Riga - Tervete
Up to the beginning of the XIII century, Tervete was the capital of the state of Zemgals. They were able to repulse attacks by the German Order and the Sword Order Knights for a quite a long time. Ruins of the castles, remind you of these times. Tervete is known for its Spridishi Park with the oldest (up to 300 years old) and the highest (up to 15 metres) pine trees in Latvia. A museum of the famous writer Anna Brigadere (1861-1933) has been opened in Spridishi. Names of places in the park have been inspired by literary motives: the Park of Sunny Moods, the Elf Forest, and the Fairy-tale Forest. Sculptural images of characters and fellow-countrymen of the writer inhabit the park.

Riga - Cesvaine
Even at a distance you can see the red tile of the former Cesvaine Palace. Cesvaine Palace was built in 1890 through to 1897. It is a genuine example of eclecticism architecture - Gothic, Romanic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau elements are united in this beautiful palace. Beginning in 1919, it has been home to a school. Alongside the northern facade of the palace are ruins of the Riga Archbishop's Castle. This castle dates back to the 14th century. The highest point of Latvia, Gaizinkalns (311.5m) is near Cesvaine. From Gaizinkalns sigtseeing tower you can get a glimpse of all the Vidzeme highlands.

Riga - Jaunpils - Jaunmokas - Durbe - Milzkalne
Jaunpils castle is the only fortified castle of the Order of Livonia that remains in Latvia. It was built in 1301 and can be seen in the historical center. You can become familiar with the history of the district at our exhibition hall and museum. Jaunpils Lutheran Church which was built in 1592 is also located near the castle. Five kilometers before Tukums, you will see the Jaunmoku Palace (1901). In the palace, surrounded by the picturesque Kurzeme hills, is an exposition about forestry and art exhibits. Jaunmoku Palace is a combination of Art-Nouveau elements and non-Gothic forms. Durbe castle, built in 1820, is a classic style castle. The castle is an architectural monument with a landscaped park. A stone bridge across the ravine and rotunda is located near the castle. The Schlokenbeck estate ensemble, from the 15th century, is the only fortified manor house in Latvia. It can be seen in Milzkalne. A museum on the history of road building techniques and horse gear expositions is arranged here.

Riga - Engure - Kolka
On the seashore of the Riga Gulf there are many small fishermen villages with fishermen huts, net huts and smokehouses. In Engure you can see the Lutheran Church (built in 1804) as well as the museum of the history of Engure district and Maritime school. The most distant point of Kurzeme to the north is Kolka horn. A 6 kilometer long and 1-2 meter deep shoal separates the Baltic Sea from the Riga Gulf. The shoal stretches into the sea from the Kolka horn. A state-protected territory, The Liv Coast lies between Gipka and Ovisi. It was established in 1991 to ensure the conditions for the existence and development of the Liv nation as well as to protect the last region populated by Livs. This territory includes 14 fishermen villages. One of them, Kosrags, is the construction monument of the 18th through the 20th centuries. In the building of the Slitere forest, you can see the exposition of the Slitere reserve. The reserve was established in 1921 to preserve the distinguished features of premieval nature. The Slitere reserve can be considered a unique museum of the geological history of the Baltic Sea.

Riga - Mazsalaca
Mazsalaca is located on the banks of Salaca River. There, near the Valtenburgh Manor House (1780), begins the long journey into the Skanais Kalns (the Sound Hill) park. It is recommended to walk through it, though it is possible to get there by car. The Skanais Kalns is located on Parka Street. The park features natural sights and objects with interesting wooden sculptures.

Riga - Lielvarde - Koknese
In Lielvarde, near the Lilevarde Lutheran Church, you can visit the Museum of A.Pumpurs. This is the author of the Latvian epos, Lacplesis. There is also a park featuring wooden sculptures connected with the themes of the epos. In the park where the Rumbina River flows into the Daugava River, there are Lielvarde castle ruins. In Koknese park were the Perse River flows into the Daugava River, you can see the Koknese Castle ruins and Koknese Lutheran Church (1687). Enjoy the view of the surrounding area from its tower. Stone crosses and cannons have remained in the park since Medieval times. Koknese and its environment have lost much of its beauty because of the creation of the Plavinas water reservoir. In 1967, The Daugava primieval hallow, Staburags cliff, the Perse waterfall, several castle mounds and castle ruins were flooded. A part of Koknese castle ruins is still underwater.

Around Latgale
Latgale - the Land of Blue Lakes. Twenty-five kilometers from Rezekne and sheltered by hills is Lake Razna, the second biggest lake in the country. The lake's eastern and southern shores are easily accessible. Forty-five kilometers from Rezekne and particularly beautiful is Lake Ezezers, with more bays and islands, (36!), than any of Latvia's hundreds of lakes. Between Aglona, Kraslava and Ezernieki there are almost 300 large and smaller lakes, and the Daugava River valley between Kraslava and Daugavpils - where the steep banks of the river can be up to 40 metres high - really must be seen. The landscape is home to Daugavas loki, the nature reserve, and many rare species of plants, which are protected by law.

Around North Vidzeme
You have a great opportunity to see and feel the taste of beautiful Vidzeme seaside. Fourteen kilometers along the beach there is a beautiful nature complex called - The stony beach of Vidzeme. Numerous stones of various sizes can be seen in the sea or laying on the beach. Visit the museum of Baron fon Muenchausen in Dunte. The best place to see traditions of navigation and fishery is in Salacgriva, but the traditions of horse breeding in Burtnieki. You can visit Ainazi Naval College museum where you can see the history of the school, the careers of the school graduates and the construction of sailing ships. The scenic River Salaca shows you its sandstone outcrops.

Around Northeast Vidzeme
You must visit Gaujiena. In the territory of this natural park, you can visit the estate palace ensemble of the 19th century. Not far from Gaujiena, on the shore of Lake Zvartava, is Zvartava Castle with adjoining park and Priesthouse. You can arrive there on a horse-drawn cart from Gaujiena. 15 kilometrs from Aluksne at the Paparze River an Ote Water-mill museum is situated. Here you can watch the functioning water mill dating back to 1785. The museum is organized like typical Vidzeme farmstead with a granary, a barn, a dwelling house and a threshing machine. Each year on the second Sunday of September the Harvest festival takes place in the museum.

previous page