Discover Rumbula: Memorial, Airfield and Daugava

Rumbula is a destination with an unusual variety of facets: the Rumbula Memorial commemorates the crimes of autumn 1941, while Rumbula Airfield offers a completely different way to experience the area through paragliding. In addition, the Daugava forms the eastern boundary of Rumbula. Anyone planning a trip can include historical remembrance, landscapes and a special form of air sports in their selection here.

The Rumbula Memorial as a central place of remembrance

The Rumbula Memorial commemorates approximately 25,000 Jews who were murdered in Rumbula in autumn 1941. A visit therefore represents a serious engagement with the history of the area. For travellers who want to learn about culture and history not only through exhibitions but also through a specific place of remembrance, the memorial is an important point of interest.

A defining feature is the stone processional square. At its centre stands a four-metre-high menorah, a seven-branched Jewish ritual candelabrum. This striking structure gives the site a clear visual centre and makes the character of the memorial immediately tangible. If you are travelling with your family, you can use the visit as an opportunity to talk about remembrance, Jewish history and how historical crimes are addressed. It is advisable to allow sufficient peace and attention for this part of the trip rather than treating it merely as a brief stopover.

Rumbula Airfield and paragliding

Another side of the area is revealed by Rumbula Airfield. It was established as a military airfield after the Second World War. Paragliding takes place at Rumbula Airfield. This gives your trip planning a second possible focus: in addition to the historical site, you can also explore the history of the airfield and the flying activity carried out there.

These different themes make Rumbula interesting for travellers who are not looking exclusively for a classic attraction. One day can be devoted to remembrance and historical context, while another can focus on the airfield and its use. This kind of thematic selection helps you tailor the trip to the interests of your fellow travellers without assigning the area a single uniform meaning.

The Daugava and practical orientation

The eastern boundary of Rumbula borders the Daugava. The river is therefore part of the area’s geographical orientation and complements the historical and aviation-related themes with a connection to the landscape. If you value waterscapes when planning your trip, the Daugava should be included in your personal selection of Rumbula’s highlights.

The Jewish Memorial in Rumbula can be reached via bus route 18 to the “Rumbula” stop. This specific connection may be important for your planning if you intend to visit the memorial using public transport. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which itinerary makes sense for you and which of the topics mentioned should be the focus.

Rumbula as a starting point for your accommodation search

A holiday apartment in Rumbula can be a suitable base if you want to explore the area because of its special combination of remembrance culture, airfield history and the Daugava. What matters is less a blanket classification of the destination than the question of which experiences you want to combine during your stay. If you are primarily interested in the memorial, particular attention should be paid to travelling to the “Rumbula” stop. If the airfield or the Daugava is the main focus, you can consider these topics separately when planning your trip.

As a supplement, you can also explore Līči, Dreiliņi and Ulbroka as part of your further trip planning. This allows you to connect your accommodation selection with the question of which places and topics you would like to explore in greater detail during your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Stopiņu Municipality.