Balvi – Vilaka – Karsava – Ludza – Rezekne – Vilani

The North Latgale invites you to enjoy its cultural – historical heritage and nature landscapes. Beauty is in every building, in every drop of lake water and in people smiles.
Length of route in Latgale: ~190 km
Duration of route: 2-3 days

Balvi –   it is an original beautiful and green provincial town in the Northeast of Latvia. Unique image of town is because of three lakes, stately one-time castle building and park, also Bear garden, where boulders of Latvia speak to us with their primeval loftiness. Balvi region museum, Balvi Evangelical Lutheran and Rome Catholic Churches (+371 64521430);

Forest exposition of Anna Aze in Ziguri – observations related with forest and animals, hunting traditions, ancient and nowadays tools of forest-guards and foresters. Ramble in nature in accompaniment of environment guide.

Vilaka (Marienhauzena) manor – Count Zabello possessed a manor that was the 3^rd biggest manor in Latvia in the end of 19^th century. There was built Vilaka State Gymnasium on manor’s fundamentals, near it, on the other side of    cross-street – economical building of manor; Vilaka Lake with island, here are located Middle Age castle ruins; Vilaka Rome Catholic Church – church built in Neogothic taste and it is a main dominant of Vilaka landscape;

Capuchin order cloister building    - built in period from 1936 till 1940, 3-floor brick wall building with chapel;

Recreation and training paths in country park “Balkanu kalni”, museum - three paths ends at "sunken church".

Upite cultural history museum – Region history, ancient tools, musical instruments. Eminent persons of Latvia Northeast border region;

Baltinava village – it’s a local history museum (Region history, craft and ethnography), Baltinava catholic church, Baltinava orthodox church, in Baltinava manor’s park there is partly retained sundial made in the 19^th century (tree plantation in certain round) and lime-tree alley;

Karsava orthodox church – gorgeous wooden building with wide garden;

Malnava manor complex is included in list of Europe culture heritage objects – one of the largest and most beautiful manors in Ludza district, built in first part of 19^th century. Malnava Catholic Church – wooden church, built in 1741, near is located new, beautiful church;

Salnava manor built in second part of the 18^th century in classicism style. In Salnava Manor Park you can see plantation of rare trees and alleys. There is Love stone in park centre – great stone with plane surface, also here is pictorial pond with two little islands;

Country path „Salnava in time bends”;

Ruskulova manor – possessed to Count Tolstoy, later to baron Levenstein, after then to mother of Russian tsar Nicolas II. With the lapse of time manor buildings was ruined, but park around manor retained, here are old windmill ruins.

Pusmucova Blessed Mary Annunciatio   Rome Catholic Church is typical Latgale country brick wall church of 19^th century. The church with two bell towers is an original cultural and religion centre;

Ludza – ancient provincial town of Latgale with narrow streets and with wood houses, that is characteristic only for Latgale, with impressive castle ruins of Livonia order in the coast of lake, with many ancient Latgalians castle mounds and settlement places, ethnographical Latgalians farmsteads in Ludza museum exposition un church towers of various creeds; Ludza Livonia order’s middle age castle ruins on castle mound (1399) – in the centre of old town in a frame of Talavijas and Baznicas streets, tel.+371 5707203    Ludza historical centre with wood structure – town building architecture monument, excursion can be applied in TIC, phone: +371 5707203; Ludza local history museum – in a General’s Kulnevs patrimonial house is made museum with outdoor section, phone: +371 5723931; Ludza Crafters centre – craft salon-shop, exhibition hall, possibility to do activities by yourself. Phone: +371 29467925; +371 29123749; Ludza Orthodox Church – phone: +371 5781397; Ludza Rome Catholic Church – phone: +371 5725653;

Rezekne – Rezekne is placed on seven hills, symbol of it – Latgale nationalist monument "United for Latvia", in demos so called Latgales Mara. Rezekne is called as heart of Latgale, because it is placed in a middle of region territory;

