Varakļāni is best explored through its architectural and cultural history. The manor house, its park, religious buildings and a cemetery ensemble offer different ways to discover the history of the place. When deciding what to visit, you can therefore choose between architecture, religious heritage, commemorative sites and artistic activities.
Manor House, Park and Museum
The Varakļāni manor house was built for Count Michał Jan Borch between 1783 and 1789. The manor park was created in the late 18th century, alongside the construction of the building. The history of the house and the development of the park can thus be considered together chronologically, while keeping their distinct features in view.
A large stone known locally as the “Love Stone” stands in the park on the bank of the Kažava stream. Its name gives this particular landscape feature a distinctive place in the park’s history. A visit to the manor house and park can therefore bring together architectural history and a specific landmark by the stream.
The Varakļāni Local History Museum has a modernised permanent exhibition about the life and scientific work of M. Borch, as well as the history of Varakļāni and its region. These themes combine a biographical perspective with local and regional history. If you are interested in the background of the place, the museum offers a different approach from exploring its buildings and park.
Church Architecture and Memorial Sites
St. Victor’s Chapel is a state-protected architectural monument and was completed in 1814. Its crypt contains the graves of Count M. Borhs, his wife Eleonora, his eldest son Karols, Karols’s wife and their son Anatolijs. The building’s architectural history and the family graves represent two distinct aspects: the context of the building and the history of those buried there.
The Roman Catholic Church of Varakļāni houses relics of Saint Victor. The Evangelical Lutheran Church was built around 1879 and has seating for 300. Its fieldstone construction and red-brick surrounds on the doors and windows give the architecture a distinct, readily identifiable character. Compared with the chapel, other details stand out here: the approximate construction date, materials and seating capacity.
The tower of the Evangelical Lutheran Church also has a stated function: it serves as an observation tower. If you plan to visit it, check access in advance. This makes the viewpoint a possible consideration when planning, without assuming any specific opening hours or that access is currently available.
The Evangelical Lutheran cemetery ensemble includes a chapel, a bell gate, the burial site of participants in the 1920 Latgalian liberation battles, and the monument “Div’ bāliņi karā jāja”. The burial site and monument link the ensemble to the battles of 1920. In this way, it complements a visit to individual church buildings with a distinct memorial site.
Art Activities and Practical Information
The art experiment park in Varakļāni offers a range of master classes at the Varakļāni manor residence. These include sculpture, working with clay, wood carving, art, musical activities and graphics. These subjects add a practical, artistic dimension to a visit alongside the historic buildings. You can take them into account when deciding what you would like to make a particular focus of your stay.
The Varakļāni Tourist Information Centre offers excursions, guidebooks and souvenirs. These services complement the specific cultural and historical attractions with practical ways to find out more. Overall, Varakļāni offers a range of interests to choose from when planning your trip: the manor house and park, churches and memorial sites, and artistic master classes.
For the broader travel overview: Varakļānu pilsēta.
