Zūras: Manor Avenue, Park and Regional Stories

Zūras combines an exceptional avenue with manor history, parkland and vivid experiences centred on crafts, agriculture and sugar. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Zūras can plan their trip entirely according to their own interests: between a natural monument, exhibition and hands-on activities, this destination brings history to life rather than merely recounting it.

A Special Avenue and the Park of Zūru Manor

The avenue of Zūru Manor is a protected natural monument of national importance. It is also considered Latvia’s longest double avenue. Two rows of lime trees grow on each side of the road; at certain intervals, there are also ash trees and horse chestnuts. This makes the approach itself a distinctive part of the local landscape.

The manor includes a 5.8-hectare park. Thirty-seven non-native tree and shrub species grow there. In the southern part of the park are baronial graves, beside which cork oaks grow. These individual details give the park its own historical and botanical character. The story “The Splendour and Decline of Zūru Manor” offers a tour through the village of Zūras. Visitors can see the double avenue, the manor buildings and the park.

Regional History at the Zūru Local History Exhibition

The Zūru Local History Exhibition, formerly the Zūru Museum, opened in 1998. It displays old work tools as well as household and furnishing items. It also includes materials documenting events in Vārve Parish and Ventspils Municipality. This makes it possible to combine the visit with questions about everyday life, work and regional development.

Latvia’s first sugar factory was built in Zūras. The story “Cukurgalvas” traces the transformation of a sugar beet seed into white sugar. Visitors can use old recipes to make various kinds of sweets. Those interested in food history and traditional production will find here a different approach to the past than simply viewing historic buildings.

Take Part Rather Than Just Look

The story “From Fibre to Fabric” also focuses on traditional working methods. It provides information about sheep farming and flax cultivation and enables visitors to card, spin, ply, wind and weave themselves. In the “Rūķu darbnīca” workshop, visitors can grind grain, knead white bread and bake it themselves. Such activities fit well into a stay when a travel group has different interests and, alongside exploring nature or history, wants to try things out together.

The route to the Zūru Local History Exhibition leads via the turn-off to Zūru and along Latvia’s longest double avenue. An important rule applies at Zūru Muiža: entering the building without permission is prohibited and may be subject to criminal prosecution. Therefore, plan only the expressly designated visiting opportunities and distinguish between the tour through the village, avenue and park and entering the building without authorisation.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Zūras, you can first decide which experiences should be the main focus. For a stay centred on cultural history, the exhibition, manor avenue, park and stories about sugar, textile crafts and agricultural work are the highlights. Those who allow more time for individual stops can combine the various themes at a leisurely pace.

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Užava, Vendzavas, Pope, Usma, Leči, Dzirnavas, Vārve and Ventava.

To the overarching travel overview: Ventspils.