Latvia

/ / Latvia

Latvia is a green country on the Baltic Sea. The area is 64 600 km2. The total length of the Latvian border is 1150 kilometres.

Borders

Belarus is 141 km long.
Estonia is 339 km long.
Lithuania is 453 km long.
Russia is 217 km long.

Airports

There are two main airports in Latvia — Riga International Airport and Liepaja Airport.

Latvian railway

You can get to Latvia by train from Warsaw.

Waterways

Ferries to Latvia come from Germany and Sweden. Regular ferries: Stena Line and Tallink Silja Line.

Flora and fauna

About 40% of the earth's surface is covered by forest. The most common trees are pine, spruce, birch, as well as fir, white and aspen. About 10% of the territory is swamps. In the protected areas of Latvia there are still some species of animals that are considered to be endangered, namely lynx, brown bear and elk. Beavers and raccoons live on the shores of many lakes. In coniferous and deciduous forests live, wolf, fox, hare, hazel grouse and hazel grouse, marten and ermine. The white stork is the national bird of Latvia.

Religion

The most important religious community in Latvia is the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Food

The most commonly used fish are salmon, herring, pike, trout or eel. Another feature of Latvia is smoked sausage.
Cottage cheese, cheese and yogurt are also part of the daily diet of the locals. Pancakes with meat, cheese or potatoes are often served as snacks. Small pies stuffed with cabbage and hard-boiled eggs are also extremely popular. Beer is a favourite drink of Latvians. Be sure to try the famous Riga Black Balsam, a traditional herbal schnapps with 45% alcohol. It is best to drink it with plenty of ice cream, coffee, or fruit juices. Of course, there are soft drinks such as soft drinks, fruit juices, coffee and tea. Tea is mixed with local herbs, fruits and berries.

Population and capital

The population of Latvia is about 2.3 million people. The capital and largest city of Latvia is Riga.

Language and Currency

The official language is Latvian. Currency is Euro.

Holidays

New Year (January 1), Good Friday (April 19), Easter, Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (May 4), Ligo Festival (June 23), John's Day (June 24),
Independence Day 1991 (November 18), Christmas (December 25-26)

Emergency call

The Riga Police has established an emergency hotline in English for tourists in emergency situations, in addition to standard number 112, +371 67 18 18 18.

The Latvian Tourism Agency also offers tourists a 24-hour hotline for emergency cases and general information, including in German: +371 11 88.

More

Bausky Castle

Bausky Castle

Bauska Castle is a massive medieval fortress located on a hill in the Latvian city of Bauska. The old part of the castle was built between 1443 and 1451, when the Livonian Order needed a reliable outpost to protect its borders. The fortress was built by order of the master of the Order of Haydenreich Fink Overberg for defense against the main geopolitical competitor - Lithuania, as well as for the control of trade routes. During the late Renaissance, the dukes Friedrich and Gotthard Kettler rebuilt the castle. To protect the fortress, it was surrounded by trees and bastions. The first real attack on the Bausky castle was in 1701. The fortress was attacked by the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII. A few years later the fortress was conquered by the Russians. King Peter I ordered the destruction of the fortifications so that opponents could not use them, and the main part of the castle was destroyed. In 1970, major restoration works were carried out in the fortress and a museum was created. At present, only the ruins of the first castle are preserved. The large tower of the old castle now serves as an excellent viewing platform. The tower overlooks the picturesque landscapes of Zemgale and the confluence of the Musa and Memele rivers. Nowadays exhibitions and concerts are held in the fortress. At the workshops, visitors can learn the court dances of the Renaissance, get acquainted with the costumes of the Duchy of Kurland and the traditions of that time.

Cesis / Venden

Cesis / Venden

Cesis - this is one of the oldest cities in Latvia - the former residence of the master of the Livonian Order. This ancient city has not lost its magic over time. Cesis is located in the north of Vidzeme Heights, near the Gauja National Park. Therefore, it is surrounded by forests and breathtaking natural landscapes. The Cēsis Castle complex is located in the center of the city and consists of the ruins of the Livonian Castle and several parks. Anyone can become a medieval knight or a medieval lady and improve their skills in archery or forging (blacksmithing). Small shops sell various items of local artisans. The Church of St. John is one of the oldest monuments of medieval architecture in Latvia and has a tower with a beautiful view of the city. Cesis is an important cultural center of Latvia. Here is the Vidzeme Concert Hall - one of the most modern cultural centers in Latvia. There is a museum with an exhibition hall in the new Cēsis Castle.

