Nuo Kuržemės katilo mūšio iki sovietinio paveldo nuotykių Dundagoje

Located in Tukums region, Lestene, next to the church.

The construction of the Brothers' Cemetery in Lestene began in 1998. It is the second largest cemetery of soldiers in Latvia, where more than 1,300 Latvian legionnaires are buried together. Only after the restoration of the Republic of Latvia was it possible to bury Latvian soldiers who died in World War II from various places.

The Latvian Legion was a combat unit of the German army, formed mainly from illegally mobilized Latvians. The soldiers perceived their presence in the legion as a struggle for the restoration of Latvia's independence, despite the fact that it took place in the ranks of the German armed forces and that Germany had occupied Latvia. There was no other military force that could delay the return of the Soviet occupation. Latvian legionnaires fought against the Red Army, which had abolished Latvia's independence, destroyed its army and committed crimes against civilians. Between 110,000 and 115,000 soldiers fought in the ranks of the German army, and between 30,000 and 50,000 of them left their lives on the battlefield.

Today in Lestene you can see the Brethren's Cemetery, next to which is Lestene Church. It is an outstanding example of baroque sacred art. In the old church pub you can get acquainted with the exposition dedicated to the history of the Latvian Legion. The central image of the Brothers' Cemetery "Motherland - Mother - Latvia" was created by the sculptor Arta Dumpe. Nearby is Lestene Manor, which belonged to the Latvian Army General Mārtiņš Hartmanis before the Second World War.

Excursions to Lestene Church can be booked at the head of the parish of Lestene Evangelical Lutheran Church Inguna Kokina, phone +371 29993743.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.