Ķegums: Hydropower History, Beach and Nature

Ķegums combines an impressive energy history with water activities at the beach and a variety of paths through the suburban forests. Anyone looking for a mix of culture, exercise and their own daily plans for a holiday will find various points of interest here: You can explore the history of the Ķegums Hydroelectric Power Station, use boats or swimming equipment at the beach, and explore the surroundings on foot, by bicycle or while orienteering.

Discover the history of the Ķeguma HES

The Ķegums Hydroelectric Power Station, Ķeguma HES, was built from 1936 to 1940. In October 1944, German troops blew up the power station during their retreat. It was rebuilt and expanded by 1947. This eventful development can be traced at several locations in Ķegums.

At the Enerģētikas muzejs at Ķeguma prospekts 7/9, registration is required at least five working days in advance. This lead time is particularly important for your planning if a museum visit is to be a fixed part of your stay. An interactive model of the Ķeguma HES allows visitors to explore the power station and playfully simulate its commissioning for electricity generation.

There are also historical points of reference outdoors. The outdoor exhibition of the Elektrum Energy Museum includes a historic turbine from the Ķegums power station. Along the Ķeguma dabas taka nature trail, information boards explain the construction, expansion and modernisation of the Ķeguma HES. Next to the Ķeguma skatu terase viewing terrace, another board describes the historic construction of the power station’s bridge arches.

Photographs, Glass Plates and an Important Archive

The history also includes the collection “The Construction Process of the Ķegums Power Station (1936-1940)”. In 2009, it was added to Latvia’s national register of the UNESCO “Memory of the World” Programme. The collection comprises photographic negatives and glass plates by Latvian photographer and documentary filmmaker Eduards Kraucs (1898–1977). Ķegums therefore offers not only a history of technical construction, but also a visual way to access its creation and documentation.

Beach Days with Water and Exercise

Various opportunities for active hours are available at Ķegums Beach. A pavilion and a landing stage are part of the beach facilities; there is also a rental service for boats and other swimming equipment. The “WindBorn” leisure facility rents out SUP boards and catamarans. Public volleyball courts and outdoor fitness equipment round out the offering. This allows you to spend time by the water in many different ways, from quiet observation to sporting activities.

For a trip with several generations, this makes it possible to plan the day flexibly: Some members of your travel group can explore the history of hydropower while others spend time at the beach. The beach is not tied to a specific daily programme; you choose the activities according to your own interests and the itinerary for each day.

Paths Through the Suburban Forests

The walking paths in the suburban forests of Ķegums can be used for walking, Nordic walking, running, orienteering and cycling. This range offers different ways to experience the surroundings without limiting your stay to a single activity. Anyone who enjoys cycling can include the forest paths in their daily plans. For others, a walk or an orienteering session may be suitable as a separate outing.

A cross procession is also part of the town’s annual cycle: A cross procession takes place at Ķeguma Krusta kalns every year in June, on the Saturday before Jāņi. This specific date in the annual calendar adds a special cultural accent and may be of interest to visitors who would like to learn about regional traditions.

The Right Holiday Apartment for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Ķegums, it is worth deciding in advance what you would like to focus on. Those particularly interested in technology and history can take into account registration for the Enerģētikas muzejs and the sites around the Ķeguma HES. For days by the water, the beach, landing stage and the rental services mentioned above are the main attractions. Those who prefer exercise in nature can plan their trip around the suburban forests and their various uses.

For further orientation, you can also look at Rembate and Birzgale. This allows you to compare which place best suits your planned mix of culture, water and nature before choosing your accommodation.

For the overarching travel overview: Ķeguma Novads.