The Daugava River is known as our river of destiny, the Daugava of our hearts, or our beloved mommy.  It is a large and full-blooded artery of water that has flowed through our land and our history.  The Vikings were aware of the river during the 5th century AD.  Krāslava is the site of an ancient castle hill, and the fearless sailors were well aware of it in that downriver from it, the ships could sail with raised sails.  It is known in Viking sagas as Dynasaiforgarðr.

Goods from the East sail down the river to Rīga, where it is reloaded into seafaring ships for delivery to Europe.  That has been the case for many centuries.  Many powers wanted to control and govern the process, as is seen in the large number of castle hills, castles and populated areas around the river’s banks.  The majestic ruins of the Koknese Castle, Krustpils, the grassy and mighty castle hill at Aizkraukle, another one at Daugmale.  The unique fortresses at Daugavgrīva and Daugavpils are like large keys that lock or unlock this mighty and ancient trade route.  Under the water in the Daugava are the ruins of the ancient Ikšķile Castle that was built by St Maynard himself.  It is seen as the first brick building in the Baltic States.  Nearby is Death Island, where Latvian riflemen fought for the future of their country and their land, defending each square metre of land.  The Daugava proved insurmountable for Bermont’s troops, and the riflemen defended Rīga successfully.

The curves of Daugava are unique.  The village of Slutišķi is particularly known because the Daugava there is just like it has been in the past.  The high dolomite shorelines and canyons that once made the Daugava unique in all of Northern Europe have now been lost in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants, as has the eternally weeping cliff of Staburags, the Liepavotu stream and the Pērse waterfall.  The age of national renaissance in Latvia importantly began with a battle against the construction of another power plant on the Daugava, which would have fully destroyed the beauty of the noble river.  We managed to protect it, if only a small part of it, but we succeeded.  We must not stop!

Te plašos aplokos mīt 38 sugu savvaļas dzīvnieki (kiangi, lāči, lūši, vilki, meža cūkas, aļņi, vāveres, plēsīgie putni) un visdažādāko šķirņu mājdzīvnieki – Latvijas zilās, Hailandes un Galovejas govis, Romanovas aitas, Vjetnamas cūkas, pīles, zosis, tītari u.c. Acīgākie dīķos pamanīs retās Eiropas kokvardes. Kalvenes pagasta „Cīruļi” – tā ir lieliska, nesteidzīga atpūta lauku vidē, iepazīstot dzīvo dabu!

Darba laiks no novembra līdz martam: katru dienu no 10:00 – 16:00
Darba laiks no aprīļa līdz oktobrim: katru dienu no 10:00 – 18:00

The square structure with walls that are nearly two metres thick became known as the Gunpowder Tower during the rule of Duke Jacob, because that is what was stored here.  There might have been a well here, because groundwater is close to the surface.  The tower and the castle were linked by a 12-metre bridge on one pillar.  The tower is only visible from the outside.

The church has a non-traditional design and layout: the altar is in the middle but the pulpit- above the altar. The church has also an original bell tower with a bell casted in 1634. The present wooden interior was created by the students of Riga Crafts High School. Next to the church there are ruins of the old church and the rectory where at the end of the 18th century as a tutor worked Garlieb Merkel who in Liepupe observed events used in his famous book "Latvians".

The café is in the basement of the Līgatne Cultural Centre. There is a summer terrace alongside the Līgatne River.

Latvian cuisine: Herring, cold soup, sausages, pork haché, hunter’s sausages, pork ribs, pancakes with cottage cheese, potato pancakes.

Special foods: The “Pie Jančuka” pork chop.

You can learn how to cook fish soup here, and the recipes are based on hundreds of years of fishermen's traditions in the Upper Aukštaitija region.  You'll learn all about local dining traditions, local lifestyles and traditions since the 13th century.  You can go fishing, as well as mushroom and berry picking.

The cafe in the guest house Imals, next to the highway Kandava-Sabile (9th km). In the ancient river valley of Abava, 5 km away from Sabile. Both traditional Latvian dishes and tasty grilled steaks with different garnishes; as well as Italian pastas or Chinese food.

Here you will learn about the history and cultural heritage of the Liv people of Vidzeme.  Tour the museum and enjoy once characteristic foods from the region – special porridge and a strong alcoholic beverage brewed in accordance with ancient recipes.  If your group wishes to do so, it can take part in the baking of rye bread in a true country oven.