Latvia

Although Latvia is a small country in Europe's Baltic region, its pristine coastline and rich culture often surpass those of even more well-known European destinations. It has become a real hidden gem for tourists looking for lesser-known beauty and historical charm in Europe's larger and more popular countries. But precisely what distinguishes Latvia from other nations?

Latvians will proudly and loudly respond, "What I love most about my country is... Naturally, nature! People in Latvia are connected to their land and culture by nature, which has its roots in ancient celebrations.

Līgo or "Jāņi," as it is more commonly referred to by the locals, is a truly one-of-a-kind celebration of the summer solstice that attracts tourists to Latvia in June. On the 23rd of June, Latvians of all ages come together to pull the ultimate all-nighter. Some of the many activities include singing, dancing, feasting, and jumping over a bonfire. On the shortest summer night, you should definitely put it on your bucket list to wait for the sun to rise.

Another local custom that tends to bring the typically introverted Latvians together at home and abroad is singing. Every five years, the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It attracts tens of thousands of spectators, folk dancers, and approximately 50,000 choral singers.

The heart of Latvian culture is much more commonplace, despite the fact that grand celebrations and events are an important part of the culture. In spite of the abundance of tourist attractions, castles, museums, and architectural structures in and around Riga, the small Baltic state's spirit is best expressed by the charm of everyday objects. Take a cool dip in the Baltic Sea, a river, a lake, or a pond to start your day. Have a hearty breakfast made from local ingredients like cottage cheese, rye bread, and vegetables from the market or your own garden.

Despite the abundance of open-air activities like festivals, foraging, and skiing during the winter in the Latvian countryside, there is also a lot to talk about in the town. People who enjoy taking leisurely strolls through the city streets of Latvian cities, particularly Riga, can choose from a wide variety of options, including fantastic cuisine, vibrant cultural scenes, evocative art nouveau architecture, and Medieval structures in Old Riga.

You can end your day in the city by sampling craft beers made in the area and having a good time with the locals in one of the city's many hip bars and cultural venues. or attend a Latvian National Opera and Ballet performance that rivals the best in the world. Latvian culture is steeped in greatness and creativity; it is the birthplace of many famous people, including Mark Rothko, Mikhail Barishnikov, Sergei Eisenstein, Mariss Jansons, and Elina Garanca.

Latvia is, in the minds of many visitors, Europe's best-kept secret. If you're willing to go off the beaten path, Latvia has a lot of hidden adventures for you to discover. You might be able to see Kurzeme's charming fishing villages, Jurmala's white sand beaches, Latgale's blue lakes, and Riga's bustling cobbled streets all in one trip.

Riga Cathedral

Riga Cathedral, also known as the Riga Dom, is a historic religious landmark located in the heart of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. It is one of the largest medieval churches in the Baltic region and a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage.

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Rundale Palace

In the south of Latvia, the fertile Zemgale Plains surround the Rundale Palace. Johann Michael Graff, a sculptor from Berlin, and Italian painters from St. Petersburg, Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucchi, who worked at the palace between 1765 and 1768, were responsible for most of the interior decorations.

