ZemgaleCentral and smallest region of Latvia Birthplace of the Latvian presidents Janis Cakste, Gustavs Zemgals, Alberts Kviesis and Karlis Ulmanis [pic][zem1.jpg]Zemgale is the smallest of Latvia's regions and is blessed with a great number of distinctive castles and manor houses where you can see and touch history. The Bauska region in particular gives you an opportunity to travel along the path of history from the 9th century through the Medieval to the Baroque period. Bauska lies in the southeast section of Zemgale. This is where the Memele and Musa Rivers meet. On the hill between the two rivers stand the ruins of a Livonian Order Castle under restoration. During the third week of July, visitors can enjoy the Ancient Music Festival held at the castle. Another tourist attraction is Rundale Palace near Bauska. Designed in the 18th century by the world-famous architect Rastrelli, who was also the architect of St. Petersburg's Hermitage, Rundale Palace is an outstanding blend of Baroque architecture and Rococo decorative art. Not far from Bauska are three other palaces built after 1795 - Mezotne, Kaucminde and Bornsminde. [pic][zem2.jpg]In the city of Jelgava, which lies at the edge of the Zemgale flatlands on both banks of the Lielupe River, you will want to see the Jelgava Palace, the most spectacular Baroque palace in the Baltics. This Palace was built in 1738-1772 under the supervision of Rastrelli, in what at that time was the capital of the Courland Dukedom. Since 1939 the Latvian Agriculture University has been located in the Palace. Nearby you will find Academia Petrina, a rare example of late Baroque architecture of the 18th century, which today houses the Jelgava History and Art Museum. Many other castles and manor houses testify to the old-good Golden Age of Courland Dukedom. From many of the castle mounds you can see splendid views of a gently undulating countryside. You will also want to explore Tervete, a scenic forest park imbued with legends. Tervete is known as a nature park with the oldest and tallest pine trees in Latvia. Some are as much as 250 years old and as tall as 40 meters. A museum commemorating the famous Latvian writer, Anna Brigadere (1861-1933), is also located at Tervete. Place names in the park have been inspired by literature: the Park of Sunny Moods, the Forest of Elves and the Fairy-tale Forest. Magical sculpted images of characters and contemporaries of the writer inhabit the park making this a wonderful place to visit and photograph. 2004-09-15 |