| No | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
The Lutheran Church of Krimulda is considered one of the oldest churches in Latvia. It was originally built in the 13th century, soon after the conquest of Kubesele and later rebuilt many times. Near the church a meditation labyrinth "Lily Flower" is set up. When Liv chief Kaupo fell during the battle at Viljandi in 1217, according to the legend, the ash was buried at the church. A small hill adjacent to Runtinupite (Runtins) is popularly known as a grave site of Kaupo, at its right bank is located ~7 m long, artificially dug Kubesele or Runtin cave. On the left bank of Runtinupite columns the Kubesele hill fort. Kubesele nature trail starts at the church. This trail leads to the Gauja River, where the Great (Runtina) stone lies. Here can be seen anchor pads installed by Gauja raftsmen. Krimulda medieval castle (4 km east of Krimulda Church) was built the second half of the 13th century in the place where the right bank of Gauja valley is split by deep ravine of Vikmeste. Castle (residence of Riga dome capitol - Riga's Archbishop Council) was an imposing building, whose big inner yard was included by 1.5 m thick defensive wall. In 1601, while retreating, Swedish military leader Heinrich Lieven blasted Krimulda castle. Now at the hill fort, grown with the forest a small castle ruins can be seen. Nearby is located air cableway and starts Krimulda mountain road. Located nearby Krimulda manor was first mentioned in writings in the 15th century. Present manor castle was built in the 19th century in neoclassical style (owner - First Lieven). During the twenties of the 20th century, the castle after its alienation became a property of the Latvian Red Cross, which established here children's sanatorium. Nowadays the castle houses rehabilitation hospital "Krimulda", but from the farm buildings, manor stables, barn, servant, manager houses and the so-called Swiss Cottage and Park have been preserved. Thematic tours are offered here. If we go down the Gauja by boat, then we will be able to take a close look at about 15 m high Velnalas cliffs. They can be well seen also from the opposite - left bank of Gauja (resting place is established). In the middle of the cliff about 19 m deep and 4.7 m high Krimulda Velnala cave is located. If we go from the Velnala cave cliffs along the lower part of the right bank of Gauja in Turaida direction, you will see Pikenes cliff, rich with sandstone outcrops. At its foot ~ 1 km long Pikenes beaver trail is established. The Little Devil's Cave (5 m long) is on the side of the trail, with the Gudribas (Wisdom) spring that springs out of the cave, as well as Aunapieres cave which is the same length as Devils cave. Small oxbow lakes also can be seen. |
|
 |
Vēstures avotos pirmoreiz minēta 1483. g. Pilsētas uzplaukums bija vērojams pēc dzelzceļa uzbūvēšanas 19. gs. beigās, kad barons Korfs sadalīja un iznomāja apbūvei muižas zemi. Pilsētas tiesības Priekule ieguva 1928. g. Pilsēta smagi cieta 2. pasaules kara pēdējos mēnešos, - t.s. Kurzemes katla laikā, kuru laikā tika sagrautas 410 no 450 ēkām. Mūsdienās tā ir neliela pilsētiņa ar mazstāvu apbūvi un nesteidzīgu dzīves ritmu. |
|
 |
The Old Town of Kandava is located around the old Market Square and dates back to 1881, after a fire in the town. The urban environment in Kandava is made up of farms with various buildings, closed yards, passageways and walls made of fieldstones. These can be seen in Talsu Street and Sabiles Street. Uncommon for Latvia is Lielā Street. At the foot of the Bruņinieku Castle Hill is a model of the Castle of the Livonian Order that was created in 2010. |
|
 |
Apdzīvota vieta ~ 1 km dienvidos no Daugavpils – Krāslavas (A 6) ceļa, kas pazīstama ar savu neparasto nosaukumu. Interesanti, ka vietvārds saistīts arī ar iedzīvotāju uzvārdiem, ko var redzēt tāda paša nosaukuma kapos. Ciema apkaimē pazīstams ir Lielo Muļķu svētavots, kuru gan nezinātājam ir grūti atrast, tādēļ ieteicams izmantot vietējā gida pakalpojumus, apvienojot šīs vietas izziņu ar biškopības saimniecības „Cīruļi” apskati. |
|
 |
In a document from 1387, the village is named Minor Irva. Until the mid-20th century, Mazirbe was the largest Livonian village on the coast of Kurzeme. It was a fishing village and a centre for fishing. The village had a church, school, pharmacy, forestry company, several stores, a post and telegraph office, train station, barber shop, bakery and photo workshop, as well as a brick kiln. During the 1930s, a local fishing co-operative built a fish processing plant here. The Livonian Association was established here in 1923, and the Livonian People's Centre was opened in 1939. Oppoite the centre is the Stūrīši homestead (the home of the Taizel dynasty), where you can learn about everyday household objects and, by ordering it advance, taste local foods. The first chairmen of the Livonian Association, Kārlis Stalte and Māritņš Lepste, lived in Mazirbe. Cultural worker Kārlis Stalte (1870-1978) spent man years as the verger and organist of a church in Mazirbe. Mārtiņš Lepste was a Livonian language teacher in the 1930s. The former Maritime School building can be viewed from the outside. Some 2,000 students attended the school between 1894 and 1914. During Soviet years, the army had a base here. |
