Border towns of two countries - Valka and Valga
The route “Border Towns of Two Countries – Valka and Valga” introduces the most significant historical evidence of the 20th century on the border of Latvia and Estonia. During the tour, participants learn about the First World War, the Latvian independence struggle, the Second World War and the period of Soviet occupation, visiting such objects as the exhibition “Valka – the Cradle of Latvian Independence”, the Valka underground bunkers and the Valga railway station.
The next stop is Valga, where you can visit the Freedom Struggle Monument and the Valga Military Museum – a theme park with interactive activities and military equipment exhibits. The approximately 5 km long route provides an opportunity to understand the common historical development of the two cities and the importance of border towns in the history of the Baltic States.
What the tour includes
On this excursion, students will be able to explore the most significant 20th-century historical sites in and around Valka, where the story of the birth of Latvia's independence, the legacy of World War II, and the reality of the Soviet occupation are intertwined. They will visit the exhibition "Valka - the Cradle of Latvian Independence", where they will learn about the significance of Jānis Cimze's teacher seminar and the role of Valka in the formation of Latvian statehood, as well as see how this place later became a center for local history.
Of interest are the bunkers in the center of Valka, where evidence of Cold War infrastructure has been preserved, including the former strategic missile communications center, which was on combat alert during the Caribbean crisis. At Valga Railway Station, they will get to know the Stalinist architecture and its historical context, and at the military museum - theme park, they will be able to see equipment, walk along the defense lines and even participate in interactive activities that allow you to feel the atmosphere of everyday military life.