Page 185 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

WESTERN LA T VIA  183

Environs
The Riežupe Sand Caves
(Riežupes smilšu alas), 4 km
(2 miles) north of Kuldīga, form
the longest cave system in
Latvia. A quarter of the 2-km
(1-mile) site is open to visitors.
E Kuldīga District Museum
Pils iela 5. Tel 6332 2364.
Open 11am–5pm Tue–Sun. &

s Pāvilosta
Rows of crosses marking the graves of German soldiers, near Saldus
Road Map B4. * 3,000. n Dzintaru
p Saldus capitalize on the river and a land iela 2, 6349 8229. _ Sea Festival (Jul).
route linking Prussia with the Founded in 1879, the small port
Road Map C4. * 11,000. £
n Striķu iela 3, 6380 7443. lower Daugava Valley. town of Pāvilosta was named
In the 16th century, Kuldīga’s after Paul Lilienfeld, Governor of
Set amid scenic countryside, castle was one of the residen ces Kurzeme from 1868 to 1885.
close to Lake Ciecere, Saldus is of Duke Gothard Kettler and the Tourist activities in Pāvilosta
best known for the Janis town traded with Rīga and revolve around the sea,
Rozentāls Museum of Jelgava. The streets near the including yacht and canoe hire
History and Art (Jaņa attractive old Town hall and trips out in a fishing boat.
Rozentāla Saldus Vēstures Square, running The surrounding area is also a
un Mākslas Muzejs). alongside the popular spot for wind surfing
Rozentāls (see p155), who Alekšupīte river, and is home to the country’s
was born near Saldus, feature 17th- and first world-class yacht marina,
reconstruc ted the 18th-century Pāvilosta Marina.
building in 1900. The timber buildings. Also The Local History Museum
artist’s home till 1901, it here are a couple of (Pāvilostas novadpētniecības
is now a museum that attractive churches,
showcases his works. St Catherine’s (Sv muzejs), located in the town’s
Temporary art exhibi- Katrīnas baznīca) and oldest building, exhibits
tions are housed in the Holy Trinity (Sv everyday items from the region
an adjacent building. Trīsvienības Katoļu and displays about local history
Statue of Janis baznīca). A short walk (in Latvian only).
Environs Rozentāls, Saldus away is the Venta
Vācu Karavīru Kapi, Waterfall (Ventas  Pāvilosta Marina
7 km (4 miles) south of town, is rumba), the widest in Europe. Ostmalas iela 4. Tel 6349 8581.
a war cemetery where German Close by is a 164-m (538-ft) brick ∑ pavilostamarina.lv
sol diers who died in Latvia were bridge, one of Europe’s longest. E Local History Museum
re-buried in a single place. Overlooking the river is Kuldīga Dzintaru iela 1. Tel 6349 8276. Open
District Museum (Kuldīgas mid-May–mid-Sep: 11am–5pm Wed–
E Janis Rozentāls Museum of novada muzejs), best known for Fri, noon–4pm Sat & Sun; mid-Sep–
History and Art its collection of playing cards. mid-May: 9am–5pm Mon–Fri. &
Striķu iela 22. Tel 6388 1547.
Open 9am–5pm Tue–Fri, 10am–4pm
Sat & Sun. &

a Kuldīga
Road Map B3. * 14,000. @ n
Baznīcas iela 5, 6332 2259. _ Town
Festival (mid-Jul). ∑ visit.kuldiga.lv
With a well-preserved Old Town
and an attractive loca tion
alongside the Venta river,
Kuldīga is one of Latvia’s most
alluring provincial towns. It was
founded in 1242 by the Livonian
Order, who chose the site to Ferries anchored at the harbour in the port town of Pāvilosta

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