Cash

During the Soviet era, this site was dubbed The Starlet; it was extremely secret and served to intercept radio signals and telephone conversations in NATO countries. Soon after Latvia’s independence was restored, in 1994, the Russian military personnel left this place. However, as they withdrew, they smashed the equipment, poured acid into the electric motors and chopped up the cables. Fortunately, there had been no order to blow up the enormous antenna dishes.

With assistance from the European Union, the army radar has been transformed to serve scientific purposes: now the 32-metre wide antenna, weighing 600 tonnes, is pointed towards the most remote corners of space. It is the largest radio telescope in Northern Europe, which can “see” sound just like a bat, catches radiation unseen by the human eye and turns it into an image. Astronomers observe the Sun this way, as well as the oldest radiation in existence: particles that originated billions of years ago in the wake of the Big Bang, the moment of the birth of the universe.

A second radio telescope has also been renovated in Irbene (16 metres in diameter), which will soon be used to track the first Latvian satellite, currently being built by Latvian students in cooperation with Germans at the University of Bremen. The military past in Irbene has bequeathed it a number of crumbling structures, about which Juris Žagars, doctor of physics and head of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, quips: “You could shoot a horror movie called Frankenstein and the KGB here without having to spend a single lat for the sets.”

As the Irbene radar is no longer a secret military object, it is possible to tour it, with guides also available. The tour includes more than a mere walk around the grounds: it is also possible to climb up to the external platforms on the upper floors of the telescopes and relish the beautiful views extending across the Kurzeme forests. Since the spring of 2009, it is also possible to go for a walk in the underground tunnel connecting the larger radio telescope with the technical headquarters.

In the area surrounding Irbene, there are other noteworthy objects. Almost nine kilometres further down the Kurzeme coast, you will find the Oviši lighthouse, built in 1905. It is the oldest surviving navigational structure in Latvia. The same distance away, there is Miķeļbāka, the tallest lighthouse in the Baltics, rising to 62 metres. The scenic Irbe River flows past the Irbene radar, popular with boating enthusiasts who like to retreat from the bustle of civilisation; not far from here, there is also the Slītere national park, Cape Kolka, and the unique Livonian Coast, which is the cultural and historical homeland of the Livonian people.

 This is an excellent place for family recreation. In 2005 domestic llamas from South America joined the team of the "Cīruļi" Zoo residents.  In their home land, these llamas are used to carrying packs.

These animals may be viewed from the observation tower - café from where there is a good view on the surrounding area.Including the Grobiņas wind generator park.

Kalvene’s Zoo is located 55 km from Liepāja. Riga - Liepāja motorway 186 km.

The game provides an insight into the period of Soviet occupation, including in the tourist circulation the unique fortification buildings of the Czarist times which sometimes go unnoticed.

The task of the game to act in a united way to overcome various obstacles, to find a friend who is unable to move himself, and to take him to the submarine.

Team spirit and the sense of a friend’s support are very important in this game. While being in the border zone of the U.S.S.R. the participants have to move quietly, hide and scout the vicinity. The game is offered to participants over 10. Younger children can try to escape together with their parents. No need to make prior arrangements.

At the end of the 17th century, the Dominican Order established a monastery in Aglona and built the first wooden church. After the church burnt down in 1699, a stone monastery building and the present church were built in its place in 1768 -1780. The interior of the shrine was created in the 18th-19th century, but the pulpit, the organ, and the confessional were built at the end of the 18th century.

The church houses an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and artistic treasures, including the famous icon “Our Miraculous Lady of Aglona”, which is uncovered only during religious festivals. The painting is considered to have healing powers. In 1993, Pope John Paul II visited Aglona sanctuary. Extensive renovation works in the church and improvements of the surrounding amenities were carried out prior to this visit.

The park is divided into several areas: the museum territory, landscape environment, wild nature, a classic garden and a modern area. As the aforesaid areas are united in one territory and border each other, one of the most important tasks is to achieve is that they do not compete, but rather supplement each other. The park provides an opportunity to see not only the artificially created objects, but to also see nature itself.

If you are quiet enough and look carefully during a visit to the park, you may see different wild animals. Water flowing in the ravine is like a miniature mountain river full of rapids as it rushes over stones and wind-fallen trees. One of the most interesting attractions is riding a log-boat and bathing in a log-bath. When it gets dark, evening guided walks by torchlight are available. The light forest and its many log lamps is especially ideal for evening events.

There are small log houses in the central part of the park. One of them is a romantic residential house available for stays; a woodworking workshop is set up in another house. The woodworking workshop is like a start for the future plan to build a proper museum with many buildings, as the collected exposition is sufficiently large and cannot yet be exhibited in its entirety.

The foundations of the current building were laid by the Duke of Kurzeme Ernst Johan Biron, who in 1737 ordered the Russian Court architect Rastrelli to design a new residence in the baroque style. Rastrelli also designed the famous Rundāle Palace, the Peterhof Palace and the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. In 1919, the Jelgava Palace was burned down by soldiers of the Bermont-Avalov army troops who fought against the independence of the young Latvian Republic.

