Travellers looking to combine natural and cultural heritage will find two clear focal points in Varakļāni Parish: protected moorlands and the history of Stirniene. The nature reserves represent different habitats and bird species; the historical themes range from a manor house and a church to a cultural route and memorial sites. When planning, it is particularly important to note that visits to the Teiči Nature Reserve are restricted to a limited period and require an accompanying guide. Plan any potential visit to this protected area around these conditions, and choose the cultural sights according to the topics that interest you.
Moorlands and their birdlife
Teiči Nature Reserve is Latvia’s largest nature reserve; the Teiči Moor is one of the largest undisturbed raised bogs in the Baltics. The reserve also extends into Varakļāni Parish. It protects rare bird species typical of moorlands and provides migratory waterbirds with feeding and resting grounds. Teiči also preserves plant species and habitats characteristic of wetlands.
Lielais Pelečāres Bog Nature Reserve also extends into Varakļāni Parish. It includes a raised bog bordered by forests. Various woodpecker species nest there. The two nature reserves offer different natural highlights: Teiči is associated, among other things, with rare moorland birds and migratory waterbirds, while the description of Lielais Pelečāres Bog highlights the raised bog and the woodpeckers along the forest edges.
Visits to Teiči Nature Reserve are subject to clear conditions: it may only be visited from 1 June to 31 October and only when accompanied by an employee of the Nature Conservation Agency. If you are planning a visit, check these conditions again before travelling. The visiting period is an important factor if Teiči is to be one of the main highlights of your stay.
Stirniene: manor house, churches and remembrance
The Historical Route to Stirniene explores the history of the Stirniene parish. The route provides information about nearby burial mounds, the cultural heritage left by the Borch family, school life in Stirniene and the history of the Catholic parish. It also covers the contribution of two figures from Latvia’s spiritual and cultural life. Stirniene Manor is one of the sights along the route.
The manor’s history spans two successive owners: it first belonged to the Borch family and later to the Lappo family. Alongside the route’s other themes, Stirniene therefore also represents a local history of landownership that can be traced through the families mentioned.
St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Stirniene was built of brick in 1907. It was constructed at a time when older wooden churches in Latgale were being replaced by brick churches. The church contains a memorial plaque to Bishop Boļeslavs Sloskāns (1893–1981). Part of Stirniene Church’s historic collection of liturgical vestments has also been preserved.
This should be distinguished from the earlier church in Stirniene: it was built between 1757 and 1767, later dismantled and moved to Rudzāti. The two churches therefore represent different chapters in the history of church construction. The history of construction in Stirniene also includes the former church, which was moved to Rudzāti; it should be distinguished from St. Lawrence Church, built in 1907.
Another memorial site is located in Stirniene railway station square. A memorial there commemorates people who were repressed between 1941 and 1949. Together with the memorial plaque in St. Lawrence Church, it adds a distinct theme of remembrance to the history of the buildings and the parish.
The choice of themes presents a clear contrast: in Teiči, habitats, birdlife and special visiting conditions define the natural attractions. In Stirniene, the focus is on local history, church architecture and remembrance. Before your trip, you can decide whether you would rather focus on the moorlands or the historical themes.
Discover more destinations: Groza, Murmastiene Parish, Varakļāni Town.
For the wider travel overview: Varakļāni Municipality.
