Discover Ludzas Municipality: Holiday Apartments Between Nature and History

Ludzas Municipality combines impressive natural landscapes, a multifaceted history and vibrant regional traditions. The facets of Latgale include protected areas, lake landscapes, castle mounds, museums and culinary offerings.

Culture and History

An outstanding site of cultural history is the Ludzas Lielā sinagoga. Built in 1800, the wooden synagogue is considered the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltics. It was restored to its original appearance in 2016; today, it is a branch of the Ludzas Novadpētniecības muzejs. The building contains a prayer room and modern exhibitions about the documentary filmmaker Hercs Franks, his father, the Ludza photographer Vulfs Franks, and the fates of Jewish families from Ludza.

The Ludzas Novadpētniecības muzejs is housed in the home of General Kuļņevs. Its history exhibition covers the history of Ludzas Municipality from the earliest times to the present day. The cultural history centre “Līču mājas” also features a permanent exhibition on archaeology, the development of manor estates, the impact of railway construction, market traditions and the flourishing town of Kārsava before the Second World War.

The ruins of Ludza Castle lie atop a castle hill offering a panorama of the town. Ludza Castle of the Livonian Order was built in 1399 and has been reconstructed or depicted in virtual reality. The Ciblas Kapu kalns provides another historical highlight: the archaeological monument of national significance is one of the highest and largest castle hills in Latgale. At the Ludza Craftsmen Centre, practical workshops offer the opportunity to make a useful item or a gift.

Nature and Landscape

Grebļukalns is a Natura 2000 nature reserve in Pasienes pagasts, Ludzas Municipality. It protects rare habitats of pine forests on eskers, as well as the plant species Pulsatilla patens, which is protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The nature exhibition at the Ludzas Novadpētniecības muzejs also focuses on the landscape: it provides information about birds and animals found in four biotopes of Latgale – lake, forest, meadow and marsh.

The “Numernes valnis” Nature Park is a Natura 2000 site and has an observation tower and a nature trail. Next to the observation tower are the environmental artwork “Uguns”, created by Didzis Jaunzems, a walking path, a picnic area and chairs for stargazing. Marked cycle route No. 776 also passes through the nature park.

Several lakes with islands lie around the nature park at Lake Istra, including Dziļezers, Audeļu ezers and Istras ezers. The “Rundēnu Valna dūbe” natural monument is a geological formation and the only object of its kind in the Baltics. Rundēnu pagasts belongs to Ludzas Municipality. The Eversmuiža nature trail runs along the banks of the Ilža River; Eversmuiža Castle Fortress is located nearby.

Regional Cuisine

Latgaļu kukņa offers courses on preparing traditional Latgalian dishes and exploring old recipes by prior arrangement. Group catering with Latgalian-style meals is also available by prior arrangement. At Organic Products, visitors can sample spices, berry and vegetable powders, tea and freeze-dried fruit sweets.

Getting Around Ludzas Municipality

The Rīga–Pļaviņas–Varakļāni–Viļāni–Rēzekne–Ludza–Kārsava bus route connects Ludza with Rīga via Rēzekne and with Kārsava. By prior booking, the Ludzas Novadpētniecības muzejs offers guided tours of Ludza as well as of the museum and its grounds for registered adult and children’s groups.

Other Subareas

The direct subareas of Ludzas Municipality include Isnauda, Ludza, Nirza, Kušneri and Tutāni.

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Daugavpils Municipality, Ape Municipality, Aknīste Municipality.