Holiday apartment in Cēsu Municipality – Nature, castles and the Gauja
Cēsu Municipality is characterised by forests, bodies of water, hills and cliffs and includes places of cultural and historical significance. More than 65% of Cēsu Municipality is characterised by forests, bodies of water, hills and cliffs; the area also has 49 natural monuments. Gauja National Park also encompasses areas within Cēsu Municipality.
Nature
One of the most striking landscape features is Zvārtes iezis. The reddish Devonian sandstone outcrop on the banks of the Amata is one of the most beautiful in Latvia. Good views can be enjoyed both from the river and from the top of the cliff. The nature trails of Līgatne offer another perspective on the natural environment: set in forested landscapes shaped by ravines, they allow visitors to observe native wildlife and the Gauja Valley.
The Cecīļi Nature Trail runs along the Kumada, Dančupīte and Amata rivers. It includes a canyon, a small waterfall and Cecīļi Rock. This means that very different landscape elements are found side by side within Cēsu Municipality: forested ravines, riverbanks, bodies of water, hills and striking rock formations.
History and culture
Cēsis has a history spanning more than 800 years and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Baltics. Cēsu viduslaiku pils is an 800-year-old historical landmark and is considered one of the best-preserved castle ruins in Latvia. In summer, visitors can try medieval games and activities in the castle garden at weekends, learn traditional crafts and explore the medieval garden. The Cēsis Museum was founded in 1925 and holds more than 160,000 museum objects.
The Āraiši Archaeological Park also takes visitors back to earlier eras. It includes the only reconstruction in Europe of a fortified settlement from the 9th to 10th centuries. There is also a guided tour about the way of life and building traditions of the ancient Latgalians. Liestraupe Castle is the only castle in Latvia that is connected to a church within a single building complex.
The Melānija Vanaga Museum presents a film about Melānija Vanaga, handwritten unpublished books, the writer’s personal belongings and related stories. Near the museum there is a Siberian earth hut, considered the only facility of its kind in Latvia.
Trails and activities
The Jaunpiebalga–Viņķu kalns circular route is 17 km long, of moderate difficulty and starts at Gaujas iela 21 in Jaunpiebalga. The cycling route passes through the landscape of Piebalga and to the cultural and historical sights in the centre of Jaunpiebalga. VeloTava in Jaunpiebalga can recommend and accompany individually tailored routes that include natural and cultural-historical sights.
A cultural and historical trail runs through the paper mill village of Līgatne, with a 3 km pedestrian route and a 1.8 km variant that can be travelled by bicycle and with a pram. The Līgatne Tourist Information Centre is located at Spriņģu iela 2 in Līgatne.
More than 200 animals live at Rakši Zoo, including camels, llamas, alpacas and lemurs. Activities on offer include camel rides, walks with llamas, donkey-cart rides and feeding lemurs in direct contact. Ozolkalns ski resort has four slopes: a blue, a green, a red, and a children's and beginners' slope. Each is up to 500 metres long; there is also a chairlift.
Water and regional highlights
The Līgatne ferry crosses the Gauja using two connected boats and a plank deck. It is moved by the current from one bank to the other along a cable stretched across the river and is the only ferry of its kind in the Baltics. The ferry operates daily, although exceptions may occur due to technical or other unavoidable circumstances.
For trips on the Gauja and Brasla rivers, the Žagarkalns Boat Base rents out canoes, kayaks, inflatable boats, river catamarans, rafts and SUP boards. The base also offers transfers from the campsite to the starting point or from the destination back to the starting point.
Cuisine
Latvijas Ķiploks offers a 1.5-hour guided tour of garlic production with a tasting. The Straupe Slow Food Market takes place in the historic complex of Straupes zirgu pasts; the Straupes zirgu pasta virtuve is also located there.
Other directly linked places in Cēsu Municipality are Cēsis, Raiskums and Rāmuļi.
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