The palace was restored, but later destroyed again in the flames of World War Two. After the war, the palace was restored and now the Latvia University of Agriculture is located here. Excavations have been done in the palace, during which coins, Dutch pipes, tiles and cast-iron columns have been found. Although the palace was handed over to students, the former owners rest in peace here as well – one of the palace buildings is the Dukes’ sepulchre, where 24 persons from the Ketlers dynasty and six persons from the Biron dynasty are buried.

This is also the burial place of the first Duke of Kurzeme Gothard Ketler – the sarcophagus made in 1587 that houses his remains is the most precious object in the sepulchre. The sepulchre has been restored and is open to visitors.

The Jelgava Palace Park was started in 1817 in the place of the former palace ramparts. The park set up on the palace island has romantic canals, bridges, palace buildings and the Governor’s islet, making it one of the most beautiful parks in Jelgava. Some old trees also grow in the park – horse chestnuts, an oak and a grey aspen.

In addition, there is another unique object to be seen at the palace – a herd of wild horses on the palace’s isle. Jelgava can be conveniently reached from Riga (44 kilometres) by train, bus or car.

Several exhibitions are displayed, for example, sculptures, antique clocks, and chests, as well as special handicrafts, and other premises of the medieval castle. Various paintings are displayed in the premises of the castle, as well as an exhibition which is regularly renewed. Over time, the castle has been rebuilt and expanded, but has retained its ancient aura to the present day. Originally, Ēdole Castle consisted of two parallel residential buildings which were connected by a stone wall. The gate tower was located in the middle of the southeast wall.

In 1905, Ēdole Castle was burnt down. As a result of the renovation works, it lost its Neo-Gothic character. New doors, windows, inner shutters, and other carpentry items had to be ordered anew. These are artistically very valuable with ornate hammered work consistent with the style of the premises. The restoration works also affected the household yard which was fenced in with a stone wall, and a small tower was built, which, quite probably, was named in honour of Russian Czar Alexander III.

The castle and the castle museum, the church built at the end of the16th century, and the water mill are open to visitors. Today, Jaunpils Castle hosts the entire social life of Jaunpils.

The scenic surroundings and the social folklore serve as the backdrop for tourist attractions. You will be able to turn into a full fledged medieval hero together with the monks, jesters, lords, and servants of the castle. A romantic atmosphere prevails here because everything is taking place in a seven century old castle. Re-enacted theatrical tours of the castle are offered.

Kartavkalnu nature path is situated in the vicinity of Jaunpils. A settlement of ancient Latvians with log buildings and a fortification wall is under construction near the castle mound. Benches have been placed along the path and campfire sites have been equipped, tents can be safely set up at the foot of the castle mound, there are also country-style toilets found in the thickets.

Heading in the direction of Strutele, you can reach Elles (the Infernal) hill and have a look at Strutele Church. If you wish to visit the place where Matīss Siliņš, the outstanding Latvian ethnographer and cartographer lived, then the road will take you to the farmstead "Ķuņķuri" near Viesatas.

In 2005 the Castle was included in the List of the 100 Best Cared-for Monuments of European Cultural Heritage in Latvia.

The buildings of the Dikļi castle are organically complemented by a park spanning 20 hectares. Adjacent to the palace lies a duck pond, which is said to have had a floor made of oak. Mazbriede River begins just beyond the pond, whose ravines contain a landscape garden, also known as the Forest Park. In the 1960s, after surveying Dikļi castle park, it was found that approximately 20 exotic trees grow on its grounds.

Dikļi castle is one of the few palaces and landed estates in Vidzemes where much of the original interior décor has been relatively well-preserved. The palace contains a collection of luxurious old stoves and fireplaces. Dikļi castle was restored in 2003. At the moment, the palace houses a hotel, a restaurant, a spa and it provides a venue for various functions.

An Aviary is located on one side of it, while at the very centre of the park one finds the Lovers’ Oak, in whose branches tinkle the love bells left there by newlyweds. Down the broad stone staircase, we arrive at the lake-side arbour. Numerous visitors have memorialised themselves here in photographs, and newlyweds have promised each other eternal love on their wedding day!

The Water Mill Lane along the Mill Lake leads to the old Water Mill, where a museum of antiquities cosily shares space with a pub in the summer months. While sipping a cocktail on the wooden deck over the lake, you will be able to watch fish devour every crumb thrown at them. In wintertime, we invite you to try leze, an ancient merry-go-round on ice. If you book in advance, a roaring fire, hot tea and a bath-house will await you.

The Bīriņi castle was built based on a design by the architect F. W. Hess. It is the most impressive representative of the Rundbogenstil in Latvian manor architecture. The overall architectonic execution of the structure can be attributed to the Neo-Gothic style, yet the lintels of the windows are a significant component of the overall composition, and these are typical of the Rundbogenstil. Thus, in terms of style, the Bīriņi castle can be considered an unusual two-way combination. It received recognition from contemporaries, and in the present day it can be seen as an example of atypical architectonic thinking. The building used to boast an opulent décor – sculptures, mouldings – but this was lost in World War I. A Neo-Renaissance interior has been preserved in the castle: a spacious entrance vestibule with a bilateral staircase, a dining-room with a wooden-panelled ceiling and glazed-tile stoves.