Remarkable buildings

This fairly large wooden bridge across the Rīva River is a fairly unique phenomenon in Latvia, but it is one of few, if not the only bridge of its type.  The bridge is in a convenient and easily accessed place, and of interest is the fact that it was once part of the Liepāja-Ventspils railroad that was installed during the first half of the 20th century.

Ein schönes Holzhaus (Baznīcas ielā 7), gebaut 1670 an der sogenannten Venedig-Brücke in Kuldīga über den Fluss Alekšupīte. Auf dem Dach des Hauses befindet sich eine der ältesten und schönsten Windfahnen der Stadt.

Der Turm befindet sich im Gutspark Kiiu. Wurde im ersten Viertel des 16. Jh. errichtet und diente als einen „Schutzraum” für Grundbesitzer. Geöffnet für Besucher und bietet den berühmten estnischen Likör „Kiiu torn” an.

Viena no 19. gs. sešdesmito gadu sākumā būvētās St. Pēterburgas – Varšavas dzelzceļa līnijas stacijām. Kaut arī sliežu ceļš joprojām turpinās Baltkrievijas virzienā (tālāk – pamests), Marcinkones dzelzceļa stacija ir pēdējā, līdz kurai pasažieri var nokļūt ar vilcienu no Viļņas (3 reizes dienā). Arī kravas vilcieni tālāk nekursē. Stacijas ēka ir izcils koka arhitektūras un stacijas kompleksa apsaimniekošanas piemērs. No Marcinkones dzelzceļa stacijas virzienā uz Čepkeļu purvu savulaik ir bijis izveidots šaursliežu dzelzceļš, kuru izmantoja kokmateriālu izvešanai. Tā vietā šobrīd ir saglabājies vecs meža ceļš, kur plānots izvietot šaursliežu dzelzceļu tematikai veltītu informācijas stendu.

This little building is on the left bank of the Venta River beyond the ancient brick bridge.  It is located at Pils Street 4.  The hut was built in 1735, using rocks from the damaged castle of the duke, and it was built on a terrace that is the last fragment of the walls that surrounded the castle.  Also known as the Hangman’s hut, the building was rebuilt during the 19th century.  It can only be viewed from the outside.

Gaujas tilts Siguldā ir vienīgais tilts Latvijā ar šādu unikālu tehnisko risinājumu. Pirmo reizi tilts uzcelts 1937. gadā, taču kara laikā tas tika sagrauts. 1950. gadā to atjaunoja. 2017. gada vasaras beigās noslēgsies tā rekonstrukcijas darbi. 

In 1888, the building, provided for a doctor’s needs, was donated by Baron Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors to the parish of Pēterupe Lutheran Church. Along with the building, Baron Pistohlkors also donated 6 hectares of land and 10 000 roubles for the doctor’s use. Arvēds von Engelhards became the first medical doctor in Pēterupe. In 1890, the first pharmacy was opened in one room of the clinic, serving people from a wide area; it remained in the building until 1895. This outpatient clinic was the very first stone building in Saulkrasti, the first health authority in a wide area, as well as the first pharmacy. Through its entire lifetime, the house was maintained from voluntary donations – at first by Alexander Alexei von Pistohlkors, then by churchgoers of Pēterupe Parish – therefore by the money of the villagers.
This house also played a role as the place of establishment of the Saulkrasti development society, which was actively supported by many celebrities such as the opera singer Herberts Ozolītis, actresses Tija Banga, Mirdza Šmithene, Lilija Štengele and Malda Gruzevska, composer Alfrēds Kalniņs and many other cultural professionals, artists and writers of that time, who used to spend summers in Saulkrasti. In 1933, the parish converted the outpatient clinic for the needs of a school.
Saulkrasti Primary School was transferred to the building of the former outpatient clinic.

The oldest building in Jēkabpils can be found at Brīvības Street 125A. It is in the city centre and worth a look. The building is near the Lutheran Church of St Michael in Jēkabpils, which dates back to 1769 and is owned by the local congregation. The wooden building was erected in 1808.

Meklējamas Lizuma ciema dienviddaļā. Tās ir vienas no retajām vējdzirnavām (1880. g.), kas saglabājušās labā stāvoklī. Mūsdienās dzirnavas ir gleznotājas Ilonas Brektes īpašums.

