Alūksnes Municipality: Discover the Lake, Nature and Culture
Alūksnes Municipality combines protected landscapes, a large lake, a vibrant railway history and preserved traces of bygone eras. Among nature trails, viewpoints, museums and historic sites, you will encounter very different facets of the area.
Nature
The Veclaicene protected landscape area covers 20,846 hectares. It was established to preserve the cultural landscape and natural values of North Vidzeme, protect specially protected Latvian and European habitats and species, and promote their natural development in balance with recreation and tourism infrastructure. A smaller natural area is the 1-kilometre-long “Bebru valstība” nature trail, which includes part of the Jaunanna Nature Reserve. Visible traces of beaver activity and various forest artworks can be seen along the trail.
The Jaunlaicene Manor Park is also a place where landscape and history meet: the park covers 9 hectares and is connected with 170 years of ownership history of the von Wolff family. Developed walking paths lead through the grounds. In addition, 16 buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved at Jaunlaicene Manor.
In the Korneti area, the local observation tower is 27 metres high. From it, there are views of the Alūksne and Haanja highlands in Estonia; in good visibility, Suur Munamägi can also be seen. On Drusku Hill, a panoramic information board helps visitors identify the highest peaks on the Latvian and Estonian sides. Drusku pilskalns hillfort is considered one of the steepest hillforts in Latvia.
Lake and Trails
Lake Alūksne characterises the landscape around Alūksne. It has four named islands: Cepurīte, Garo sala, Tīklu sala and Pilssala. Swimming and trips by boat, catamaran and speedboat are possible on the lake. The highest point in Alūksne is located in Tempļakalns Park. The observation tower there has 153 steps, while the “ZZZIPPP” zip line runs across Lake Alūksne.
The “Ezertaka” is a circular trail approximately 2.8 kilometres long around the peninsula of Lake Alūksne. It can be walked in either direction. Possible starting points are the car park at the footbridge on Tempļakalna Street and the car park at the “Melnums” swimming area.
Culture and History
A defining part of the cultural heritage is the Gulbene–Alūksne narrow-gauge railway. Since 1998, it has been a historical monument of national significance. The Bānītis operates on a 33-kilometre section of this railway and continues to carry passengers every day. The operators regularly organise various events, including the annual Bānītis Festival.
In Alūksne, the multimedia exhibition “Alūksnes Bānīša stacija” has been set up in the historic station luggage shed. It presents ten individual stories about railway stations. Alūksne New Castle is a castle of the Fītinghof family, built in the second half of the 19th century in the Tudor Gothic style.
The Alūksne Museum presents the history, art and cultural heritage of the city and region through exhibitions. The museum regularly hosts themed cultural events and educational programmes for families and groups of schoolchildren. The Ernst Glück Bible Museum places a special emphasis on linguistic history, with Bibles in 40 world languages.
The Viktors-Ķirps-Ate Museum displays more than 6,500 objects in 13 buildings, 12 of which are open to visitors. Old tools used by the ancestors can also be seen there; visitors can not only view them but also try using them themselves.
Places in Alūksnes Municipality
For further exploration within the area, you will find the directly linked places: Alūksne, Jaunlaicene, Jaunanna, Visikums, Korneti, Kolberģis.
From here, you can continue exploring the individual places and their respective offerings.
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