Approximately 6 km to the south-west of Iecava is the home of the father of author Edvarts Virza (born Jēkabs Eduards Liekna, 1883-1940), Billītes.  The author and his wife, Elza Stērste, moved to the house in 1901.  Virza was one of Latvia's most outstanding 20th century authors, poets and prose writers, as well as publicist and translator.  He wrote many poems at Billītes, and in 1933 he produced his masterpiece, "Straumēni," which depicts the life of a Latvian farmer.  A museum dedicated to Virza is at the house today.  It was opened by his children and grandchildren.  Contact the museum in advance for a tour.

The wagon commemorates the 2,916 innocent people from Skrunda and the surrounding area who were deported to Siberia in cattle wagons.  It is found at Stacijas Street 1 near the Skrunda railroad station.

Traditionelle Spielzeuge von verschiedenen historischen Perioden und Völkern.
Eine Spielzeug- und Pupenwerkstatt.

“Airītes” is a museum found at the place where the first commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, Col Oskars Kalpaks and other Latvian soldiers (including three officers) fell during a battle on March 6, 1919.  The public donated money in 1920 to build a monument, and it was unveiled on September 3, 1922.  In 1935, work began on a building that was proposed by the Col Kalpaks Battalion organisation, the plan being to exhibit items related to Kalpaks’ battles.  It was opened a year later.  The monument was destroyed during the Soviet era, and the building housed a post office and some flats.  The memorial was restored during the national Renaissance in 1988 and 1989, and on November 11, 1990, the museum was reopened.  During renovations in 2007, the second floor burned down.  The museum and exhibition were renewed in 2013.  The exhibits speak to Kalpaks’ life during World War I and Latvia’s liberation battles.  Employees regularly organise commemorative events in honour of Kalpaks, as well as celebrations of Lāčplēsis (Veterans’) Day.

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.

This is a homestead that is three km from the centre of Vecpiebalga and is in a lovely place – the Incēni hill.  There is a museum here featuring the author of the legendary fairy tale “Pussy’s Mill” by Kārlis Skalbe (1879-1945).  The poet and prose writer built the building in 1926 and spent summers there from that year until 1944.  The museum was opened in 1987.  The western slope of Vaktskalns hill right alongside the museum offers a lovely view of Lake Alauksts.  The cremated remains of Skalbe and his wife, Lizete, were reinterred at the location in 1992 from Sweden, where the poet died.  There is a unique monument to them in the form of a stone boat.

The farm, established in 1874, today provides comfortable tourist accommodation, saunas, an outdoor pool and organic food made to centuries-old recipes. Its little museum exhibits the exquisite needlework and farm tools of previous generations. All these items have a story to tell about their former owners´ dreams and work.

Das Museum vom Zentrum Europas. Gegründet vom litauischen Bildhauer Gintaras Karosas. Mehr als 100 von Künstlern aus den 33 Ländern errichtete Installationen sind unter freiem Himmel ausgestellt.

The museum is located near Tartu in Ülenurme manor estate, and takes pride in its unique collection of agricultural machinery and a comprehensive exhibition on agriculture and rural life in Estonia through the centuries. Other exhibitions cover beekeeping, vehicles of the past and the use of straw and birch bark.
The museum has many educational programmes and training courses e.g. blacksmithing, restoration of woodwork, making wooden furniture, baking rye bread, national handicraft. National meals for groups should be booked in advance.

This farm is where the Latvian author Rūdolfs Blaumanis (1863-1908), founder of modern dramaturgy in Latvia, lived and worked.  The farm has been restored, and it is a typical leased farm in Vidzeme with eight wooden buildings.  Educational events and tours are available, featuring family celebrations, the mischief of little imps, and farm work.  You can taste Latvian porridge, pancakes, tea, and wine “from the sweet bottle.”