Today, Lithuania marks January 13, known as the Day of the Defenders of Freedom. On this day in 1991, unarmed civilians stood together to protect the country’s newly restored independence against Soviet military aggression. Despite tanks, gunfire, and brutal force, the people of Lithuania showed extraordinary courage and unity. Fourteen civilians lost their lives and hundreds were injured during the night of January 13. Their sacrifice became a turning point in Lithuania’s struggle to secure its freedom and inspired democratic movements across the region. This date is a reminder of the power of civic resistance, the importance of preserving historical memory, and the human stories behind the sites we visit today. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #Latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism

🔥 Atmiņu ugunskurs Barikāžu aizstāvju atceres pasākums 20. janvārī plkst. 16.00 aicinām sasildīties pie atmiņu ugunskura Kārsavas kultūrvēstures centrs "Līču mājas" pagalmā. Ar dziesmām un stāstiem pieminēsim Barikāžu laika notikumus un to dalībniekus. Tiksimies, lai kopā sasildītu atmiņas, godinātu drosmi un vienotību!

On the military heritage tourism site, you can explore videos and reels showcasing a variety of fascinating sites and objects. The link to the videos can be found in the first comment.

Privātekspocīzija Abrenes Istabas 2025. gadā saņēma "Latgales Tūrisma gada balvu" kā "Labākais privātais tūrisma objekts" 👏 Ekspozīcijas saimnieka Dzintara Dvinska stāstījums ir patiesi aizraujošs, te var uzzināt par Latgales Nacionālo partizānu kustību, "čekas" represijām, apskatīt dažāda veida kartes, iepazīt tirgošanās pasauli un arī vērtīgās sarunās nobaudīt kādu kafijas tasi 😎 Balvu novada Tūrisma informācijas centrs | Latgales Tūrisma asociācija

Nākamo sestdien - 2026. gada 17. janvārī, turpinot godināt pulkveža Oskara Kalpaka dzimšanas mēnesi, O. Kalpaka muzejs un piemiņas vieta “Airītes” aicina uz vēsturiski izglītojošu pasākumu “Kalpaka kvests: Brīvības pēdas Kurzemē”! Pasākuma dalībniekiem būs iespēja pārbaudīt savas zināšanās par Latvijas Neatkarības karu, pulkvedi O.Kalpaku un Saldus novada militāro mantojumu. Var ņemt līdzi ģimeni un draugus un pavadīt dienu vēsturiskā gaisotnē un noskaidrot, kam ir asākais prāts! Par izzinošiem uzdevumiem un siltu tēju rūpēsies pasākuma organizatori. Savu komandu var pieteikt (līdz 4 cilvēkiem), rakstot airites@karamuzejs.lv vai zvanot – 22017465.☎️ Tiekamies O. Kalpaka muzeja jaunajā Saieta namā! Avots: O.Kalpaka muzejs un piemiņas vieta "Airītes"

Pasākums, kuru ir vērts apmeklēt: Ziemassvētku kauju atceres pasākumi 2026. 10. janvārī, Ziemassvētku kauju muzejā, Mangaļos! 11: 00 - 16: 00 Ekskursijas jaunajā brīvdabas ekpozīcijā. Izzinošas aktivitātes muzejā: izlūkspēle "Kauju vietu noslēpumi", orientēšanās spēle: "Ko domā seržants"? Pēc strēlnieku receptes gatavota tēja. 12: 00 - 16: 00 Latvijas armijas bruņojuma un ekipējuma izstāde 16:00 Lāpu gājiens uz Ložmetējkalnu 17: 30 Svinīgais brīdis Ložmetējkalnā Event worth attending: Commemoration of the Christmas Battles 2026 on January 10 at the Christmas Battles Museum in Mangaļi (Latvia, near Riga)! 11:00 – 16:00 Guided tours of the new open-air exhibition. Educational activities at the museum: reconnaissance game "Secrets of the Battlefields", orienteering game "What’s the Sergeant Thinking?", and tea prepared according to a rifleman’s recipe. 12:00 – 16:00 Exhibition of Latvian Army weapons and equipment. 16:00 Torchlight procession to Ložmetējkalns. 17:30 Commemorative ceremony at Ložmetējkalns. Foto: Juris Smaļinskis, afiša: Ziemassvētku kauju muzejs Ziemassvētku kauju muzejs / Christmas Battle Museum Latvijas Kara muzejs/Latvian War Museum

🎄✨ Exciting updates at the Christmas Battles Memorial Museum! Since the end of last year, the museum has undergone major changes – visitors can now explore the reconstructed German trench and other improvements in the open-air exhibition. The site preserves unique World War I field fortifications connected to the legendary Christmas Battles. In the open-air exhibition, an authentic section of the fortification system has been reconstructed – a blindage and part of the German first-line defenses, the “German rampart”, which is the only object of its kind in the Baltics. Inside the museum, you can visit the exhibition “Latvian Riflemen in the Christmas Battles”, featuring over 200 photographs, battle maps, and artifacts found around the Tīreļpurvs area, offering fascinating insights into the events of that time. You can also see the largest battlefield model in Latvia, showing several square kilometers of the Christmas Battles area with World War I fortifications. 🪖 Step into history and experience the legendary battles firsthand! Photo gallery: Juris Smaļinskis

Today, 106 years ago the guns fell silent in Estonian Independence War.