|
 |
Durbe is the smallest town in Latvia with a distinguished history, as well as the smallest city in the country in terms of population (some 500 residents). Durbe was first mentioned in a Courlandian document. In 1260, there was a legendary battle at Durbe between the joint forces of the Livonian Order and the German Order and local tribes, including Courlandians who left the German forces to join the tribes. One of Latvia's first professional gardeners, Sīmanis Klevers (1834-1922) lived and worked in Durbe, and it is thanks to him that the local gardens feature many rare types of apple trees. The herald of Durbe, which was approved in 1925 features a silver apple tree. Several local farms have fruit orchards, and there are many active gardeners. An apple festival is held each September in Durbe. |
|
 |
Known as Alšvanga in the past, this place was mentioned for the first time in 1231 in an agreement that was signed between the deputy legate of the pope in Rome and the Courlandian tribes of the region. The Livonian Order ruled the territory until 1561, and from 1573 until 1738 the order’s castle belonged to the von Schwerin dynasty from Pomerania. It during the rule of this aristocratic family that a stone church was built in honour of Archangel Michael, and local residents began to convert to Catholicism. Alsunga became the Catholic centre for all of Kurzeme, and local residents became known as the Suiti (from the Schwerin suite). For nearly 400 years, Alsunga has been the historical centre of the Suiti territory. This is Latvia’s most conservative region and is widely known with unusual songs, colourful folk costumes and various folk traditions and beliefs. The Suiti have their own dialect, foods and many other things that have been long since abandoned or forgotten elsewhere in Latvia. The religious has commingled with the folk here in one unique whole. The Alsunga District covers 191 km2 and has some 1,500 residents. |
|
 |
The Capital of Latvia. The Old Town of Riga (included in UNESCO Cultural Heritage list) - an excellent medieval building monument. The pearl of Art Noveau in Europe. The former city of Hanza. |
|
 |
Ap 200 m garajā un izstieptās formas laukumā no 16. – 20. gs. atradās Liepājas tirgus. Laukuma malās tolaik bija izveidojusies vienstāvu apbūve – iebraucamās sētas, viesnīcas un dārzi. Līdz ar Pētertirgus izveidi 1910. gadā, izmainījās arī laukuma apveidi un to ieskaujošā apbūve. Laukuma DA malā slejas iespaidīgā Liepājas Svētās Annas Luterāņu baznīca. |
|
 |
In the 15th century, Preili manor became the property of Count Borhs family. Borhs were living here until the 60ties of 19th century. The city itself formed in the first half of the 19th century by fusion of Preili Manor, the village and free village - settlement of traders and craftsman. In the 19th century a luxurious palace was built in Preili and Landscape Park was created. Today Preili is an important economic centre of Latgale (cheese and sewing plants), where t folklore, crafts and Catholicism traditions are fostered. Preili tour in the guidance of TIC employee Irena Kjarkuza is highly recommended. |
|
 |
Maza apdzīvota vieta ar dažām viensētām uz pussalas (salos tulkojumā no lietuviešu valodas nozīmē „sala") starp vairākiem ezeriem. Salos II ir viens no sešiem Augštaitijas nacionālā parka etnogrāfiskajiem ciemiem. Ciems patiks tiem, kas meklē ļoti nomaļas vietas ar vecām guļbaļķu dzīvojamām un saimniecības ēkām. No Salos II pa sauszemes maršrutu var doties pārgājienā līdz Ladakalnim un Ginuču pilskalnam (sk. iepriekš). |
|
 |
The largest town in South-Eastern Latvia is on the banks of the Daugava River, which is the border between Latvia and Belarus at this location. The border runs down the middle of the river. Piedruja has two parts – Piedruja and Aleksandrova, which are separated by a central street (the V 631 road). Piedruja emerged from the Druja town that was on the left bank of the Daugava. During the 17th century, the two parts were owned by the Stapekha dynasty of Lithuanian aristocrats. It is worth strolling through the town, because the low-level wooden houses are reminiscent of buildings that are exhibited in open-air ethnographic museums. Piedruja is neat and tidy, with two churches and the Daugava rock that are part of a local hiking trails. Aleksandrova has a tourist accommodation, “Piedruja,” which offers special soirées in the Lettigalian, Russian and Belarusian style. Please be aware that you need a temporary permit to enter the border zone. The Border Guard facility is in Piedruja and at a place where there was a Daugava crossing point comparatively recently. |
|
 |
A small town on the way from Riga to Bauska. Town's name is first mentioned in written sources in 1492. Here you can see Lutheran Church and former Manor Park |
|
 |
