The Archangel Michael Catholic Church of Subate is in the historical centre of Subate. The building, which does not have a tower, was built of fieldstones in 1831, with financing from Count Mikhail Sieberg-Plater. An impressive bell tower was built in front of it. The church contains a sculptural group, “Golgotha,” from the late 18^th century, along with a crucifix and a major altar relief that is made of carved wood. It is based on the globally famous Leonardo da Vinci fresco “The Holy Supper.”

Located in the centre of Atbrīvošanas Alley, this statue is a monument to the liberation of Latgale and the unity of Latvia and is officially called “Unified for Latvia.”  The bronze monument was unveiled in 1939 (sculptor K. Jansons, designer L. Tomačisks).  In 1940, the Soviet regime tried to destroy the monument, but it was restored in August 1943.  A second attempt to destroy the monument occurred in June 1950, and this time the process was successful.  After the restoration of Latvia’s independence, “Māra of Latgale” was installed for a third time on August 3, 1992, sculpted by the son of K. Jansons, A. Jansons, on the basis of old designs.  “Māra of Latgale” is one of the best examples of monumental sculpture in Latvia.  Latvian mythology personifies the goddess Māra as a provider of fertility for earth and a protection of life.  The cross that is part of the ensemble is a symbol of the Christian faith.

Duke Jacob of Courland was a ruler of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale for 40 years (1642-1682).  There were great changes during his rule, with the ship building industry developing rapidly, the first factories appearing, and agricultural output improving.  The duke had a large fleet that brought grain, meat, butter, wool, timber and all that was manufactured at baronial estates in Zemgale and Courland to Western Europe.  The fleet was so big and strong that its ships sailed not just to Europe, but also all the way to Tobago and Gambia, where colonies were established to bring sugar, coffee and spices to Europe.

The duchy built ships, manufactured paper and saltpetre and wove textiles, brocade and tapestries.  Iron manufacturing was highly developed, and ore was imported from Sweden.  This made it possible to forge nails, anchors, bells, cannons and other firearms.  The duchy produced vodka, vinegar and gunpowder for which there was great demand in Europe, because there were attacks and defences that required it.  As much as 25 tonnes of gunpowder were produced each year.  One of the gunpowder towers is still in Kandava, though it has been rebuilt many times.  The duchy manufactured sails and ropes, as well as hemp ropes.  It was said that the fleet of the Queen of England would not have existed without those ropes.  The duke also thought about selection of grain, bred livestock, improved land with land reclamation and tried to expand output from his fields.

Jacob did not manage to do everything that he wanted to do.  A canal to avoid the Venta rapids was not finished, and plans such as the colonisation of Australia were not finished.  Yet the era of Duke Jacob was a period of great change in the territory of Latvia, and it has not gone unnoticed that the great achievements of the duke occurred on a small plot of European land.  That proves that wise management can ensure lots of progress.

Auch Königstor (Kuningavärav) genannt. Im Barockstil gebaut ist ein Teil der früheren mittelalterlichen Stadtbefestigung. Der Beginn des alten Postweges.

The Rēzekne castle hill is an impressive hillock (15 m) on the right bank of the Rēzekne River. From the 9^th to the 12^th century, there was a Lettigalian castle here. In 1285, the Livonian Order began to build a two-story stone castle on the site, and its ruins have survived to this very day. Alongside the castle hill is the Eastern Latvian Creative Service Centre - „Zeimuļs”, along with a tourism information centre.

This route passed along many places where events directly related to the emergence of the Latvian state and to the subsequent freedom battles occurred.  The historical route from Rīga to Liepāja via Dobele, Saldus, Skrunda, Durbe and Grobiņa was used as long ago as the 13th century.

People in the Kurzeme region of Latvia have always eat sea, river and lake fish, particularly smoked fish.  Potted smoked cod, served in a clay pot, is a particular delicacy, as are smelts, sea pike, sprats, herring and salmon, available all year long.  Ladies of the house bake tasty rye bread, sourdough bread and tasty carrot buns, and they also cook various porridges from barley.

Dairy products, Summer Solstice cheese and “white butter” has an important role. Fresh goat milk cheese is prepared with dills and garlic, and goat milk cheese is also tasty. Menus will include local domestic fowl and meat dishes, including roasts, ribs, sausages, as well as more exotic dishes such as pig’s tongue and bull testicles. Fancy taverns will offer pheasant and wild game with mushrooms, lingonberries, juniper berries and wild herbs.

In Kurzeme you will be greeted with delicious pies, sheet cakes, poppy seed pastries and honey cakes, biscuits with poppies and cranberries, dessert from rye bread, lingonberries or cranberries and sweet cream.Blackberry dumplings are popular. More unusual are marmalades made from wild plants such as mountain ash, cranberries and even fir needles. Slake your thirst with aromatic herbal teas with honey and enjoy a mug of beer or some homemade wine.

The tower is on the western shore of the lake, next to the dam and the Zvidze canal. From here you will see the overgrowth north-western part of the lake, Akmeņsala Island, and a wide area of open water. The third is on the southern shore of the lake, by the dam and the Īdeņa canal. Here you will find typical views of wetlands – areas of reeds, shrubbery, wet meadows and the overgrown lake.