Vannūzis (Bath) – A building of the five-building complex “Kurhaus”. During the times of the Neibāde resort, this small building used to be a bath place. In order for the guests of the resort to be able to take a dip in the sea water even in bad weather, barrels of water were delivered by horses to the bath place.  

Found at Rīgas Street 22A, this impressive building was suggested by Latvian President Kārlis Ulmanis and built in 1936 and 1937 after a design by the architect Verners Vitands.  It is seen as one of the most outstanding architectural monuments from the first period of Latvian independence, and it is said that it was once the most modern multifunctional building in all of Europe.  The building now houses the Daugavpils Theatre, the Latgale Central Library, the Latvian Cultural Centre, the Latvian House, the US Information Centre, the Daugavpils Tourism Information Centre and other institutions.  Unity Square is alongside the building, and beautiful compositions of flowers are nearby during the growing season.

The five-story hotel with a tower at its centre was built in the style of Neo-Classicism between 1933 and 1936, and it is known as the "White House" or "White Ship."  The building is seen as one of the most outstanding structures of the first period of Latvian independence, and it was one of the symbols of the independent state.  The building has survived, as have some of the interior design elements and artworks of the vestibule, music salon, library and dining hall.  The Ķemeri Hotel is also known for having served as a set for the Aigars Grauba film "Terrible Summer."  In 1998, the sanatorium was privatised by the Ominasis Italia S.R.L. company.  Restoration has continued for more than a decade, and the building can only be viewed from the outside.  There is a garden on its western side.

Eine gut eingerichtete Strecke des Flusses Driksa (ein Nebenarm des Flusses Lielupe) mit einer zweistufigen Promenade, der im Baltikum einzigartigen Brücke Mītava, Aussichtsplätzen, dem Denkmal Student von Jelgava u.a.

Traķu pussalas pils austrumu mūrim pieguļ ar mežu apaudzis iespaidīgs pilskalns (uzved koka kāpnes) – t.s. Upurkalns, kurā pirms mūra pils celtniecības stāvējusi koka pils. 1779. g. dominikāņu mūki sagrautās Pussalas pils vietā uzsāka baznīcas celtniecību. Jau vēlāk – 1822. – 1823. g. vienā tās daļā uzcēla dominikāņu klosteri, bet otrā – kapelu. 1990. g. šeit izvietoja Traķu vēstures muzeja administrāciju, bet 2005. g. kapelā izveidoja Sakrālās mākslas izstādi. 2011. g. ēku kompleksā notika vērienīgi rekonstrukcijas darbi.

The Western breakwater was finished in 1885 and stretches 860 metres into the sea.  Together with the Eastern breakwater it regulates the flow of water from the Daugava River into the sea, also reducing silt levels in the river.  The structure of the breakwater is based on piles that are strengthened with rocks.  The breakwater has been reconstructed and strengthened several times.  During the 19th century, it held a prison for offenders.  Approximately ½ of the breakwater has been restored with cement, but the rest of it is in fairly sad shape.  Polish King Stefan Báthory ordered the construction of a lighthouse alongside the Daugava in 1528, and the first map to show a lighthouse was produced in 1536.  A 1721 list of lighthouses in the Russian Empire notes a pile of rocks at the location upon which a fire was lit.  Later there were wooden and stone towers that were destroyed during wars.  The current Daugavgrīva lighthouse was built in 1957 and is 35 m high.  Its light can be seen at a distance of 18 nautical miles.

Construction of the Neibāde resort in 1823, started up hospitality traditions. The park, designed in an English style, was created by the gardener Akerbergs, who was brought from Estonia by Baron August von Pistohlkors. In the 1920s – 1930s the Pēterupe – Neibāde Seashore Aid and Improvement Society looked after the restoration and care of the monument and the park of the resort that was ruined during the war, the appearance of Saulkrasti, the organisation of different events and foundation of the theatre and the choir, led by Olga Cīrule. Saulkrasti open-air stage has always been a place for festivities. 16 July 1933 is a date that deserves special attention as it was on this date that the open-air stage became the place where Neibāde and Pēterupe were renamed Saulkrasti. The open-air stage was repeatedly rebuilt and improved. Both during the Soviet era, as well as later, this was a meeting place for locals on joyful moments, on moments of change and remembrance. The stage was the place of origin of the Popular Front of Latvia (Latvijas Tautas fronte) Saulkrasti branch. Now the stage is a meeting place and holds different events on summer weekends. Each year Saulkrasti town festival concert takes place on this open-air stage.

