, and the Princess building. At one end of the street is Līvu Square, where, during the 13th century, there was a church, a cemetery and a gate in the town walls. Today the square features a lighted fountain which is on the site of a 13th century well known as Lejas Šķimbēgs. At the other end of the street is a reconstruction of the foundations and surface elements of the Rauna gate that was a part of the town walls in the 14th and 15th centuries. The site offers a good idea about Medieval fortifications and the size and mightiness of gates therein.

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The Grey Dune of Pāvilosta nature reserve covers 42 hectares of land and has been designated to protect Latvia’s widest dune (1.5 km parallel the seacoast, and 812m in the direction from the sea to inland) and the biotopes and species found there. A two-storied watching platform is built to savour the scenery.

 In Soviet time, local fishermen used to dry seaweed in dunes for production of agar, and thus rich vegetation developed in the dune. The Gray Dune is part of a unique landscape with the sea view, the traditional architecture of Pāvilosta fishing town, and biotopes, including protected, which border the nature reserve: pine forest, embryonic dunes, white dunes, and wet beech where once can find springs. Biotope 2130, “Fixed dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes)” is found here. At present, pines are taking over the biotope, therefore some maintenance activities are required. The Grey Dune is most beautiful in the second half of July and in August when the blossoming Breckland Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and Narrowleaf Hawkweed (Hieracium umbellatum) colour the dune in shades of yellow and violet. The most typical species here are Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla pretense), Grey Hair-grass(Corynephorus canescens), Blue Hair Grass (Koeleria glauca), Sand Pink (Dianthus arenarius).

The Gray Dune earned wide recognition when a group of enthusiasts actively campaigned for six years to achieve the status of the nature reserve. Guna Grimsta, a group representative remembers that they organised events and activities throughout Latvia involving large part of the society, prominent personalities, church parishes, NGOs, school youth and university students. The activists were writing letters, making videos, doing research articles, composing music, collecting signatures and submitting proposals to achieve official status of the Grey Dune as an especially protected nature site. They organised seminars, concerts, art plenaires and exhibitions, educational excursions, joint-work, musical church services, meetings with high officials and their on-site visits to the Gray Dune.

In 2006 the group received the title „Proudness of Latvia” awarded by the national TV3 broadcasting company and daily paper „Diena”.
The nature reserve „Gray Dune of Pāvilosta” was established in October 30, 2007. It is the most recent Natura2000 site in Latvia.

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The potters engage in traditional pottery from various eras, and they also study ancient forms, materials and methods which ancestors centuries ago put to use. You can tour the facility, examine the kiln, work with clay, purchase ceramics products, and inspect a collection of ancient tools and ceramics. You are invited to attend the opening of the kiln, as well.

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(V-1279) linked Kuldīga and Alsunga before a new road was built.  The lovely gravel road weaves through forests and farmland.  During appropriate weather, it can be used as an alternative road to learn about the landscapes of the Suiti region.  You can also bike down the road.

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This lighthouse is in Ovīši, which is an ancient Livonian village. The 38-metre lighthouse on Cape Ovīši was built in 1814 and modernised in 1860, and it is the oldest functioning lighthouse in Latvia today. Visitors will get a great view of the shores of the Baltic Sea and the forests which cover them. The lighthouse also offers an exhibition devoted to the history of lighthouses in Latvia.
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One of the most important locations for migrating water birds in terms of rest and feeding in Latvia is the Svēte flood-land, which overflows in the spring time, along with the Svēte polder. It has been calculated that when circumstances are good, tens of thousands of birds can be seen in the area – swans, geese, corn-crakes, pintails, predatory birds, plover-type birds, etc.

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The ship and coast guard missile repair workshops in the forests around Bārta in the Liepāja District are very impressive in visual terms. The facility is owned by the regional local government and is being dismantled to obtain building materials.
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The park was founded by the gardener Arvīds Janitens. Professor Raimonds Cinovskis has said that Arvīds is just amazing, because he alone did work that would usually be done by a big group of people. This is one of the most popular tourism destinations of its kind in Latvia.
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Elkas kalna saimniecība is located on the top of the scenic Elkas Hill, the place where the Gauja begins. Herbal teas, birch sap, jams and other healthy delicacies from local meadows and home-grown plants. There are also nature workshops, open-air picnic areas.

