A wooden synagogue built in 1800, the castle ruins in Ludza with their panoramic city views, and a variety of nature conservation themes give a trip to Ludza Municipality a clear focus. You can tailor your cultural history, exhibitions and nature watching to your interests: the themes range from archaeological sites to regional cuisine.
Castle, Synagogue and Exhibitions
Ludza Castle of the Livonian Order was built in 1399. Its ruins stand atop a castle hill, which offers panoramic views of the city. The castle is also represented in a virtual reconstruction. This brings the historic building and its present-day representation together through two different forms of interpretation.
Ludzas LielÄ sinagoga was built in 1800 and is the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltic States. It was restored to its original appearance in 2016. As a branch of the Ludzas NovadpÄ“tniecÄ«bas muzejs, it includes a prayer room and modern exhibitions dedicated to documentary filmmaker Hercs Franks, his father Vulfs Franks, a photographer from Ludza, and the fates of Jewish families from Ludza.
The Ludzas NovadpÄ“tniecÄ«bas muzejs is housed in General Kuļņevs’s house. Its history exhibition covers the history of Ludza Municipality from the earliest times to the present day. Another exhibition focuses on birds and animals in four Latgale habitats: lake, forest, meadow and bog. At the cultural history centre “LÄ«Äu mÄjasâ€, archaeology is presented alongside the development of manor estates, the effects of railway construction and market traditions. The permanent exhibition also covers KÄrsava’s heyday before the Second World War.
Nature Conservation and Landscape
Grebļukalns is a Natura 2000 protected area in Pasienes Parish, Ludza Municipality. It protects rare pine forest habitats on eskers, as well as Pulsatilla patens, a plant protected under the EU Habitats Directive. The “Numernes valnis†Nature Park is also a Natura 2000 site. Its visitor facilities include an observation tower and a nature trail; it is also home to the “Uguns†environmental artwork by Didzis Jaunzems, a walking path, a rest area and chairs for stargazing. Check the current condition of the facilities before visiting.
Other lakes with islands lie around the nature park by Lake Istra, including Dziļezers, Audeļu ezers and Istras ezers. The natural monument “Rundēnu Valna dūbe†offers a different perspective on the landscape: it is a geological formation and the only site of its kind in the Baltic States. Ciblas Kapu kalns, meanwhile, is an archaeological monument of national importance and one of the highest and largest castle hills in Latgale.
Getting Around and Regional Experiences
Marked cycling route No. 776 passes through the “Numernes valnis†Nature Park. The Eversmuiža nature trail runs along the banks of the Ilža River; Eversmuiža Castle Fortress is nearby. These details let you choose between a cycling route, a nature trail and places with archaeological or cultural-historical connections, without presenting them as a single route. Check the current route markings before your bike ride.
The Ludzas Novadpētniecības muzejs offers guided tours of Ludza, the museum and its grounds for adult and children’s groups by prior arrangement and booking. At the Ludza Craftsmen Centre, visitors can make a useful item or a gift in hands-on workshops; advance booking may be required. At Latgaļu kukņa, courses on preparing traditional Latgalian dishes and exploring old recipes are available by arrangement. Group catering with Latgalian-style meals is also offered by prior arrangement. Organic Products invites visitors to sample spices, berry and vegetable powders, tea and freeze-dried fruit sweets.
Plan Your Journey
The RÄ«ga–Pļaviņas–VarakļÄni–ViļÄni–RÄ“zekne–Ludza–KÄrsava bus route connects Ludza with RÄ«ga via RÄ“zekne and also with KÄrsava. Check the timetable for your travel dates. This lets you plan your journey as a separate step while choosing culture, landscape or regional cuisine as the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Isnauda, Ludza, Nirza, KuÅ¡neri, TutÄni. Also discover: Priekuļu Municipality, SÄ“ja Municipality, Baltinava Municipality.
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