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Ap 400m garš un līdz 16m augusts atsegums upes kreisajā krastā.
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Kaņieris is a seriously overgrown and
shallow seaside lake. Its water level was
adjusted several times during the 20th
century so as to obtain agricultural lands.
The lake has 14 islands, among which nine
are natural and the rest are artificial and
aimed at attracting nesting water birds.
Lake Kaņieris has one of the richest
diversities of birds in Latvia. An
ornithological nature reserve was
established here in 1964. In 1989, the lake
was placed on the list of major birding
locations in Europe, and in 1995 it was put
on the list of the Ramsar Convention. At
the southeastern shore of the lake is a
boating facility (only rented boats are
permitted on the lake). A bird-watching
tower was erected on the Riekstu
peninsula in 2009
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A café and bakery in Kuldīga that offers fresh, home-made pastries until the very evening. |
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This is a quick boat ride from Tartu down the Emajõgi River to Piirissaare Island in Lake Peipsi (Peipsi järv). Along the lower reaches of the river are major wetlands which are of enormous importance for birds.
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This is the thickest wild pear tree in Latvia. The tree is particularly beautiful when it is blossoming.
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In Soviet years, Ventspils was the site of tank training. The facility has been degraded, and only the former tank repair facility and some outbuildings are still being used. The rest of the territory is not used or guarded any more.
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Находится на ул. Кунгу, д. 24.Одно из старейших зданий города - деревянный сруб с черепичной крышей, построенный во второй половине XVII века и прозванный в народе гостиницей мадам Хойер. Здесь в 1697 году во время путешествия «Великого посольства» в западную Европу останавливался (инкогнито) русский царь Петр I. Находящееся по соседству здание на ул. Кунгу, д. 26, является вторым старейшим жилым зданием Лиепаи (1699 г.) – жилой дом бургомистра города. Во время Северной войны здесь останавливался король Швеции Карл XII. Оба здания подлежат осмотру только снаружи. |
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In the central part of the Žemaitija Highland, this park was established to protect local landscapes. Lithuania’s highest hillocks are found here – Mėdvegalis (235 m above sea level) and Šatrija (229 m). There are also other hillocks which offer a great view of the area – make up your own tour here.
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The Sunset trail starts in the centre of Saulkrasti town and takes you to the White Dune. Saulkrasti town with its municipal rural territory, occupies a 17km long stretch of coastal land to the North from the river Lilaste and the lake Lilaste. The White Dune stands on the right side of river Inčupe mouth. It is covered by old pine forest. The white, 18m high sand outcrop in olden times served as a landmark for fishermen. The White Dune formed as winds carried the sand from the beach over clay sediments of the Baltic Ice Lake. Some 150-200 years ago, the dune had been drifting as witnessed by several layers of soil buried within it. Local fishermen and farmers at Bātciems initiated afforestation of the drifting dunes. At that time, the 30m high dunes which are now covered with forest, were bare, shifting and even buried a farmstead. To speed up afforestation, mountain pines were planted. The White Dune was partly washed away in heavy storm in 1969, and 4-6m high precipice formed. Now the wind and sand have levelled out the dune surface, it has been fixed with willow-twigs or grown with forest where the largest pines are more than 170-190 years old. The pines are notable with their large trunks and branches, the scars obtained during their lifetime and the typical “crocodile skin” – the bark forms rhombuses resembling those of the reptile’s scales. Scots Pine (Pinus Silvestris) is one of the most common tree species in Latvia. It grows in dry, meagre sandy soil in dunes as well as in marsh. However, it does not stand overshadowing. Forest fires help pines to get rid of competitors as pine endures fire better than other trees because of its thick bark and high crown. The wood exudes resin and burned wounds close soon. Fire cleans space for seedlings of young pines. Pines can live 300-350 years. Ground cover in dune forests is very sensitive. If the sparse vegetation is destroyed, not only the natural biodiversity and landscape is damaged, but also the dangerous shifting dunes can possibly “wake up”. Embryonic dunes, White (yellow) dunes, Grey dunes and Wooded dunes are EU protected biotopes. Grey Dunes are protected by Latvian law as well. |
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A very impressive ensemble that is in terrible shape. The estate dates back to the 18th and 19th century, with the castle being built in the early 19th century. Half a century later it was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style with symmetrical towers and bricks in the cornices. The estate belonged to the Manteufel-Stzege dynasty. The vestibule, stairwell and second floor hall still have ornamental ceiling paintings, but visitors are not allowed to enter the building, so they cannot be seen. Valuable interior design elements include a fireplace from the early 19th century that is decorated with marble elements. After the expropriation of the castle in 1920 and until 1951, the building housed a forestry school and then an agricultural crafts school. Opposite the castle was the stable of the state that was built in the style of Classicism with a pediment and mighty columns. Built in the early 19th century, the stable is no longer used and can only be viewed from the outside. A very much overgrown park surrounds the complex, and the hillock is the grave of one of the baron’s dogs.
