Places of interest Latvia

RIGA CITY

Eight hundred years have shaped the city's unique appearance and rich traditions. Riga has unique values due to its rather intact medieval architecture and that of later periods, the urban structure, the richness and quality of Art Noveau architecture and the 19th century wooden architecture of the city. It was recognised by inscribing the historic centre of Riga on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

Riga belongs to the cultural space of Western Europe. For the city, dynamic and diverse music and arts activities are typical. Over centuries, the creative atmosphere evolved in Riga and inspired composers, poets and artists.

SIGULDA

One of the most picturesque towns in Latvia - Sigulda, often called the Latvian Switzerland, is located about 50 km from Riga in the Gauja River valley. Sigulda is situated in the Gauja National Park and is known as the most popular tourist and leisure destination as well as a famous winter sports resort in Latvia because of its bob-sleigh track and the down-hill skiing routes.

Experience a genuine whiff of the Middle Ages, a time of romantic legends, castles and heroic figures, visiting the ruins of the 13th cent. Crusader Castle, and the 19th cent. Kropotkin's Palace in the outskirts of Sigulda. You can travel down into the river valley, enjoy the landscape and the walk to the sandstone grottoes on the ancient river bank. A short drive along the steep road up the hill will take you to the 13th cent. Turaida Castle. A chance to view ' the garden of Gods' from the 30 m high fortification tower, visit the local History Museum, relaxing walk in the adjoining sculpture park, dedicated to Latvian folklore.

RUNDALE

Enjoy a splendid Rundale Palace (18th cent.), the most beautiful baroque palace in Latvia, located 66km from Riga. The palace is an outstanding example of the early work of Italian-Russian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed the famous Winter Palace in St.Petersburg. The professionally renovated palace interiors are decorated with authentic 18th cent, furniture, paintings and china. The most impressive are the Golden Hall, the White Hall, the bedroom of the Duke of Courland Johan Ernst Biron. The palace boasts a beautiful French-style park.

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THE LATVIAN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM

The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum is one of the show-pieces of Latvia's cultural heritage, founded in 1924. Situated 10 km from Riga centre in a pine forest on the banks of Jugla Lake, the museum consists of some 90 traditional rural buildings: farmhouses, windmills, fishermen's huts and churches that have been assembled here from the four provinces of Latvia: Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale. During summer weekends folk dancing displays and concerts are held in the museum premises.

JURMALA

The Baltic Sea spa-resort Jurmala is located on the Gulf of Riga, at a distance of 20 km to the West from Riga.
Historically Jurmala has always been the most popular sea resort in the Baltics due to its natural features: mild climate, golden sandy beaches, conifer forests stretching along the coastline, as well as curative peat mud and spa mineral water widely used as balneological treatment for spa guests in the many health centres of the resort.
You will have a chance to see the charming wooden summer cottages, decorated with fascinating carvings dating back to the 1900-s and successfully harmonizing with the more recently built cottages and spa health centers. Visit a stroll along the flat sea coast as well as take a chance to enjoy the walk along the central pedestrian Jomas Street on which you will find cafes and souvenir shops and feel the typical Jurmala atmosphere. This is a most relaxing trip.

CESIS

Enjoy Cesis (80km from Riga) a stroll through narrow streets and feel the amiable small town atmosphere. You can visit the 13th century Order of Knight's Castle and the soaring Gothic tower of the 13th century Church of St.John. Visit the local History Museum displayed in the New Palace and enjoy a walk in the Palace park. Short drive through the countryside will take you to the picturesque Gauja River banks at the highest sandstone cliffs in Latvia - Ergju Klintis.

PEDVALE OPEN-AIR ART MUSEUM

Pedvale is located near town of Sabile in Kurzeme province, only 115 km from Riga, the capital of Latvia. The World's Cultural Heritage Fund has nominated Pedvale among the 100 World's unique and most endangered monuments. Along a path you will enjoy the view of the deep ravines and flat slopes, vast arable fields and peaceful meadows, brooks, creeks and water springs with crystal-clear water. You will be surprised by the objects of art, modern installations and sculptures as well as the monuments of architecture. Enjoy the far vistas to the Sabile town and to the opposite side of the primeval valley of Abava River with an ancient castle mound of Curonians, the Hanging Hill and the famous Vineyard Hill, the most Northern open-air vineyard in the world.

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