After the establishment of the Livonian state, the pope consecrated this land in honour of the holy Virgin Mary.  This created Terra Mariana or Māra’s Land.  The road between Ludza, Rēzekne and Daugavpils runs along an ancient trading route that once connected Vilnius and Kaunas to Pskov and, later, to St Petersburg and Warsaw.

Very beautiful and poetically picturesque with rivers and lakes that are in Latvia’s forested land and among hillocks that offer a wonderful look at the distant horizon – that is Māra’s Land, which is also known as the Land of Blue Lakes.  Lake Rāzna is the second largest in Latvia, and when the weather is clear, Mākoņkalns Hill or Padebešu Hill is reflected in its water.  Atop the hill are the oldest ruins of fortifications in Latgale, dating back to the Livonian era.

Rēzekne is known as the heart of Latgale, because it has always been the centre for Lettigalian culture and education.  People contributed donations for the 1939 construction of a monument to Māra of Latgale.  It is dedicated to those who fell during Latvia’s independence battles and the liberation of Latgale.  The monument also speaks to the Catholic identity of Latgale.  The monument was rededicated on August 13, 1992, the date of the assumption of the Virgin Mary.  A Catholic festival at Aglona and the monument to Māra of Latgale – these are integral components of this part of Latvia.  The present day is marked out clearly by the new Gors concert hall in Rēzekne, and well as the Zeimuļš student interest education centre.

Daugavpils is Latvia’s second city and an important centre for industry, culture, education and sports.  The Daugavpils pellet factory is unique, and the oldest pellet casting tower in Europe is now open to visitors, as are the restored Daugavpils fortress and the new Rothko Museum.

Not far from Daugavpils are the small Birķeneļi semi-estate and the Rainis Museum.  Latgale was the “land of new days” for the poet, and the museum now hosts gatherings of young artists and craftspeople.  The ancient tradition of ceramic art that is typical specifically of this part of Latvia is still thriving.

A Nazi concentration camp was at this location during World War II, and there is information to suggest that more than 50,000 residents of occupied Europe were murdered here.  This is one of the largest ensembles of its type, taking up 25 hectares of land.  It was opened in 1967 and has large groups of sculptures, including “Mother,” “Solidarity,” “Unbroken One” and “The Path of Suffering.”  The wall of the entrance gates has a thematic exhibitions.

Auf dem Urbo-Hügel befindet sich der 1953 ronovierte schönste Leuchtturm an der Küste Litauens. Das Licht von diesem Leuchtturm kann man in einer Entfernung von 22 Seemeilen sehen.

The café is located 1.5 kilometres from the Ķegums hydropower plant. Home-grown ingredients are used to produce berry sauces, pumpkin, and marinated cornichons in brine.

Latvian cuisine: Cold soup, pork in mustard, crepes.

Special foods: Crème of cottage cheese with stewed berries.

The farm offers to look at horses, ponies, rabbits, Brama hens and chickens. Children are offered to ride a small pony named Xavier either on horse back or in a small carriage.

Reškutenu (Reškutėnai) ciema apkārtnē ir atjaunots neliels mitrājs, kura malā uzcelts putnu vērošanas tornis. Ja paveicas, pavasaros te var dzirdēt vai redzēt tādas retas un aizsargājamas putnu sugas kā ķikutu Gallinago media, ormanīti Porzana porzana, melnkakla dūkuri Podiceps nigricollis, griezi Crex crex u.c. Ciema ainava īpaši pievilcīga ir pieneņu un ābeļu ziedēšanas laikā. No putnu vērošanas torņa var redzēt vietas, kur akmens laikmetā dzīvojuši cilvēki. Blakus esošajā purvainajā pļavā bijis ezera līcis, kur tika būvēti ciemati līdzīgi kā Āraišu ezerpils gadījumā.

This is a modern and contemporary centre, including an old and restored granary. It offers an exhibition hall, an historical exhibition, a shop where you can purchase crafts, and a conference hall. Craftspeople from the region work here, and you watch them at work or try your own hand at what they are doing.

The farm grows fruit trees and raspberries, and it makes homemade wines from various fruits and berries, including raspberries, black currants and apples. You can purchase products, and groups of up to 25 people can attend wine tastings in a very fine hall.