BackDaugavpils
The city of Daugavpils is situated in South-eastern Latvia and lies on the banks of the River Daugava, in the south part of the Lake Land. In history sources Daugavpils was first mentioned in 1275 when the Livonian Order built a stone castle Dinaburga at the ancient trade route, 19 km away from the present-day city. Then a town grew and developed round the castle. During military expeditions, the castle was ruined and then rebuilt again several times. On the present-day site of the city, fortifications and the town began to develop in the 70-ies of the 16th century.
However, because of constant wars the development of the town was slow. It had been occupied by Polish, Russian and Swedish troops. In 1582 Daugavpils was granted the rights of a town. In 1811 the construction of a fortress, later used as prison, was started on the site of Daugavpils. In 1812 the fortress was attacked by the Napoleon troops. During the WW I the town suffered a lot, as it lay within the front-line zone.
In the 13th-19th centuries it was known as Dinaburga, in the 17th century, for a short while, it was renamed Borisoglebska, on the change of the 19th-20th centuries it was given a name of Dvinska, but since 1920 its name is Daugavpils. The present Daugavpils coat of arms was confirmed in 1925. It has a blue background with a knights symbol lily, a citys symbol fortress and a zig-zag silver line which symbolizes a river.
In the district of Daugavpils you can also find Aglona the Latgales catholic centre, built between 1768-1800.
Jelgava
The history of the city starts in the year 1225 when bishop Vilhelm ordered to build a castle, which would help christinize Curlands people, but only in the year 1264 the building was started, finished in 1265. Since then many wars, including WW I and WW II have left their footprints in the face of the city, as it throughout the centuries has been one of the greatest railway, road and cultural centres in Latvia
In the district of Jelgava you can find very different sightseeing objects, from old castles and Manors in Eleja, Valdeki and Zalenieki, to family vault of the dukes of Curland.
Jūrmala the city on the Wave
Jurmala the largest resort city in the Baltic States is well-known for its natural treasures the mild climate, sea, healthy air, curative mud and mineral water. The attraction of Jurmala hides in its almost 33 km long white sand beach, the large pine forest and the natural border of the city the river Lielupe. In Jurmala, You will discover a combination of charming wooden houses built in the beginning of the last century and modern resort buildings.
Historically the first users of the beach were Courlands landlords who following West-European fashion to relax by the sea started to go to Kauguri and Plieņciems at the end of the 18th century. In the 20th years in the 19th century interest about beaches close to Riga appeared. After the war with Napoleon in 1812 to Jūrmala and Ķemeri came not only the citizens of Riga but also those who were injured in the war for recreation. In the next fifty years the beaches of Riga gained popularity also in other groups of vacationers, and so many people came to Jūrmala. They started to look for accommodation for the summer in peasant and fishermens houses that were gradually fitted to their needs.
Kuldīga
Nature and history have created Kuldiga as one of the most beautiful towns of Latvia.
The echoes of Livonian chronicles narrate that the castle of the Order was built in Kuldiga during the reign of Dietrich Von Gruningen, the grand master of Livonian Order (1242-1245). At the beginning the castle was called Jesusburg later Goldingen. This name can be read in the documents written before the free state was formed and it still exists in the lexis of the ancient Baltic - German emigrants.
Since 1368 Kuldiga has been a member of the Hanseatic League. Since 1991, when the independence was restored in Latvia, Kuldiga has taken part in modern Hanseatic days.
After collapsing of Livonian Order in 1561 Kuldiga became the residence of Duke Jakob and from 1587 till 1671 it was the capital of Courland. Duke Jakob Ketler, who was born in Kuldiga, had the old castle of the Order rebuilt considering his demands, it was modern according to the understanding of those times. During the reign of Duke Jakob the Duchy of Courland and Kuldiga experienced the economic boom a ship building factory, a saltpetre mill and brick-kilns, etc. were opened. Kuldiga had trade connections with many countries.
In 1795 the Duchy of Courland was incorporated into Russian Empire and Kuldiga became a provincial centre. In the closing decades of the 19th century crafts and manufacturing started to flourish. The biggest factories were Meteors, a needle factory, a leather factory and Vulkāns, a safety matches factory.
The proud of Kuldiga is the fascinating Waterfall Rumba the widest waterfall in Europe (240m). The highest waterfall in Latvia on the River Alekšupīte (4,5 m) is also situated here. One of the widest brick bridges in Europe has always attracted the visitors of Kuldiga. It was built in 1874 over the River Venta.
Liepaja The City where wind gets born.
Liepaja is located in Kurzeme administrative region. In the ancient times this was the territory of two peoples Livs and Curonians. Liepaja has developed from small fishermen villages located near Liva River. On April 4, 1253 this place was first mentioned in documents, dividing this land between Livonian Order and Bishop of Courland.
In 1560, when the Order fell apart, Liepaja with its surrounding territories was pledged to Prussia.On March 18, 1625 Frederich, Duke of Courland signed the document granting Liepaja city rights. As Liva River often got chocked with sand the dredging of canal begun in 1697. The city grew with the development of port.
