General L. Bolstein Museum Museum

Located 17 km from Kandava in Pūcesdzirnavas, Matkule parish.

The memorial room of Latvian Army General Ludvigs Bolšteins has been created in the Pūces mill territory, in a rest house. The property was once leased by the Bolšteins family. Since the end of the 19th century, a sawmill, a grain mill, and sheep wool processing were operating here.

Ludvigs Bolšteins was one of the most experienced Latvian soldiers, who actively participated in the creation of the Latvian Riflemen units. He participated in the War of Independence and the creation of the Latvian state. At the beginning of World War II, Ludvigs Bolšteins was an example of demonstrating complete non-cooperation with the Soviet occupation regime. One of the two highest-ranking officers of the Latvian Army who committed suicide because he did not want to cooperate with the Soviet occupation authorities. A vivid source of history is the general's death letters, which allow us to better understand the personality and the situation in which the Latvian state was at the beginning of World War II. The letters read: "To our superiors. We, Latvians, built a new, stately building - our state. A foreign power wants to force us to demolish it ourselves. I cannot participate." In turn, the text of another letter was addressed to his mother: "Mother, forgive me, I could not do otherwise."

By registering in advance, you can visit the memorial room and see an exhibition dedicated to the general.