Evidence of the World War I and Christmas Battles in Rīga region

Cafe Dakota is located in Ogre municipality, Ciemupe, on the A6 highway. The exhibit on military heritage allows its owner to combine his hobby and interest in military history with his business of running a cafe. Here you can enjoy a meal and see military equipment, weapons, soldier equipment and aircraft from the end of the 20th century. The exhibit is available to cafe visitors during working hours. Tours are available only in Russian and prior registration is required.

The Cultural Heritage Centre ‘Tīnūži Manor’ is located in Ogre municipality, Tīnūži village, 7 km from the cities of Ogre and Ikšķile. The first written evidence about the manor dates back to the 16th century. Until the mid-18th century it was considered an economic production unit with small and insignificant buildings. But over time it grew into a large farm. During World War I, battles between the Russian and German armies took place here, and the Latvian Riflemen were also involved. During the War of Independence Tīnūži manor was used as the headquarters and armoured car park of the 1st Valmiera Infantry Regiment of the Latvian Army. In 1932, the manor was given to the Union of the Latvian War Invalids, which provided accommodation and care for war veterans. During World War II (in 1943) the German Army unit FAT 212 was transferred from Estonia to Tīnūži manor. It was a saboteur unit that prepared soldiers to fight the Red Army. Latvian soldiers were also trained in the arts of intelligence gathering, guerrilla warfare tactics and sabotage. The lord house of Tīnūži manor was destroyed when the Red Army was moving towards Riga. Nowadays it is a place with a beautiful landscape and historical buildings on the banks of the Little Jugla River. Exhibits dedicated to historical events, including the ones concerning the Latvian Riflemen, can be seen at the Cultural Heritage Centre ‘Tīnūži manor’.

The exhibit in the Olaine History and Art Museum is about the period of Soviet occupation in Olaine. A World War I exploration route with restored elements of the fortifications has been created in the territory of the museum. On the site, where the World War I Russian Army defence line once was, a Russian soldier-type dugout has been built and a fragment of a shooting tower can be viewed by visitors. A World War I reinforced concrete fortification can be seen in Jaunolaine, at the intersection to Plakanciems. During World War I, active battles were fought between the Russian and German armies in this area. Latvian Riflemen units were involved in intelligence and various other operations. Marshy lands made it difficult to defend, but this was a very important area in Latvian military history. Olaine was formed due to the convenient location between Jelgava and Riga, where Jaunolaine is currently located. The Olaine manor was nearby. The modern day Olaine was built during the Soviet occupation, when industrial companies began their operations there.

The Christmas Battle Memorial Park and Museum is located in Jelgava municipality, Valgunde parish, in the Mangaļi homestead. This museum is a branch of the Latvian War Museum. It was opened in 2005 and is located in the area where Christmas Battles took place. Unique World War I fortifications still remain in locations where battles took place. The indoor exhibit contains objects found in the battlefield. The open-air exposition has reconstructed fortifications. There are tourist routes and informative trails in the vicinity of the museum. The open-air exposition of World War I fortifications and indoor exhibits are available to visitors every day. Unique evidence of World War I fortifications can still be found in the vicinity of Ložmetējkalns. There is a 27 m tall observation tower that provides a panoramic view of the area where the Christmas Battle took place. The Christmas Battle is probably the best known and most dramatic event of World War I in Latvia. It has a special place in Latvia’s military and cultural history. This engagement is mainly associated with the attack of Latvian Riflemen on the German Army units in extremely harsh and unfavourable conditions. And it was also a unique situation where a large-scale combat operation was started without artillery support.

Tīreļi Distillery is a small, private farm and strong alcoholic drink brewery near the Christmas Battle Museum and Tīreļi swamp at the Kalnciems bridge over Lielupe. It also offers horseback rides to places significant to World War I. Horseback rides take place on the route Jaunmārupe-Tīreļi and Tīreļi-Jaunbērze. During this ride you'll get the chance to see the surroundings, memorial sites, trenches, Ložmetējkalns and other historical places. Horses are of the same breed that was used during World War I. You can also take a tour of the brewery and see the farm animals. Places for rest, picnics and camping are also available.

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.

Lāči brand bread is popular in Latvia and abroad, because the bakery uses ancient mastery and skills. Baking traditions are supervised by 2 master bakers and 4 journeymen. You can take a tour of the bakery, knead and bake your own little loaf of bread, have lunch at a cosy saloon and purchase the bakery’s products. Lāči uses its own ingredients for its dishes, combining them with seasonal products from local farms. The bakery shop offers a wide range of products from bread to confectionery.

Latvian cuisine: Cream of mushroom soup, various hot potted dishes, bread soup, baker’s dessert.

The saloon is on the edge of the Rīga-Liepāja highway (A9) at the Eglieni leisure complex, which merges the Latvian environment with the modern environment. Herbs come from the complex’s own garden.

Latvian cuisine: Cold beet soup, herring with cottage cheese and soured cream, grit sausage with cottage cheese balls, stacked rye bread, cottage cheese dessert with compote, country teas, kvass.

Special foods: Mushroom soup and filet of chicken stuffed with mushrooms.

Guest-house for vacationers and celebrants. 7 well equipped bedrooms, room for seminars, tent and trailer sites. Fishing and swimming in the pond. Sauna.

The estate in Milzkalne that is along the banks of the Slocene River dates back to the 15th century, when it was built as a closed complex for the Livonian Order.  It is the only fortified estate of its type to have survived to the present day, and it was once used as a hiding place for aristocrats during an attack.  The gate towers with their ornate weather vanes were built in the late 17th century, and the ancillary buildings date back to the 18th and 19th century.  A brick wall with firing apertures survives.  The Latvian Road Museum is in one of the wings of the complex, while the former mansion offers accommodations, tours and tastings of local goodies.