Discover Šarlote

At Šarlote, the search for its history begins with a specific connection to the manor estate. A government announcement from 1924 lists Šarlotes pusmuiža among the manor estates of Ezere parish. A dendrological inventory of park plantings in Ezere parish records Šarlote on 4 August 1978. The two entries highlight different aspects: one places the manor estate within the parish, while the other lists Šarlote in connection with the park plantings. Together, they provide two points in time for the history of the place.

Getting there and finding your way

The local Bērzu iela–Šarlote road is 950 metres long and has a gravel surface. A municipal record from 2021 gives this length and surface; road conditions and maintenance can change. Check the current situation before setting out. A route description dated 4 August 1978 also describes a local access road from the Grīvaiši–Saldus road via Šarlotes ceļš. Treat this as a historical reference and use current directions for your journey today.

Park paths, ponds and water engineering

The park of Lielezere Manor covers 24.1 hectares. It is home to 36 non-native trees and shrubs, and also has walking paths. The area, botanical details and paths offer different ways to explore the landscape: you can focus on a walk in the park or take a closer interest in its plantings.

There are picnic and fire sites at both ponds. Fishing is permitted only with a licence. If you are planning a fishing trip, make sure to account for the licence requirement in advance. Another specific example of water engineering can be found at the millpond in Ezere: the watermills date from the early 20th century, and the lock was commissioned in 1982. Its structure is shaped like a maple leaf and is considered rare in Latvia. Here, the history of the mills, a later date for the infrastructure and the lock’s distinctive shape sit side by side.

Church architecture and history

The Lutheran church in Grīvaiši preserves a pulpit with 17th-century woodcarvings. It is designed in the Mannerist style; by contrast, the surviving altar dates from the 19th century and is Neo-Gothic. The church, its cemetery and the Grīvaiši inn together form a building complex characteristic of rural Latvia from the 17th to the 19th century. These details reveal different periods and styles. If you would like to see the church’s interior, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Another historical reference is the customs house, “Muitas nams”: on 8 May 1945, the surrender of German troops trapped in the so-called Courland Pocket was signed there. The interactive exhibition “Karadarbības beigas Kurzemē” covers the end of hostilities in Courland and the surrender of Courland. If you plan to visit the exhibition, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Plan the right stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Šarlote, it helps to decide first what interests you most: the history of the manor estate, park paths and water engineering, or church architecture and history? The places and features mentioned offer different starting points, without requiring you to cover every theme in a single day. When planning, keep the fishing licence requirement in mind, check access to indoor spaces, and use up-to-date information for your journey.

Discover more destinations: Kursīši, Saldus, Druva, Jaunlutriņi.

For the broader travel overview: Saldus Novads.