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Dating back to the 19th century, this is a characteristic and beautiful park in Lithuania. There is no shortage of exotic trees in the park, including maples, lindens, elms, firs, oaks, etc. The pride of the park is Lithuania's fattest fir tree with a diameter of 1.2 m, as well as a linden tree with six branches that, over the course of time, have become vertical trunks on their own. Entry to the park is via a pergola that is covered with ivies. |
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There are ancient cheese-making traditions in Cesvaine, where the Cesvaines Dairy was established on the basis of the historical Cesvaine Estate dairy operation. The company produces butter, cottage cheese, cheese, home cheese and soured cream. The “Pie Arkas” store that is alongside the dairy sells those products. |
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Uzpludinātās Zveņģupītes kreisajā krastā – neliela meža pudura malā (170 m no Rīgas – Daugavpils šosejas (A 6)) atrodas 1991. g. atklātais (autors: Juris Zihmanis) akmens – piemiņas vieta 17. gs. Lielvārdes meitenei Katrīnai, kura kā ragana sadedzināta sārtā. |
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This tour will give you an impression of the eastern part of Latvia, which is less populated and also less popular among tourists. You will first arrive in Aluksne and explore the town, which is located at Alūksne highland, on the shore of Lake Alūksne. It is worth visiting Temple Hill – an old Latgalian castle mound and the place of the old town, Sun bridge, and the Castle manor park, Alūksne Lutheran Church and the Bible Museum. After staying there overnight you will go by bus to the start point of the hike in Ape. This Forest Trail section winds through a hilly farmland landscape, then enters a large dark forest, occasionally interrupted by the blue surfaces of lakes. After Peļļi, it crosses the Latvian/Estonian border and winds along the shores of the lakes Smilšājs, Sūneklis and Ilgājs for 2 km on the Estonian side, known as Paganamaa (translation: Devil's Land). There it descends and enters the Korneti-Peļļi subglacial depression, one of the most impressive ravines in Latvia. The Forest Trail returns to Latvia at Lake Ilgājs and, after a steep climb, takes you through a hilly area to the Drusku castle mound. Here you can enjoy a beautiful view. At the end of this tour, you will reach Korneti. The section is located in the protected landscape area “Veclaicene”. |
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This extremely secret bunker was one of the most important facilities in Soviet Latvia in the event of a nuclear attack. Under the code name of “Rest Home,” the bunker is nine metres under the ground at the Līgatne Rehabilitation Centre, and it would have been the place where Soviet Latvian government officials would have gone in the event of an attack. The status of a secret object was lifted only in 2003. The underground installation has been preserved fully.
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The historical centre of the Tāšu Estate is in the Ālande (Telse) River Valley near Lake Tāši. The current estate was built by the von Korff dynasty, and the mansion dates back to 1734. Inside there are valuable Baroque fireplaces, the main entrance portal made of sandstone from Gotland, the original stone floor in the hall, parquet and wall panels. The front door, windows, stairs and other details were installed in the early 19th century |
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The owner offers honey made of various flowers, forest plants, heather and linden blossoms, pollen, bee bread, propolis, and other beekeeping products. He will be happy to give you a tour and tell you about his work. |
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Before the stone Turaida Castle was built beginning in 1214, there was a wooden castle there that had been built by the Livs. The Turaida Castle was owned by the bishop of Rīga. It remained in place until 1776, when it burned down. The initial entrance to the castle's main tower was 9 m above ground, and in 1936, a viewing platform was installed at a height of 27 metres. There is no other view in Latvia that is like the one from the Turaida Castle! Restoration work at the castle began in 1953, when the upper level of the tower was restored and a roof was installed. Also restored was the former granary, which was home to an exhibition about the Sigulda region, along with the semi-circular tower and the southern segment of the castle complex, complete with the full reconstruction of its historical interior. Archaeological work was done around the castle between 1976 and 2001, and this led to the restoration of a large part of the complex. The castle now contains a museum exhibition related to the historical events of the surrounding area. The Turaida Castle is in the Turaida Museum Reserve (see above). |
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Edgars Kārklevalks, operator of a guesthouse Pūpoli, has a restored Soviet military GAZ-66 truck in which he offers historical and informational tours of Northern Kurzeme. The route includes former military territories.
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Atrodas Rucavas galvenās ielas malā, netālu no centra.Rucavas draudzi dibināja 1871. gadā, bet izmēros nelielo dievnamu uzcēla 1888. gadā. |
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