Along the battlefields of Kurzeme Pocket to Soviet Heritage adventure in Dundaga
Day 1.
155 km
Rīga–Lestene–Zante–Brocēni–Saldus
Practical info
- Driving distance: 155 km
- The Memorial Exposition and the Latvian Legion soldiers’ bunker are both open on working days from 08.00 – 16.00. On weekend visits upon advance booking +371 26247095. Lestene Brothers' Cemetery is open 24/7
- Visiting Lestene Lutheran Church upon prior arrangement only + 371 29299064
- Kurzeme Fortress Museum in Zante is open from May 1 – November 15. Guide services +371 29442311. A picnic site is available
- Check the boat “Zezer” public timetables and book the trip in advance. The trip takes ~ 1h 15 min
Sights
Kurzeme fortress museum in Zante
The museum exposition (the only museum dedicated to the Kurzeme fortress) tells richly and engagingly about the course of warfare in the Kurzeme fortress and the future fates of Latvian soldiers. On the other hand, in the open-air exhibition, you can walk around and see the restored wartime trenches, bunkers and heavy military equipment.
Working hours:
Monday - Tuesday - closed
Wednesday - Saturday - 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday - 10:00 - 15:00
It is advisable to contact in advance by phone 29442311.
Boat trip in Ciecere lake by the boat “Zezer”
During the ride with the recreational boat “Zezer” along Lake Ciecere near Brocēni you can listen to the audio guide and captain's stories about Lake Ciecere and the city of Brocēni on its shores, World War II events near Lake Ciecere, trenches on both sides of the lake and the Oak Island, as well as the tank route running along an observation tower and the tank that is said to be sunk in the lake. The audio guide is available in Latvian, Lithuanian, English, and Russian languages. The ride takes 1 hour 15 min.
Lestene Brothers' Cemetery, Memorial Exposition and bunker
Lestene Brothers’ Cemetery is located in Tukums municipality, Lestene, next to the Lestene church. The construction of the Brothers’ Cemetery in Lestene began in 1998. It is the second largest military cemetery in Latvia, and more than 1,300 Latvian legionnaires are buried here. Only after regaining the independence, it was possible to rebury Latvian soldiers who fell during World War II. The Latvian Legion was a combat unit of the German Army, formed mainly from illegally drafted Latvians. The soldiers thought of their presence in the legion as something that had to be done to be able to restore Latvia’s independence, despite the fact that they were in the ranks of the German armed forces and that Germany had occupied Latvia. Latvian legionnaires fought against the Red Army, which had destroyed Latvia's independence and its army and committed crimes against civilians. Between 110,000 and 115,000 soldiers fought in the ranks of the German Army and about 30,000–50,000 of them never left the battlefield. The Brothers’ Cemetery central theme ‘Motherland – Mother – Latvia’ was created by the sculptor Arta Dumpe. Across the road an exhibit dedicated to the history of the Latvian Legion has been created in a former pub. Right next to it the men of the Latvian Officers Association, under the leadership of Captain Jānis Slaidiņš, have built an underground bunker to show how soldiers and officers lived on the front lines.
Lestene Lutheran church
Nearly 300 year old Lestene church, there was one of the epicenters of the Battle of Kurzeme (1944–1945).
Places to eat
Jaunpils Castle restaurant in Jaunpils
Meals are served in the ancient dining room of the knights under the vaulted ceiling, with candlelight and medieval music. Use wooden spoons or your hands to enjoy the same kind of feast that was enjoyed in the past by barons, monks and servants.
Latvian cuisine: Lentil soup with meatballs, beer soup, apple soup with raisins, peas with hemp, potted sautéed meat with caraway seeds, chanterelles in cream sauce, hunter’s sausage with cabbage, roast loin of pork, blood sausage, roast leg of duck with lingonberry sauce, stream trout, homemade cottage cheese with strawberries, plum dessert with whipped cream.
Special foods: “Castle Walls with Guards”: Beer-roasted pork ribs with sauerkraut.
Pub “4 Vēji” near Lestene
The saloon is on the Rīga-Liepāja highway (A9) at the 72nd km road marker. Live music evenings are organised.
Latvian cuisine: Vidzeme salad, herring with cottage cheese and soured cream, grey peas with bacon, sautéed cabbage with sausages, cabbage rolls, potato pancakes, bread soup, stacked rye bread.
Special foods: “4 vēji” – pork with sauerkraut and potatoes on a hot pan.
Pub “Aitiņlauvas”, the 22nd km on A9 road
The saloon is on the edge of the Rīga-Liepāja highway (A9) at the 22 km road marker. Most of the dishes are based on ingredients from the forest. The interior design is based on hunting, and there is a paddock of wild deer alongside the restaurant.
Latvian cuisine: Roast buck, roast wild boar, venison steak, roast lamb, stuffed river trout.
Places to stay
Hotel “Demians” in Saldus
A small hotel in the center of Saldus. Each room has a private bathroom. The hotel has a restaurant, where the chef offers both Latvian and international cuisine. Rooms have a minibar, TV and free Wi-Fi. Free parking is available.
Guesthouse “Radi” near Brocēni village
Smuku Manor near Remte village
Camping “Zvejnieki” near Brocēni village
On the shore of Lake Ciecere, a house with a fireplace hall and a sauna for parties and seminars for up to 30 people. We offer 4 heated cottages, which allow you to live at any time of the year - both in summer and in winter. Good place for fishing, boat trips, catamaran. Organizes yoga camps, sports festivals, children's camps and various celebrations. There are sports fields for football, basketball, volleyball. Excursions around the lake and the island. There are also tent sites and camper places.