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r Latvian Ethnographic VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Open-Air Museum Practical Information
Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs Brīvības gatve 440. Tel 6799 4510.
Open 10am–5pm daily. & 8
Occupying 86 ha (213 acres) of woodland on the shores of 5 10am Sun. -
Lake Jugla, this site includes over 118 homesteads, churches, ∑ brivdabasmuzejs.lv
windmills and other structures from across Latvia. Founded Transport
in 1924, the museum is organized according to Latvia’s ethno- @ 1.
graphic regions – Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Zemgale and Latgale –
drawing attention to variations in building design and living
arrangements in different parts of the country. With craftspeople
working on-site during the summer, and many buildings
containing every day artifacts, the museum offers an insight
into 19th-century rural life and takes at least 2 hours to explore.

Vidzeme Spinning Dutch Windmill
Wheel-Maker’s Homestead The windmill (1890) is from
Latgale and can operate two
grindstones simultaneously.

. Kurzeme Peasants’
Homestead
This wooden building with a
reed-thatched roof is typical of
19th-century rural architecture
in southwest Kurzeme.

Zemgale Peasants’
Homestead
includes a dwelling-
house, a bath-house,
granaries and a
threshing barn.
Handicrafts
Handicraft displays
include tradi tional
wickerwork.

Kurzeme
Fishermen’s
Village
Entrance

. Usma Church
Most wooden
churches were Old Believers’ House
replaced by stone Located in a Latgale village, the
buildings in the 19th house exhibits a loom for
century, making this a weaving thread and a samo var
rare survivor. used to boil water for tea.

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