Latgale Cultural – Historical museum- basic expositions – Rezekne at the turn of an epoch, clerks living room in the beginning of 20^th century, video, in constant expositions " Rezekne at the turn of an epoch " rooms is placed a stand and information with world-famous Latvian film director’s Teuvo Tulio and his mother’s, Latvian ballerina’s H.E. Rönnqvist relics. (T.646 22464);

In Rezekne art high school’s art house restored rooms are placed collections of paintings from Latgale Cultural-Historical museum funds. (T.646 24341);

Rezekne Trinity Lutheran Church – built in 1938. Here you can see altar painting „Christ rescues drowning persons” made by A.Egle. There is a possibility to observe a panorama of Rezekne from church tower. (T.646 22917);

Rezekne St. Nicolas old-believers parish church is proud because of the biggest bell in Baltic. Also you can see icon, made in the end of 16^th century, „About You I rejoice” (T.646 25471);

Rezekne Blessed Our Lady’s Birth orthodox church- state importance cultural monument. There you can see many icons and collection of art objects. Building of the oldest Rezekne town’s church started in 1840. In the church you can see three-level iconostasis. Near the church is placed a charnel-house of St. A.Nevskis, built in 1867.(T.64622429);

Rezekne Sorrow Our Lady’s Rome Catholic Church- building of church ended in 1936. The Church is devoted to Sorrow Our Lady (central altar). Here you can see altarpieces of the beginning of 20^th century, in the church garden – Fatima’s Our Lady statue. (T. 64623500);

Blessed Jesus Heart cathedral – the biggest church in Rezekne. Since 1995 serves as Rezekne - Aglonas diocese centre with bishop’s seat. (T.64624522);

Farm „Untumi” not so far from Rezekne, offers to enjoy countryside resting and to ride horses. Here is the only possibility in Baltic to observe the life of storks using optical devices. Many newly-wed comes to „Untumi” in their wedding day’s trip to go for a ride in cart and to diversify this celebratory day with various activities. (www.untumi.lv T. 26337449);

„Kolnasata” – memorial museum of Francis Trasuns. In Sakstagals you can see   exposition about F.Trasuns, writer J.Klidzejs and collection of ancient household objects, but if you will apply previously - show “Wedding in Latgale”, also involving visitors. There are regular thematic exhibitions in the big exhibition hall. (T.646 40575);

In Vilani local history museum you can get acquainted with a region history and culture from the most ancient times till nowadays. (T.646 62250);

St. Archangel Michael’s Rome Catholic Church – brick building in the Baroque taste with two towers. (T.646 62413);

Lejas dzirnavas (Vale mill) not so far from Varaklani castle, built by Count Borhs in the end of 18^th century. Here is mill’s equipment in mill’s three floors. You can see how floured in last centuries. (T.646 00320);

Nearest lodging:

Balvi district
    Hotel Balvi, +371 64522307
    Holiday house Ievinas , +371 29100644, +371 26368502
    Guest house Rukisi, +371 29123530,+371 29431926
    Guest house Vizbules, +371 29118111
    Guest house Zivsalas, +371 22330887
    Guest house Starki, +371 29116971, +371 29183299

Ludza district
    Hotel „Apsisu smaids”, +371 5752582
    Recreation centre „Cirmas ezerkrasts”, +371 28332523, www.cirmasezerkrasts.lv   
    Guest house „Akmeni”, +371 26454793, www.akmeni.lv
    Hotel „Ludza”, +371 26342090
   Recreation centre „Dzerkali”, +371 26324735, www.dzerkali.lv

Rezekne district
    Hotel „Latgale”, Rezekne 371 646 22180, www.hotellatgale.lv
    Kolonna Hotel Rezekne, Rezekne +371 646 07820, www.kolonnahotels.com
    „Pie Kaupra”, Jaunvilani, Vilani rural municipality +371 646 62314, +371 29440780
    „Lacu leja”, Jaunvilani, Vilani rural municipality    +371 26117460
    Social help centre “Ceriba” d/v, Celtnieku street 7, Vilani +371 646 60237
    „Laimas nams”, Lazdenieki, Deksari rural district +371 29345326