Russian Tsar Nikolay II believed that Liepaja is a perfect place for a fortress. From 1899 to 1909 a military port, and 8 km of land forts were constructed. Although this fortress was never used, the military town built around it with Officers Palace, Orthodox Church, and Riding Manege that were later used by the Soviet Army, are a great monument of history and a tourist attraction.
When visiting the city you should visit Holy Trinity Church to hear the worlds largest historic unreconstructed organ with 141 stops and 7000 pipes, visit Karosta and see the Officers Palace, Marine Cathedral, Riding Manege, Fortifications and the Northern Breakwater, Old Prison and interactive show Behind the Bars, dance and sing all night in one of the rock music festivals and later go to bathe your tired feet in the Baltic Sea and feel the sand of Liepaja beach which has the whitest sand in the Baltics.
Riga - the History
The small Riga River wound like a narrow ribon along marshes and sands and flowed into the Daugava River. Near the river's bend a settlement of Liv merchants and craftsmen was located (in the area of present day Audeju and Kaleju streets in Old Town of Riga). They used to build low houses made of pine or fir logs with straw or reed roofs and basements made of boulders os oak-wood wells. They worked in smithies, built vessels, traded at the Market Square. Foreign merchants who travelled by the Daugava River were frequent visitors there.
In spring 1200 Pope in his bull declared crusade against Livonia peoples. Bishop Albert arrived. He demanded the land near Riga settlements to be given to him and his people. That was how the building of Riga had been started.
Riga - the City of Inspiration
Eight hundred years have shaped the cityes unique appearance and rich traditions. Amazingly for a city which survived two world wars, the formerly walled section of the Latvian capital city which is known as "Old Rīga" has preserved a glorious range of old, older and very old buildings. From the magnificence of the Rīga Dome Cathedral, which dates back the 13th century, and the fantastic Gothic façade of St Peter's Church, to the oldest residential buildings in the city - the so-called "Three Brothers". Old Rīga is truly a masterpiece of architecture and antiquity.
Streets remain a true treasure for fans of the artistic Art Nouveau movement. Many buildings have been renovated and sparkle once again as they were intended by the great luminaries of the architectural world of the turn of the century, Mikhail Eisenstein among them.
When the walls of Medieval Rīga came down in the mid-19th century, the city fathers had the idea of installing parks and gardens in the area which used to feature the ramparts. The result is one of the greenest city centres in all of Europe, with beautiful parks to wander and explore. One specific part of green Rīga is the Biķernieki forest, which hides within its depths a professional-class automobile racetrack. Another is the Mežaparks neighbourhood, which translates to "Forest Park". For families, the neighbourhood also features the Rīga Zoo, as well as ferry boat services to and from the city centre during the summer.
Sigulda
Sigulda, a town in the Vidzeme Region, is situated in the most picturesque part of the primeval Gauja valley. Reddish devon sandstone forms steep rocks and caves on both banks of the river. Because of this, since time immemorial Sigulda has been called the Switzerland of Vidzeme.
Sigulda became a city in 1928, although its history is much, much older. The Finno - Ugric tribe of the Livs arrived in the Gauja valley in the 11th century. Legends and documents tell us about a number of fortified wooden castles, including the Satesele, Turaida and Kubesele castles. The Livs used these to fight back against German Crusaders. We know of seven Liv castle mounds and a number of burial grounds in and around Sigulda.
As the most interesting sightseeing places are considered The Turaida Museum Reserve, located on a site where the Livs of the Gauja valley lived 1.000 years ago, the three castles of Birini, Krimulda and Sigulda, the largest cave in the Baltic States - the Gutmana cave, The Sigulda bobsled and luge track and the biggest national park - Gaujas National park.
Supported by the Town Council, a traditional Opera Music Festival takes place in the open-air music hall in the castle ruins each summer. When bird - cherry trees blossom in May, the Town festival is celebrated. In winter, visitors to Sigulda can enjoy skiing or watching races at the luge and bobsled track. In autumn the tall old trees make a wonderful show of a brilliant colours.
Sigulda with its heritage of extraordinary natural beauty and antiquity provides indelible impressions in any season.
Ventspils - a city on the move
Ventspils, located in the north-west of Latvia some 189 kilometres from Riga, is an up-to-date, modern European city with a wide range of available entertainment and tourist sights.
This city of 44,000 inhabitants is at mouth of the Venta River that flows into the Baltic Sea. Its ice-free, world-class port is one of the major transit hubs between East and West.
Some ten years ago, when Ventspils celebrated its 700th anniversary, its streets and buildings still showed widespread signs of neglect caused by decades of Soviet misrule. The contrast with the city's days of glory in the 17th century under Duke Jacob, and with the rapid period of expansion in the beginning of the 20th century, could not have been greater. The anniversary celebrations were also a time for reassessment and serious, long-term planning. Those efforts all those years ago have paid off, and helped bring about positive turn in city's development.
Ventspils also is proud of the cleanest streets and smoothest driving surfaces in the country. It is known as the brightest city in Latvia, with not a single unlit street or square after dark. During the summer months, attractive water fountains and flower arrangements abound in the city to please the eye and uplift the soul.
