Kursīši: Forests, Marshes and Traditions

Kursīši combines a forest-rich landscape with marshes, historical traces and a varied programme of events. If you are looking for an apartment or holiday home for your vacation, you can choose the location based on your preferred experiences: nature, hiking, sports, regional traditions or history can each give the trip its own focus.

Landscape Between Forest and Marsh

Forests cover 49% of the territory of the Kursīši parish. In addition, there are numerous marshes with their characteristic biotopes. This gives the area two clearly identifiable landscape themes to consider when planning your trip. Those who enjoy exploring natural areas and experiencing different landscape forms can include forests and marshes as important points of reference during their stay in Kursīši.

An unusual natural feature can be found near the houses of Baloži: the only living palm pine in Latvia can be seen in Kursīši parish. This special site adds a botanical curiosity to the landscape and is a distinctive destination for anyone who also looks for less ordinary discoveries while travelling.

History and Community Life

The history of Kursīši includes the former Lutheran church. It was built between 1695 and 1698 and consecrated on 26 October 1698. Its historical dating makes it an important cultural point of reference for the area. If you are interested in regional architectural history and church traditions, this chapter is part of Kursīši’s distinctive character.

Another focal point is the Kursīši open-air stage. It is located on a hill near the Kursīši water reservoir and is used for events in summer. The open-air stage also has volleyball and streetball courts. A Līgo celebration and a ball are traditionally held in Kursīši parish. Athletes from the parish take part in the annual interparish sports competition “DIENVIDI”; traditional summer and winter sports festivals are also held.

The “Rudens tirgus Kursīšos” is also among the events mentioned. It was held at the Kursīši open-air stage on 1 October for the third consecutive time. Together with the traditional festivals, this event shows that Kursīši can be experienced not only through its landscape, but also through community cultural and sporting occasions.

A 15 km Hiking Route

A 15 km hiking route leads to Kursīši. In addition to the route, it includes an outdoor reading room and information boards that draw attention to things that are no longer visible today. In this way, the offering combines physical activity with opportunities to read and engage with the surroundings. For planning your day, the route length in particular remains a concrete point of reference. If you prefer travelling on foot, you can give this focus greater weight when choosing your accommodation than the area’s events.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for holiday accommodation in Kursīši, it is worth first deciding on the pace you want for your stay. For nature-focused days, the forests, marshes and palm pine near Baloži take centre stage. For culture-focused trips, the former Lutheran church, the open-air stage and the traditional festivals offer suitable points of interest. Those who prefer active pursuits can consider the 15 km hiking route as well as the sports courts and sporting events mentioned above.

This selection helps you search for accommodation not only by the place name, but also by the travel experience you want. Kursīši can therefore serve as a starting point for different holiday ideas, without requiring all the places and offerings mentioned to be combined into one circular route.

More Destinations for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to include more places in your plans, also take a look at Druva, Šarlote, Jaunlutriņi and Saldus.

For the higher-level travel overview: Saldus Municipality.