Gauja National Park

Gauja National Park

Gauja National Park is the oldest and largest nature reserve in Latvia, located in the Gauja Valley. The park was founded in 1973. On the banks of the Gauja majestic cliffs Erglu are towering. Rocks have a length of up to 700 m and a height of 22 m. A beautiful viewing platform was created above the cliff, offering a great view of the smooth bends of the river. Here you can get acquainted with wild animals that live in Latvia. Tourist centers are open to visitors in the Gauja National Park, where tourists can get maps of the reserve and information on local natural monuments and historical sites. There are several caves in the reserve. The largest of them - the Gutman's cave - has a depth of 18 m, a width of 12 m and a height of 10 m and is the largest cave in Latvia. Interestingly, many historical inscriptions have survived here, the oldest of which date to the second half of the 17th century. Gauja National Park is known not only for its nature. There are more than five hundred historical and cultural monuments on its territory. There are old stately houses, beautiful churches, old settlements, stone castles, windmills and watermills. Visiting the National Park, you will learn about the ancient Latvian cities of Sigulda, Cesis and Valmiera.

Jurmala

Krimulda

Krimulda

Krimulda is one of the most famous historical places in Latvia, which is located on the top of the high right bank of the Gauja, opposite from Sigluda. The Krimulda settlement in which the Livs lived existed before the 13th century, before the Livonian Order arrived on these lands. The order erected a stone castle here to control the surrounding territories. The main object of the estate is the Krimulda mansion, built in the style of classicism in 1822. The house is a typical model of the estate on the territory of Latvia in the early 19th century. Here are the historical farm buildings of different eras - the coach house of 1897, the stable of 1893, and other buildings. Today there is a cafe Milly in the building of the former barnyard. Only ruins remain where castle Krimulda once stood. It was destroyed in 1601, and today in its place you can see only the foundation and parts of the old walls. Four kilometers from the Krimulda castle is the Krimulda church - one of the oldest churches in Latvia. Right next to the church, there is a wooden pastor’s house - a historic building from 1775, and the Cubeseles Cave. In 2002, the labyrinth "Path to God" was built based on the model of the French labyrinth. From Sigulda you can get to Krimulda by cable car from the left bank of the river. You can go through the wooden stairs, winding through the forest slope

Riga

Rundale Palace

Rundale Palace

The picturesque Rundale Palace is perhaps the most famous castle in Latvia. It was built in 1730s by the order of the favorite of the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna, Duke of Courland Ernst Johan Biron. The duke wanted to use Rundahl as his summer residence. The architect of the project was the famous Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli. In addition to the palace itself, Rastrelli planned a courtyard, stables, farm buildings and a garden surrounded by a canal. The palace has 138 rooms, including ceremonial salons and private apartments of the duke and duchess, the Golden Throne Hall, the White Dance Hall and the Grand Gallery. Later, the palace became the property of the Shuvalov princes, who lost it only in 1917. Two decades later, Rundāle Castle became part of the State Museum of Latvian History. During the times of the Soviet Union there was a warehouse, a school and even ordinary apartments. Restoration work in Rundale is still ongoing, so besides the beautifully furnished rooms in the castle there are also places almost untouched by the restorers. In Rundale castle you will find not only crystal chandeliers, sculptures, silk wallpapers, mirrors, galleries, luxurious fireplaces, but also frescoes made by Italian artists Carlo Zucci and Francesco Martini. Rundale Castle hosts meetings of high-ranking foreign guests.

Sigulda

Sigulda

Sigulda, the capital of Sigulda region in the historical region of Vidzem, is located 51 km from Riga in the Gauja National Park. Sigulda is a picturesque region full of history and legends. For several centuries, these places were called "Latvian Switzerland". Landscapes, breathtaking and ancient fortresses leave no one indifferent. The most important historical monuments of Sigulda are the three ancient castles: Sigulda, Turaida, Krimulda, as well as the “New Sigulda”, the palace of the princes Kropotkin. In Turaida fortress is one of the most visited museums in Latvia, covering the 1000-year history of this country. The National Park Gauja, located in the heart of Sigulda, is full of wonders, many of which are truly unique: the “black” shores at the entrance to the devil’s cave, the largest in Latvia Gutman’s cave, where crystal clear springs of healing water flow, and the walls are covered with rock paintings.

Turaida Castle

Turaida Castle

Turaida is the most popular castle in Latvia. The fortress was built in 1214 by the order of Bishop of Riga Albert. The name "Turaida" means "Divine Garden." Fortress changed several owners. When the Livonian Order ceased to exist, the castle passed to the Ostsee nobles. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Swedes conquered the territory, and there was a garrison inside the castle. A century later, Turaida Castle burned down in a fire - it was decided not to restore the building. A few decades later barns, houses, stables and other buildings appeared. In 1924, the fortress became the historical heritage of the country. But restoration work began only in the 60s. First, they recreated the main tower and decorated it with a viewing platform. From a height of 38 meters this platform offers a charming view. The walls of the fortress, towers, and one of the outbuildings were restored. A museum was created on the castle grounds. Museum expositions are located in almost all rooms. In the basement of the western building there is a large exhibition telling about the construction of the castle. Not far from the castle there is the Folk Songs Park and Dine Hill.

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