Die dritlängste (in seiner Zeit auch eine der modernsten Brücken) Backsteinbrücke Europas (164 m), gebaut 1873 – 1874.

Atrodas Sakas un Liepājas ielas krustojumā. Ēka, kas šobrīd atrodas sliktā stāvoklī, celta 19. gs. vidū.

Neparastais objekts meklējams Teteles pamatskolas parkā, Lielupes labajā krastā. Torni cēlis (dažādas versijas par celšanas gadu: 1840. g. vai 1885. g.) Tetelmindes muižas barons Frīdrihs Bērs, jaunākais, par godu saviem viesiem, kas ieradušies pie barona uz medībām. Tornis kalpojis kā medību skatu tornis un vieta apkārtnes novērošanai. Godinot viesus, tajā uzvilka karogu. Apskatāms no ārpuses.

Находится в Пастари, примерно на расстоянии 2,5 км от дороги Прейли - Виляны, в самом высоком месте с красивейшим пейзажем на Латгальскую возвышенность. Ветряная мельница голландского типа (с вращающимся механизмом крыльев) построена в 1902 году. В 2012 году были восстановлены крылья ветряной мельницы. По предварительной договоренности мельницу можно осмотреть изнутри.

Находятся в 100 м к юго-востоку от Приекульского замка. Символ Приекуле, изображенный на гербе города. Ворота (1688 г., отреставрированы в 1954 г.) служили в качестве сторожевой башни сквозных ворот Приекульской господской усадьбы, где проводился досмотр торговцев (таможня), отправляющихся или приезжающих из Литвы. Интерес представляет родовой герб баронов Корфов выполненный в XVIII веке из голландского песчаника, с серебряным ядром и своеобразный маскарон в центральной части фасада. Во времена баронов в нишах по обеим сторонам стояли двухметровые, выполненные в камне, грозного вида фигуры стражников - солдат. Сегодня на их месте стоят деревянные фигуры стражников.

Skaisto un mūsdienās atjaunoto zilā krāsojuma ēku Karaīmu ielas 5 malā sākotnēji (1810. g.) cēla Dominikāņu mūki. Kopš 1864. g. tajā 23 gadus saimniekoja policija, līdz 1887. g. te izvietoja pastu un telegrāfu. Šobrīd ēkā atrodas nacionālā parka administrācija.

This is one of two sanatoriums in Jūrmala where mud from the surrounding area is used for medical procedures.  The Jūrmala Spa Museum of History was opened here in 2009, and it offers interesting information about the history of the spa and the sanatorium.  You will see historical photographs and medical equipment from the 1970s and 1980s.  Guides will tell you all kinds of interesting information.

Viena no ciema augstākajām būvēm. Koka vējdzirnavas cēla 1930. g. un ar vēja palīdzību darbināja septiņus gadus (vēlāk ar elektromotoru). Pie dzirnavām atrodas Jūrmalciema tūrisma informācijas punkts, stends un atpūtas vieta. Turpat redzami veco, zvejnieku pamesto liellaivu koka korpusi.

The “Strand” Complex – it was the largest and most luxurious recreational complex in Neibāde. It consisted of three buildings, a dance pavilion and a park. Only one building of the hotel, the same as what was once Saulkrasti outpatient clinic at 17 Ainažu Street, has survived until nowadays.

Tahkuna lighthouse is on Tahkuna peninsula in the north of the island. It was built from French cast iron parts in 1875 and is the highest in Estonia at 43 m above sea level.

The Turaida Museum Reserve is found at the place where the deep gullies of a number of small streams split up the right bank of the ancient Gauja River valley. The Turaida Museum Reserve features monuments of Baltic importance, and their history dates back more than 1,000 years. Among the treasures are the Turaida Estate (21 buildings), the grave of the Rose of Turaida, the Turaida Lutheran Church (one of the oldest wooden churches in Latvia, 1750), and the Turaida Castle. Nearby is Folk Song Hill, where various thematic events are organised.

