The Abava River divides Kandava into two clearly distinct parts: the Old Town lies on the left bank, while New Kandava is on the right. This division by the riverbanks offers a useful starting point for getting oriented in the town. Architecture, bridges and the museum give a stay a cultural and historical focus; nearby Čužu Bog adds a distinct natural accent. In Kandava, town history and landscape thus offer different perspectives side by side.
Town Layout and Architectural History
The Old Town includes enclosed courtyards and two-storey commercial buildings with galleries. These details give the historic townscape a distinctive architectural character, different from the orientation provided by the two riverbanks. Kandava’s Powder Tower was built during the time of Duke Jacob. Those interested in architectural history can consider the features of the Old Town and the Powder Tower as different aspects: on the one hand, courtyard and building forms; on the other, a structure with a historical context.
Two Bridge Highlights
Kandava Bridge is Latvia’s oldest boulder bridge over the Abava River. It has four arches and is 66 m long. The Kandava Promenade offers a different connection to bridges: it includes seven bridges over the stream there, built in keeping with wedding traditions. The promenade is designed as a place of recreation for adults and children. To find your way around, it helps to distinguish between the boulder bridge over the Abava and the promenade’s seven bridges: the former focuses on the river, arches and dimensions, while the latter are associated with a stream and wedding traditions.
Museum and Summer Art
The Kandava Local History Museum was founded in 1995 at the initiative of historian and teacher Viktors Vītols, who taught at Kandava Boarding School; it was based on the materials he had collected. Among the exhibitions shown there is “Ar zirgu uz Kandavas tirgu”. The museum’s founding story and a specific exhibition theme offer two perspectives on Kandava’s local history. The museum also offers a tasting of Kandava acorn coffee, which requires advance booking.
Summer art plein airs have been held in Kandava for more than twenty years. Alongside the museum, they add a seasonal artistic focus: the museum is associated with a specific exhibition title, while the plein airs form a recurring summer tradition. If you are planning your visit around art, check the event dates when making specific plans.
Walks and Nature Nearby
The interactive walking trail starts at the Kandava Tourist Information Centre; QR codes are used at each point of interest. As local details may be updated, check the information about the trail before your walk.
Nearby is Čužu Bog, a rare and specially protected calcareous fen with several sulphur springs. The Čužu Bog Trail is also nearby. The bog adds a natural focus alongside the town’s architecture, while the nearby trail offers another way to experience the landscape and nature. If you give landscape equal weight to local history when choosing a destination, include the surrounding area as a focus in its own right.
Discover more destinations: Vāne, Cére, Rūmene, Kārkliņi
View the broader travel overview: Kandavas Novads.
