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Southern Latvia

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Entrance to historical museum of Rundale Palace

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Overview

A long snake-like strip of land between Rīga and the Lithuanian border, southern Latvia has been dubbed the 鈥榖read basket鈥� of Latvia for its plethora of arable lands and mythical forests. The region is known locally as Zemgale, named after the defiant Baltic Semigallian (or Zemgallian) tribe who inhabited the region before the German conquest at the end of the 1200s. The Semigallians were a valiant bunch, warding off the impending crusaders longer than any other tribe. Before retreating to Lithuania, they burned down all of their strongholds rather than surrendering them to the invaders.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Institute of Horticulture

    Institute of Horticulture

    Southern Latvia

    These massive gardens draw throngs of visitors each spring when the scores of fruit trees are in bloom. There are apricot, cherry and plum orchards, as鈥�

  • Rundale Palace is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia. www.rundale.net Beautiful roses and Baroque - Rococo style palace in background - stock photo

    Rund膩le Palace

    Southern Latvia

    Built as a grand residence for the Duke of Courland, this magnificent palace is a monument to 18th-century aristocratic ostentatiousness, and is rural鈥�

  • Bauska Castle

    Bauska Castle

    Southern Latvia

    Bauska Castle sits on a picturesque hillock squeezed between two rivers 鈥� the M奴sa and M膿mele 鈥� that flow parallel to each other. It is actually two鈥�

  • Kokenhausen

    Kokenhausen

    Southern Latvia

    Stop at Koknese to admire the ruins of Kokenhausen, a medieval castle. It has a stunning location overlooking the confluence of the Daugava and Perse鈥�

  • Garden of Destiny

    Garden of Destiny

    Southern Latvia

    Grandly named the Garden of Destiny, this sprawling project on an island in the river celebrates Latvia as a nation and opened for the centennial in 2018鈥�

  • Castle Ruins

    Castle Ruins

    Southern Latvia

    These impressive Livonian Order castle ruins, which date back to the 1300s, are well worth a stop. This brick bastion was built over the original site of鈥�

  • T膿rvete Nature Park

    T膿rvete Nature Park

    Southern Latvia

    T膿rvete Nature Park protects three ancient mounds, including the impressive T膿rvete Castle Mound, which was abandoned by the Semigallians after several鈥�

  • Tei膷i Nature Reserve Watchtower

    Tei膷i Nature Reserve Watchtower

    Southern Latvia

    Stop at this roadside watchtower for sweeping views of the 20,000-hectare Tei膷i Nature Reserve, which boasts the largest moss marsh in the Baltics. The鈥�

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