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This is one of the most important destinations in Northern Kurzeme, offering a wealth of information about the history of the region and the shoreline, its cultural and historical values, the building of sailing ships, fishing traditions, local residents and their work and achievements.  The museum was opened in 1968, and right now it has permanent exhibitions about Krišjānis Valdemārs, the Roja maritime school and the building of sailing ships in the 19th century.  There is also information about the history of fish processing from the 19th century to the present day, the Liv Shore, and the Soviet contributions toward the development of the coastline.  The museum features three women from Kurzeme from different historical periods – Mildiņa, who is a simple fisherman’s wife, Mrs Pauliņš from the era of sailing ship building, and Anna Petrovna from the Soviet era.  The three women offer attractive information about objects that are not exhibited at the museum, also displaying the naughty sense of humour that people in Kurzeme have. (Source: Roja TIC)

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This is a sandstone cliff with several arches, pillars and niches.  The set of caves (Little Hell, Devil’s Kiln, Devil’s Cave, Liepmuiža Cave and Liepa Cave) are a bit more than 20 m, with a ceiling height of 3.5 m and a width of 5 m.  A powerful stream flows from the cave, which is thought to have been formed around 7,000 years ago.  The cave is much damaged, because white sand was dug from it in the early 20th century.  Great Ellīte is an ancient cult site.  Today the site has been much improved.

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The Turaida Museum Reserve is found at the place where the deep gullies of a number of small streams split up the right bank of the ancient Gauja River valley. The Turaida Museum Reserve features monuments of Baltic importance, and their history dates back more than 1,000 years. Among the treasures are the Turaida Estate (21 buildings), the grave of the Rose of Turaida, the Turaida Lutheran Church (one of the oldest wooden churches in Latvia, 1750), and the Turaida Castle. Nearby is Folk Song Hill, where various thematic events are organised.

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The tower is in the western part of the Vasenieki swamp, and an interesting nature trail with information stands and pathways was recently established there. The tower offers a look at unique swampland – visitors can survey the entire swamp. Wear proper footwear when it is damp outside!
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Pilsētā nebija lielu rūpniecības uzņēmumu, un tās iedzīvotāji nodarbojās galvenokārt ar amatniecību, tirdzniecību un lauksaimniecību. Ilūkste tika pilnībā nopostīta 1. pasaules kara laikā un smagi cieta arī 2. pasaules kara laikā. Šodien Ilūkste ir klusa pierobežas mazpilsēta, ko ieskauj gleznains dabas apvidus. Apskates objekti: bijušā jezuītu klostera ēka un Ilūkstes katoļu baznīca.
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The restaurant is located in the first five-star hotel located outside the cities in Latvia, in a beautiful place with a story and a future - in Amatciems.

 Chefs use local, natural products to prepare meals and serve them with a contemporary interpretation and an emphasis on taste and quality.

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Dvietes un netāli esošais Skuķu ezeri ir vieni no teritorijas grūti pieejamajiem palieņu ezeriem – lielākie šāda tipa ezeri Latvijā. Palu laikā pārplūst, savienojoties vienā lielā ūdenskrātuvē.
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The craftsman uses experimental archaeological methods to produce the jewellery of ancient Baltic tribes. He will tell you about their symbolism, meaning and wearing traditions. You can tour the workshop and purchase jewellery that has been made there.

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This is a large, outstanding and expressive tree, Latvia’s thickest Norway Maple (Accer platanoides).
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The Skaistkalne Roman Catholic Church is in the southern part of Skaistkalne and on the right bank of the Mēmele River valley. The Baroque church is known as the most beautiful Catholic church in Zemgale. The ornate interior and the graves of clergymen and noblemen can be toured.

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Prepares dishes from local Latvian products. The menus are changed every season, meaning that the guests can enjoy seasonal dishes. The 360-degree glazed terrace offers a picturesque view of Rose Square, in the heart of Cēsis City.