Nabe: Castle, Estate and Dendrological Site

Nabe combines medieval history, estate culture and a protected dendrological site. Nabe Castle was built on Lake Lāde in the historical region of Metsepole and was a 14th-century vassal castle of the Archbishopric of Riga. Those looking for a holiday apartment and expecting more than just a place to stay will find a destination where historical traces and dendrological features come together to form a clear travel concept.

Nabe Castle Tower and Estate

The castle tower of Nabe has survived from the former castle complex. It stands near the later-built Nabe Estate. Nabe Castle Tower is a state-protected cultural monument within the grounds of Nabe Estate. Its dimensions illustrate the building’s history: the tower measures 11.2 × 11.13 metres and has walls two metres thick. For visitors interested in medieval architecture, regional history or unusual buildings, this tower is a distinctive focus of their travel plans.

The manor house of Nabe Estate was built in the second half of the 19th century. It consists of two wings of different heights arranged at right angles to one another. Several extensions are designed as verandas in the style of Roman villas. As a result, alongside the medieval castle complex, the later estate culture is also central: a stay in Nabe can be explored through both the history of the castle and the architecture of the estate complex.

Protected Planting and Park

Another aspect of the destination is revealed by the dendrological planting “Nabes Sibīrijas ciedrupriežu stādījumi”. It is a protected dendrological site and complements the cultural and historical side with an independent nature theme. Nabe Estate also includes a 2.8-hectare park. These different focal points can help you choose the right type of holiday: you can view Nabe as a destination for historical discoveries or combine its buildings with an interest in landscapes and distinctive plantings.

Planning with Historical Reservations

For visits, it is important to pay close attention to the current situation. In 2020 and 2021, Nabe Estate, the castle tower and other buildings in the complex were not open to visitors because of their emergency condition. If you choose accommodation in Nabe, you should therefore clarify before your visit which areas are currently accessible. The historical importance of the destination remains, independently of this, a valid reason to prepare your trip carefully using the available information.

Educational Trail and Cycling Trip

The cedar planting in Nabe and the Nabe estate complex are included in the “Lādezers” cultural and historical educational trail. This creates a thematic approach for your planning that considers nature and history together, without combining the individual sights into an unsubstantiated route. In addition, Nabe Estate is listed on the Limbaži–Saulkrasti section of EuroVelo 10. Cyclists can take this classification into account when preparing their trip.

For families with different interests, Nabe can be particularly appealing when not every day of the trip is intended to be the same: the castle represents medieval history, the manor house 19th-century architecture, the park a larger green space and the protected planting a special dendrological theme. When looking for a holiday apartment, you should therefore primarily check whether Nabe, as the desired location, suits your focus on history, nature or a combination of both themes.

Other Places in the Same Selection

If you would like to get to know other places from the same overarching selection in addition to Nabe, you can also include Vidriži, Bīriņi, Kaijciems, Šķirstiņi, Lāde, Vārzas, Limbaži and Ainaži in your further search.

To the overarching travel overview: Limbažu Novads.