Pēteris Barisons (1904-1947) was a Latvian composer and conductor, and this is his birthplace – the Skudras homestead.  The exhibition features the composer’s personal items, including musical instruments, documents and other bits of evidence about his life.  Call +371-6512-9504 to arrange for a visit.

The “Lamb Club” is a farm in Mazsalaca, and it is special because the sheep live in a real club!  The owners offer the atmosphere of a farm at which the sheep play major roles.  Enjoy mutton and sheep milk foods and beverages, feel how comfortable it is to read your favourite while sitting on a fluffy sheepskin, and, in order not to get cold by the campfire in the evening, you can purchase warm woollen socks and woven woollen cloaks.

The owners hope that people from Latvia and all around the world will spend more time at the farm, because accommodations involve a new glamping tent that is as close as possible to nature and the healthy rural environment.  Don’t lose a lick of the comfort that you are used to in your everyday life!

The owners, Ilze and Valters, will be happy to give you a tour during which they talk about herding sheep.  If you contact them in advance, they will prepare a tasty mutton meal for you.  The tour can also be supplemented with various activities such as games, quizzes and creative workshops at which sheep wool is utilised.
 

Lamprey catching and processing traditions started long ago in Carnikava, in the place where the River Gauja enters the sea. On the tour you can find out about lamprey and their preparation methods, as well as enjoy them grilled, jellied or in the form of lamprey sushi.

Latvian cuisine: Grilled lamprey, jellied lamprey, lamprey sandwiches.

The late Baroque and early Classicism building was commissioned by Duke Peter Byron of Courland and Zemgale, and it was built between 1773 and 1776 on the basis of a design by a Danish architect.  It was the castle of Duchess Anna.  The first university in Latvia, Academia Petrina was established here in 1775 and named after Duke Peter.  The first observatory was installed at the academy in 1772, and a high school was in the building during the age of the Russian Empire.  Among graduates are distinguished Latvians such as Krišjānis Barons, Jānis Alunāns and Jānis Čakste, as well as the Lithuanian Antanas Smetona.  The Jelgava Museum of History and Art took over the building in 1952, and in 1975 it was named after the Old Master Ģederts Eliass (1887-1975).  The exhibition speaks to the history of the city and surrounding area during and after the period of the Duchy of Courland and Zemgale.  Outside the impressive building are four cannons from the period of the duchy, as well as monument to Eliass that was designed in 1987 by the sculptor Jānis Zariņš.  Another monument, “Lāčplēsis and the Black Knight,” was designed by the sculptor Kārlis Jansons and commemorates the liberators of Jelgava.

SIA “Rundāles Dzirnavas” 2021. gadā īstenoja projektu, lai izveidotu nelielu alus darītavu un uzsāktu alus ražošanu Rundāles ūdensdzirnavu teritorijā.  Tiek ražots gaišais un tumšais alu, kura visas sastāvdaļas tiek iepirktas Latvijā, bet graudi no vietējiem zemniekiem. Videi draudzīgā iekārta atbilst jaunākajiem ES standartiem un prasībām.

Latvijas un ārvalstu tūristiem ir iespēja apvienot Rundāles pils apskati ar vēsturisko dzirnavu muzeja un alus darītavas apmeklējumu.

Kompleksa teritorijā ir daudz iespēju daudzveidīgai interesantai laika pavadīšanai. Vienas dienas laikā var apmeklēt aizraujošas ekskursijas pa dzirnavām un alus darītavu, pastaigāties pa vietējiem, tuvējiem apskates objektiem, uzņemt lieliskas fotogrāfijas, atpūsties pludmalē un vizināties ar laivu, katamarānu, SUP dēli. 

This section of the Forest Trail leads through the entire Gauja National Park and gives an opportunity to see all the most beautiful places and sights of this national park of more than 100 km. Gauja National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Latvia. The ancient valley of the River Gauja is the deepest river valley in the Baltic states. The banks of the River Gauja reveal colourful sandstone outcrops, which are reflected in the water. The sights are most wonderful in springtime, when bird cherry trees are in full bloom, and in autumn, as the trees turn red and yellow. The ancient valley of the River Gauja has a distinctive terrain relief that can fluctuate by up to 80 m. The largest part of the road leads through forest paths, along the river, and exits the woods in Līgatne and Sigulda.

Almost half of the park is covered by forest. Gauja National Park is known for the great diversity of specially protected forests, featuring herbaceous spruce forests, slope and ravine forests, as well as mixed broadleaf forests.

The town's name in historical sources was first mentioned in 1224. In 1340 Archbishop of Riga built a stone castle at the Latgalian hill fort (now - the Lutheran Church). In 1802 (owned until 1920) Vecgulbene estate was bought by Baron G. Wolf. Manors in the surroundings of Gulbene and Vecgulbene castle substantially suffered during the Revolution in 1905 and in the further historical events. Today, there is a substantial change in the landscape, especially in the area of White Castle, where a large-scale restoration works occurred in recent years. Either way, - Gulbene is the place worth visit to get new impressions and knowledge.

The Berķenele semi-estate is a historical monument of national importance, known as the place where the distinguished Latvian author and politician Rainis (1865-1929) spent his childhood.  The house was restored in 1995, and since 1996 it has been the Rainis house in Berķenele.  Rainis recorded his childhood impressions in a poetry collection called "Five Sketch Notebooks from Dagda." Today the managers of the house offer tours, creative workshops and exhibitions.  Visitors can don the clothing worn by the lord and his servants.  Around the house is a large orchard, featuring a programme called "Route of Apples."  The house also has a lovely landscape that is interesting to see. 

Lake Liepāja is shallow and eutrophic (around 40%), and it is one of the most important lakes on the shores of the Baltic Sea for nesting and migrating birds (resting and feeding place). More than 100 different species of birds have been spotted there. The lake is no less important for plants which flourish in salty biotopes. On the north-eastern shore of Lake Liepāja (Vītiņu meadow) there are flood-land plains which are the home to domestic animals which have been adapted to life in the wild. There is also a viewing tower, available upon request with the guide. The system of dams along the south-western part of the lake can be hiked or biked (extreme!) to find lots of interesting viewing areas and landscapes. In the surrounding of the lake there are ruins of unique former fortification systems.