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Dobele Castle

<h2 style="text-align:start">The ancient castle in the centuries </h2> <ul> <li>4.-5. century the current territory of Dobele was inhabited by one of the basic peoples of Latvia - the Zemgali, whose range covered not only the middle part of Latvia (Zemgale plain), but also Northern Lithuania.</li> <li>12/13 century Christian missionaries arrived from Germany as part of the Crusades, founding the Order of the Sword Brothers (after 1236 - the Livonian Order), which started the gradual Christianization of the indigenous peoples of Latvia.</li> <li>According to the 1254 agreement on the division of Zemgale between the Livonian Order, the Riga Archbishopric and the Riga Cathedral Chapter, the Dobele and Tērvete city districts were awarded the order.</li> <li>In 1254, the name of Dobele was mentioned for the first time in the written historical sources - in the partition agreement of Zemgale.</li> <li>Not withstanding the prolonged military pressure of the crusaders, in 1289 the Zemgals burned down their wooden castle and went in search of refuge to Lithuania.</li> <li>In 1335, the Livonian Order, under the leadership of master Eberhard von Monenheim, started the construction of a stone castle on the site of the burnt down wooden castle.</li> <li>When the Livonian Confederation collapsed (in the middle of the 16th century), Dobele Castle became part of the Kurzeme-Zemgale Duchy (Polish-Lithuanian vassal state).</li> <li>In 1642, upon the death of Duke Friedrich of Kurzeme-Zemgale, Dobele Palace as a "widow's estate" came to the disposal of Duchess Elizabetes Magdalena, who until her death in 1649, carried out construction and improvement works of the palace.</li> <li>17th century in the second half, Dobele Castle suffered from several military conflicts that took place episodically among the great powers of the Baltic Sea region, however, the castle experienced the greatest damage during the Northern War (1700 - 1721).</li> <li>Since 1729, when the last manager left Dobele Castle, it was no longer permanently inhabited.</li> <li>On June 26, 1870, the "day of songs" or the song festival of the Kurzeme province took place in Dobele and the castle ruins, in which 15 choirs with a total of around 400 singers and a 40-member symphony orchestra took part.</li> <li>Since the 20th century In the beginning, various cultural events were held in the territory of the castle ruins with the participation of a large number of visitors. </li> <li>From the 20th century 50 years ago, the archaeological research work began in the Dobele castle hill and the old town.</li> </ul> https://dobelespils.lv/  

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Latvian National Opera and Ballet

The Latvian National Opera and Ballet serves as the State Theatre for the advancement and promotion of the opera and ballet genre. Since 2019, the theatre, which was founded in 1918, has been led by Chairman of the Board Egils Sili, Board Members Inese Eglte and Sandis Voldi, Chief Conductor Marti Ozoli, and Artistic Director of the Latvian National Ballet Aivars Leimanis in shaping and implementing the artistic policy. The productions of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet emphasize the ideals of romantic and classical art while also attempting to express contemporary ideas. The Latvian and international publics are welcome to attend the Latvian National Opera and Ballet: It frequently collaborates with numerous outstanding guest soloists, conductors, choreographers, directors, stage designers, costume designers, and lighting and video designers, both domestically and internationally, for guest performances. The Great Hall, which was built in 1863 and was designed by architect Ludwig Bohnstedt, can hold 952 people, while the New Hall, which was designed by architect Juris Gertmanis and was finished in 2001, can hold 241.

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Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum

One of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe is located on the banks of Lake Jugla, just a 30 minute drive from downtown Riga. This museum is unique when compared to similar museums around the world with the fact that it began to collect its exhibitions before the war, and thus many of its exhibition objects are in very good condition. 118 historical buildings from all four of Latvia’s provinces – Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgale, have been put on display at the museum. The buildings range in age, and most of them were originally constructed between the 17th century up all the way up until the 1930s.

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Koknese Medieval Castle Ruins

Koknese Castle was one of the largest and most important medieval castles in Latvia. The construction of the Riga Archbishop's stone castle began here in 1209 and within a short time a huge castle with a forecourt and the fortified town of Koknese next to it was built. During next centuries it became the residence of the Archbishop of Riga. The castle and the town were repeatedly devastated.  Koknese Castle was abandoned after the western towers were blown up during the Great Northern War in 1701 and impressive ruins have survived to this day. After the Pļaviņas Hydroelectric Power plant reservoir was flooded, the water reached the castle foundations. The ruins of the medieval castle of Koknese still bear witness to the former grandeur of the ancient Hanseatic city. The castle ruins are now the venue for theatrical performances, concerts, money minting, virtual flights and medieval and old Latvian wedding ceremonies. The historical exhibition in the castle ruins pavilion gives insight about the previous scenery of the place. You can buy Koknese souvenirs and see a model of Koknese Castle. The Torture Chamber is open to the public and an audio guide is available.  At the ruins of the medieval castle of Koknese there is a boat stop from which boats leave in summer and SUP boards, boats and catamarans can be rented.

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