Atrodas Vecpiebalgas dienviddaļā pie Inešu ceļa. No sarkanajiem ķieģeļiem būvētā ēka uzcelta 1887. g. par vietējo iedzīvotāju saziedotajiem līdzekļiem. Vairāk nekā simts gadus šī ir vieta, kur vecpiebaldzēni pulcējas uz nozīmīgiem notikumiem, svētkiem, uzturot novada kultūras mantojumu. Celtni uzskata par vienu no spilgtākajiem Latvijas lauku arhitektūras pieminekļiem. Tai blakus uzstādīts piemineklis brāļiem Kaudzītēm.

Atrodas Ventspils Rātslaukuma rietumu pusē iepretim Nikolaja luterāņu baznīcai. Ēkas pirmsākumi ir meklējami 18. gs. 1850. g. tajā atradās pilsētas Rātsnams, kopš 2006. g. - rakstnieku un tulkotāju māja, kurā patstāvīgi uzturas un strādā Latvijas un ārvalstu literāti.

Cīravas muižas ūdensdzirnavas būvētas 1881. g., bet 20. gs. – pārveidotas. Šīs ir vienas no salīdzinoši retajām Latvijas ūdensdzirnavām, kas tādā apjomā saglabājušas vēsturiskos mehānismus. Apskatāmas no ārpuses.

The roots of Saulkrasti Secondary School reach back to Pabaži, to 1912, when a young teacher – Olga Veicmane (after marriage: Cīrule) arrived from Riga to teach the sea captain Reisons’ daughter. Soon many other tutor-seekers joined her and in autumn of 1912 a school was established in Pabaži. The school had a good reputation, and pupils came from the entire surrounding area. In January of 1913, the school was moved to more spacious premises at 20 Rīgas Street. 
During World War I the school was ruined and its furniture and equipment were dragged away. In 1918 the school was reopened, giving an opportunity for children to enjoy many interesting and captivating activities such as choir singing, theatre group and a group of new writers. The headmaster of the school Olga Cīrule became the soul of local social life. By 1933, the number of pupils had outgrown the size of the school. Therefore in 1933, the school was moved to 3 Raiņa Street – to the premises of the former outpatient clinic. The school was named Pēterupe Primary School. In 1950, the school became Saulkrasti Secondary School and at the end of 1956 the school obtained a new and beautiful building at 6 Smilšu Street. 

Viens no jaunākajiem Latvijā celtajiem mūra tiltiem. Tā akmens margas ir barona Karla fon Manteifeļa dāvinājums (celts 1907. gadā) Aizputei. Tilta ziemeļu puses margās ir iemūrēta granīta plāksne ar Manteifeļu dzimtas ģerboni, kas ir vāji izšķirams.

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.

Atrodas Īvandes dienviddaļā, Vankas upītes krastos. Ūdensdzirnavas celtas 1842. gadā (par to liecina arī sienā iemūrēts dzirnakmens) un darbojas joprojām. To iekārtas ir saglabājušās no 1930. gada. Divstāvu ēka apskatāma no ārpuses, bet iepriekš piesakoties, - arī no iekšpuses.

The Līgatne Paper Factory is located at Pilsoņu Street 1 in Līgatne. The factory was first built in place of an old paper windmill by two tradesman from Rīga who also built dormitories for residents. These structures are an important component in the urban environment of Līgatne. The rapid flow of the Līgatne River allowed the factory to produce writing paper, stationary and wrapping paper. In 1858, the factory was brought by a local nobleman who brought in new equipment from Scotland. If some 100 people worked at the factory during the first half of the 19th century, then that number rose to 600 by the end of the century and 800 at the beginning of the 20th century. Writing paper was the primary product from the factory, although there were sometimes special orders. During World War I, for instance, the factory produced paper on which the Russian military printed its maps. This allowed the factory to hold an important role in the Russian market. During the Soviet era, the factory at Līgatne produced notebooks and other products that were sent all over the USSR. Today the factory mostly produces wrapping paper of various kinds from waste paper. The Līgatne Paper Factory is the only functioning entity of its kind in Latvia, and there are guides available to give you a tour. The historical centre of the campus on which the factory sits is a cultural monument. The Līgatne Tourism Information Centre (_371-6415-3313) offers tours of the centre during which you will learn about the lives of the factory's workers and administrators in the late 19th and early 20th century. Back then there was major construction work at the factory to build residences for workers, a school, a childbirth facility, a hospital, a club, a guesthouse and other buildings which have survived to the present day.