82 NORTH EASTERN EUROPE

For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp92–3

One of Jūrmala’s many popular beaches

Jūrmala 2

20 km (12 miles) W of Rīga.

• 56,000. £ from Rīga. n Lienes
  iela 5 Majori, 6714 7900.

Literally meaning “seaside” in
Latvian, Jūrmala is an attractive
stretch of beaches, small towns
and pine forests alongside the
Gulf of Rīga. During the 19th
century, the area became
famous for its medicinal mud
and sulphur-rich spring water.
Jūrmala soon grew into a
popular resort and it became
fashion able to own a summer-
house here. These wooden
houses still dot the area, stand-
ing alongside upmarket spas
and modern guest houses.
Strict building regula tions
have helped preserve these
19th-century wooden summer
houses and restrict further
construction in the area.
Forming the heart of Jūrmala
is the pedestrianized strip of
Jomas iela in the town of
Majori. Lining the street are
several outdoor cafés, shops,
restaurants and hotels, includ-
ing the Historicist-style Hotel
Majori, built in 1925.
To the east of Majori, in
Dzintari town, is the Exhibition
of Antique Machinery, which
displays a popular col lec tion
of old cars and radio sets.
Located west of Majori, in
Dubulti town, Aspazija House
is the last home of one of
Latvia’s most famous poets,
Elza Rozenberga (1865–1943),
who wrote under the pen
name “Aspazija”. She was the
wife of Jānis Rainis, consid ered

Kuldīga 3

150 km (93 miles) W of Rīga.

* 14,000. c n Baznīcas iela 5,

6332 2259. _ Town Festival (mid-

Jul). http://www.kuldiga.lv

With a well-preserved Old

Town and an attractive loca-

tion alongside the Venta river,

Kuldīga is one of Latvia’s most

alluring provincial towns. It

was founded in 1242 by the

Livonian Order, who chose the

site to capitalize on the river

and land route linking Prussia

with the lower Daugava valley.

In the 16th century, Kuldīga’s

castle was one of the residen-

ces of Duke Gothard Kettler

and the town traded with

Rīga and Jelgava. The streets

near the attractive Old Town

Hall Square, running along-

side the Alekšupīte river,

feature 17th- and 18th-century

timber build ings. The Old

Town also has a couple of

fine churches: St Catherine’s

(šv Katrīnas baznīca) and the

Holy Trinity (šv Trīsvienības

Katoļu baznīca). A short walk

from Kuldīga is the Venta

Waterfall (Ventas rumba), the

widest in Europe. Close by is

a 164-m (538-ft) long brick

bridge, one of Europe’s

longest. Overlooking the

Venta river is Kuldīga District

Museum (Kuldīgas novada

muzejs), best known for its

collection of playing cards.

Environs

The Riežupe Sand Caves

(Riežupes smilšu alas), 4 km

(2 miles) north of Kuldīga,

form the longest cave system

in Latvia. A quarter of the 2-km

(1-mile) site is open to visitors.

E Kuldīga District Museum

Pils iela 5. Tel 6332 2364.

# 11am–5pm Tue–Sun. &

Venta Waterfall, stretching the

width of the Venta river, Kuldīga

Latvia’s national poet by many.

Now a branch of the Jūrmala

Town Museum, the house has

an interesting col lect ion of

manu scripts and photographs

related to the couple.

E Exhibition of Antique

Machinery

Turaidas iela 11, Dzintari. Tel 2926

3329. 
      

      May–Sep: noon–7pm

      
      

      Wed–Sun.
      E Aspazija House
      Meierovica prosp 20, Dubulti.
      Tel 6776 9445. # 11am–5pm
      Tue–Sun. &

      
      

White-and-blue exterior of Aspazija
House, Jūrmala