Ragana has a clear cultural focus: landscape and granite sculptures, Latvian-themed programs at Krimuldas Tautas nams, and an annual autumn market shape the character of the town. Krimuldas Sporta centrs also offers a wide range of sports facilities. You can tailor your stay to your interests, choosing between art, cultural events, the seasonal market and exercise.

Sculptures and Latvian Culture

Raganu Park features 17 landscape sculptures, created in a rural setting by 14 Latvian sculptors as part of a five-year project from 2004 to 2009. These figures describe a collaborative undertaking rather than the work of a single sculptor: both the artworks and the involvement of 14 artists, as well as their connection to the landscape, are part of what defines it.

Raganu parks is a collection of boulder and granite sculptures by sculptor Juris Švalbe, located on the Ziemelis farmstead, also in a rural setting. The facade of Krimuldas Tautas nams in Ragana also features the metal sculpture group “Mūzas” by Aivars Gulbis. This brings different artistic forms into view: landscape sculptures from the project, boulder and granite works, and metal art on a facade.

Krimuldas Tautas nams has been in existence since 1970. Over the years, a variety of performances and concert programs based on Latvian traditions have been presented there. Alongside visual art, Latvian cultural programming is another facet of Ragana.

The former Raganas krogs inn is also part of the town’s history: it was first mentioned in sources in the major cadastral revision of 1682/1683. This early historical reference adds an older chapter in the town’s history to its more recent cultural institutions.

An Autumn Market Event

The Miķeļdienas dižtirgus takes place each autumn in the center of Ragana, bringing together traders and marketgoers. As an annual autumn market, it provides a seasonal reason to choose a particular time for your trip. If you would like to combine your trip with the market, check the exact event dates in advance.

Sports at Krimuldas Sporta centrs

Krimuldas Sporta centrs has a 25-meter swimming pool with four lanes. The facilities also include a gym and a sports hall. The pool’s dimensions and number of lanes give the swimming area a clearly defined role within the complex.

Other facilities include a large football pitch, tennis, volleyball and streetball courts, and an inline hockey rink. There is also a stadium with training equipment. The range spans swimming and indoor sports as well as various ball sports and physical activities. When weighing up your options, consider whether the swimming pool or the selection of sports courts matters more to you.

Landscape in the Regional Context

In Krimuldas pagasts, the landscape between Ragana and Turaida is regarded as a valuable, mosaic-like landscape of rolling lowlands and a popular tourist destination. This regional perspective complements the town’s cultural and sporting focus with its landscape. It offers another way to understand the area between the two places mentioned.

This gives you a clear basis for choosing a destination: sculptures and Latvian culture are a key focus, while sports facilities and the annual autumn market appeal to other interests. The landscape between Ragana and Turaida adds a regional dimension to these themes. When planning, consider whether art, the autumn market or sporting opportunities are your main priority.

Discover more destinations: Turaida, Inciems.

For the broader travel overview: Krimuldas Novads.