Page 169 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

LA T VIA REGION B Y REGION  167

WESTERN LATVIA

Known for its dense forests and fertile plains, lively cities and
sleepy rural towns, Western Latvia enchants visitors with its
contrasts. The Kurzeme region is quiet and sparsely populated,
with the major exceptions of the busy ports of Ventspils and
Liepāja. Running along the Lithuanian border, the largely
agricultural Zemgale region is dotted with castles and manor
houses recalling past glories.

Prior to the arrival of the German crusaders, (r.1642–81). The Duchy was incorporated
the heavily forested western region now into the Russian Empire in 1795, and its
called Kurzeme was dominated by the fate was thereafter tied up with that of the
Kurši tribe, while the Livs inhabited its rest of what is now Latvia.
northern coast. The fertile and well- Today, most of Kurzeme retains its rural
drained terrain running along the Lielupe character, although the cities of Liepāja
river in the south was home to the and Ventspils are among the largest and
Zemgaļi; together with an eastern region most vibrant in the country. The few
formerly called Selonia, this area is now remaining speakers of the Liv language
known as Zemgale. The Kurzeme tribes continue their fishing traditions on the
were defeated in 1267 and just over two north ern coast. The area has several pictur-
decades later the same fate befell the esque small towns, including Kuldiga and
Zemgaļi – the last of the Latvian tribes Talsi. The Zemgale countryside consists
to surrender. mainly of flat farmland, with exceptions
When the Livonian Order collapsed in such as forest parks in the hills around
the 16th century its last master, Gotthard Tērvete. Jelgava’s Old Town was
Kettler, retained control of the entire devastated during World War II, although
region as a largely inde pendent fiefdom of the duke’s palace is still standing. The most
Poland. With Jelgava as its capital, the popular tourist attraction, however, is
Duchy of Courland and Semigallia reached Rundāle Palace with its Baroque exterior
its zenith under Duke Jakob Kettler and restored Rococo interior.

Bright yellow rape fields in full bloom, Kurzeme
Tree-lined approach to the splendid Rundāle Palace

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