Touring in North Latvia - Tour No. 2

Ainazi - Salacgriva - Limbazi - Valmiera - Mazsalaca

Entering Latvia from Estonia, the first village you reach is Ainaxi, location of Latvia's first Naval School, at 47 Valdemara Street, founded in 1864. Today this historic building is home to the Maritime Memorial Museum; opening hours are limited: 11 am - 5 pm., Tuesday-Friday, but it's worth making an effort to visit before going on to the fishing and industrial centre of Salacgriva, with its ancient traditional culture. Near the town you can see the caves where the Liv people (whose descendants still live in this region) made sacrifices, and the mounds which mark the ruins of medieval castles. The Salaca and Svetupe rivers provide good fishing, and between Skulte and Salacgriva there is the quiet Vidzeme seashore where you can relax on the beach. About 30 km from Ainazi is the little seaside village of Tuja, and 14 km along the seashore you'll come to the beautiful nature reserve called 'The Stony Beach of Vidzeme', unique along the Gulf of Riga and famous for the variety of stone washed up by the sea.

A further 19 km from Tuja, near lakes Lielezers and Dunezers, is Limbazi, whose Orthodox church, dating from 1903, is one of Latvia's most beautiful. The Limbazi Regional Study Museum at 7 Burtnieku Street has a fascinating display of local history, and should be visited.

On the picturesque banks of the Gauja, 45 km from Limbazi, is Valmiera, where you can see the St. Simon Lutheran church, built between 1283 and 1287, and, from its tower, wonderful views of the countryside. The priests' estate has an open-air sculpture park near the Dzimavu lake, and the town also has an excellent history and art museum. Twenty-two kilometres on from Valmiera is Lake Burtnieki, Latvia's fourth largest lake. The town of Burtnieki on its southern shore is famed for it's stud and as a centre for equestrian sports, and you can also visit the original 19th century former estate, with its acres of parkland.

As you carry on to Matisi, near the Briede river, you'll come to Briedes Krogs, which has a fine horse tackle exhibition. A ride around the little village in a horse-drawn cart is recommended.

Mazsalaca itself, 20 km from Matisi, is located on the banks of the Salaca river. Visit the Valtenburg Manor House, dating from 1780, which marks the beginning of a fairly long walk to the Skanais Kalns ('the Sound Hill') in Parka Street. You can make the journey by car, but to get the most of the spectacular scenery, we recommend that you go by foot, enjoying the landscape and the collection of traditional wooden sculptures on the way.

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