Discover Ratnieki: village pond, culture and getting there

Ratnieki can be discovered through three specific themes: the village pond, local dance and folklore groups, and named transport connections. Water, culture and getting your bearings offer different perspectives on the place. If you are looking for a holiday apartment as a base, first decide which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

Dance and folklore as cultural connections

The “JURIS” dance group for the middle generation began its activities at Ratnieku tautas nams in 2017. In 2025, the “Rateņš” folklore group from Ratnieki in Čornajas pagasts was listed in the national register. This gives you two distinct cultural points of reference: JURIS is identified as a dance group for the middle generation, and Rateņš as a folklore group. If you are interested in local culture, you can consider these themes separately. The years also refer to different things: 2017 marks the start of JURIS’s activities, while 2025 is the year Rateņš was listed in the register.

The village pond and water

A clear connection to water in Ratnieki is the village pond. In 2018, it was among the bodies of water monitored in the context of bathing waters in Rēzekne Municipality. Swimming at Ratnieku ciema dīķis was permitted on 14 August 2023. The two dates refer to different information: 2018 concerns the monitoring context, while 14 August 2023 identifies a day when swimming was permitted. If you are planning a swimming day now, check the current bathing conditions and access in advance.

Getting there and choosing a base

Regional bus route 6536 is named Rēzekne–Ratnieki–Baltiņi; a dated timetable lists Ratnieki as a stop. Check current departure times before including the bus in your travel plans. A 2020 spatial planning document for Čornajas pagasts lists road routes 4610 Ratnieki–Knutova–Treuhi and 4612 Anči–Ratnieki. The numbers help distinguish them: 6536 is the named bus route, while 4610 and 4612 are the listed road routes. If travelling on these roads, check current road conditions.

If you are considering Ratnieki as a base for a holiday apartment, take the transport information into account when choosing a location.

The region in context

For a broader regional perspective, Rāzna National Park is another point of reference. The park includes the pagasti of Kaunatas, Čornajas and Lūznavas in Rēzekne Municipality. These three pagasti place the region on a larger scale than the local questions of the pond, cultural groups and getting to Ratnieki. If you are planning your trip regionally rather than focusing only on a specific place, you can consider the park as a separate layer; your choice of Ratnieki will still be guided by its specific local themes.

Discover more destinations: Rikopole, Rēzekne, Bērzgale, Lipuški, Gaigalava, Astici, Seksti, Gaiduļi.

For a broader travel overview: Rēzekne Municipality.