Renda is a very old town, first mentioned in historical sources in 1230. During the 13th century, Renda was one of the centres of the ancient Courlandian land of Vanema. When Courland was split up in 1235, Renda was taken over by the German Order, and local residents were forcibly drafted into its military. During the age of the Duchy of Courland (1562-1795), the region flourished despite wars, the bubonic plague and other problems, particularly during the rule of Duke Jacob (1642-1682). During the 17th century, Renda became something of a manufacturing centre, churning out timber products, with local lime kilns, watermills, flax weaving facilities, a glass factory and a boiling house for saltpetre and soap. Wine, perfumes and barrels were produced in Renda, as was cast iron for nails and many other things. The court at the Jelgava Castle loved the sour wines from Renda. All of this was destroyed during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). During the 19th century, a chemicals factory was built on the site of the burned Renda castle, and nearby was one of the largest leather tanning plants in Kurzeme, along with a manufacturing facility for turpentine. Cultural life began to develop in parallel to this. Renda suffered much during the two world wars and the subsequent Soviet repressions. The so-called Courelian Battalion of partisans went into the forests after the occupation to continue their struggle against the Soviet regime. Renda today is a small and quiet village with the Lielrenda Estate, a local church, the “devil’s boat” at the Abava River, and the Īvande waterfalls. |
|
|
|
Smarde is an ancient place, mentioned in the 13th century documents. Today it is a small village with railway station and shops. Northeast of Smārde - former peat extraction places are located in Smārde marsh. During World War I the front line was near Smārde, the vicinity of which is witnessed by the memorial sites. |
|
 |
An ancient territory inhabited by Livs already since the 5th – 6th century. In 1226 Bishop Albert built a castle on the right bank of Salaca river estuary, which has not been preserved until now. Salacgriva development also (similar to Ainazi) has been associated with the establishment of the port in the turn of the 19th – 20th century. Salacgriva became an important handling and transport hubs of products manufactured in Northern Vidzeme (especially timber). During the Soviet period, in the Northern part of Salacgriva established the Fishermen Park with one of the best small town stadiums and open air stage. During that time, the products of fish processing plant "Brīvais vilnis" was well known in the territory of USSR - especially sprats. Salacgriva is one of the two places in Latvia, where the weirs are still used for lamprey fishing. |
|
 |
Pirmo reizi vēstures avotos 1253. g. šī vieta ir minēta kā kuršu apdzīvota apmetne. Laikā no 1637. – 1639. g. te uzcēla pirmās 19 kapelas – t.s. „Krusta ceļa stacijas", kas atgādināja Jeruzalemes Krusta ceļu. Kopš tā laika Žemaišu Kalvarija ir pazīstama kā nozīmīgs svētceļnieku galamērķis. Dažas no Krusta ceļa kapelām ir veidotas 17. – 18 gs., bet citas – 19. gs. Jāatceras, ka vēl pavisam nesen – Padomju laikos svētceļniekus nežēlīgi vajāja un represēja. Mūsdienās pilsētā ir izveidots 21 svētceļnieku „pieturas punkts". Te ik gadu (parasti no 2. – 12. jūlijam) notiek Žemaišu Kalvarijas katoļu draudzes svētki, kas pulcina daudz ļaužu no dažādām Eiropas valstīm. Iespaidīgā katoļu bazilika ir slavena ar Vissvētākās Jaunavas Marijas Katoļu Ģimeņu Karalienes gleznu, kas 17. gs. atvesta no Romas. Tai piedēvē brīnumdarītājas spējas. Interesants ir pilsētas ielu tīklojums, kas atgādina 9. – 13. gs. apdzīvotas vietas ielu plānojumu. Noteikti apskatāms iespaidīgais Žemaišu Kalvarijas pilskalns, kas slejas mazās Varduvas (Varduva) upītes krastā. |
|
 |
Tāpat kā Ventspils Rātslaukums, arī Tirgus laukums ir uzskatāms par pilsētas vēsturiskā centra nozīmīgu daļu, kura apkaimē ir saglabājies senais ielu plānojums. Kādreizējā Rātsnama vietā tagad slejas kariljonu zvana pulksteņu tornis. Tas zvana katru stundu, bet 12:33:44 un 00:33:44 ar īpašu melodiju ieskandina astronomisko Ventspils laiku. Tirgus laukumā ir aka, kas saulainā laikā darbojas arī kā Saules pulkstenis. Monētu automātā var izkalt īpašu piemiņas monētu. |
|
 |
The central part of the town of Krāslava is an historical monument because its low-story and beautiful wooden buildings. The best views of the historical centre relate to the carp park near the Adamova trail, the Karņicskis hill, the bridge across the Daugava (Prospekta Street), and the Priedaine viewing tower on the left bank of the Daugava River. |
|
 |
Jurmala town (the second largest in Latvia) was founded in 1959, by combining Kemeri and Sloka towns in the Riga city Jurmala district. It stretches 32 km along the coastal line of Gulf of Riga. Jurmala resort once was one of the most important objects of this type in the Northern Europe. This was facilitated by the development of local and interstate transport and traffic (coaches, steamers, train). The first guests was accommodated in Dubulti, where in 1834 the first hotel was built, but in 1847 - The first wellness centre. In the 19th the first medical institution launched. Starting from 1834 the rapid construction of summer cottages began. Development of the resort was ended by the World War I. After the war the number of resort vacationers boomed from 12 thousand (in 1920) to 32 thousand (in 1935). Kemeri resort developed along with Jurmala, which received a massive of vacationers' amount during the Soviet period. |
|