📌 Thematic Exhibition at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia BEHIND BARBED WIRE The aftermath of World War II: Latvian Legionnaires as prisoners of war in Latvia, Europe, and the Soviet Union. 🗓 December 19, 2025 – March 18, 2026 The exhibition can be viewed as part of the Museum’s permanent exhibition. A powerful and thought-provoking look at history. Highly recommended to visit. Latvijas Okupācijas muzejs/Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

It is believed that this place in the Tome forests (Latvia, Ogre Municipality) was used by the German army as a shooting range for training purposes during World War I (from the German schießen – “to shoot”; see the 1914–1919 map fragment). The site is located about an hour’s walk from the Ķegums–Jaunjelgava road. It is a remote area, rarely visited. Occasionally, wolf tracks can be found here. Map fragments used: LGIA LiDAR map and the 1914–1919 topographic map.

The past year has been amazing – thank you to everyone who was with us! Here’s to even more expeditions, research, and discoveries in the year ahead! 📍 In the photo: World War I frontline site on the banks of the Daugava River, Latvia (Photo: Juris Smaļinskis). 31.12.2025.

📍 Latvian Republic (1918–1940) Treasure House – Rēzekne, next to the castle ruins, Latvia Discover the story of Latvia’s first independence through hundreds of unique historical artifacts from 1918 to 1940 – military and civilian awards, organizational insignia, and more. The second floor hosts rotating exhibitions with new surprises every year. Until November 2026, you can visit the exhibition "Made in Latvia". Scan the QR code or use IziTravel to listen to the audio guide about the treasures of the museum in Latvian and English. Latgale.Travel Brīvvalsts dārgumu nams Visit Rēzekne

🚂🎥 Viesīte Museum “Sēlija” – the story of the Little Narrow-Gauge Railway 🧩Located in Viesīte (Zemgale region, Latvia), the “Sēlija” Museum offers an engaging journey into the cultural history of Sēlija and its railway heritage. The museum consists of several exhibitions, the most recognizable of which is the Little Narrow-Gauge Railway Park, created in the former Viesīte depot area. 🚆 The narrow-gauge railway was built by German forces in 1915–1916 for transporting military cargo and was later adapted for passenger traffic. The museum features a steam locomotive built in 1918, historic railway carriages, a handcar (draisine), and an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Sēlija narrow-gauge railway. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Little Narrow-Gauge Railway Park is especially popular with families and children. Nearby, in the historic Viesīte station square, visitors can see the only preserved narrow-gauge railway section in Latvia with a historic water pump. ▶️ Watch the video and discover the railway story of Sēlija! 🔗More about the Museum: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/910?lang=en Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism --- ℹ️ The video was created within the project LL-00052 #MilitaryHeritageII, implemented with financial support from the European Union’s Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027. More about the project: https://ej.uz/MilitaryHeritageII

📍 One of the best-hidden museums in Riga 📌 Ķīpsala, Mazā Balasta dambis, Riga, Latvia The Žanis Lipke Memorial stands on the very site where, during World War II, an underground shelter was built to save lives. Here, Žanis Lipke and his family rescued around 55 Jews. The “Black Shed” is a powerful symbol of refuge, inspired by old fishermen’s sheds of Ķīpsala and the image of Noah’s Ark. It tells a story of courage, trust, and the human longing for freedom. The walk to the memorial through historic Pārdaugava is part of the experience itself. If you haven’t been here yet — this is a place worth discovering. The museum can be explored with the help of an audio guide. The memorial is accessible for wheelchair users.

Some places teach history not through textbooks, but through the landscape itself. 🌄 Vaivara Sinimägede Muuseum is a gateway to understanding World War II in Estonia, offering a meaningful and accessible way to explore the events of 1944. Located in the restored barn of Vaivara Manor, the museum connects personal stories, historical context and the surrounding terrain into one coherent learning experience. 📖 Here, learning continues beyond the exhibition walls. Visitors can step onto the historic defensive lines of Sinimäed and better understand how geography shaped military decisions and human destinies. The museum is well suited for all ages — while adults reflect on history, younger visitors engage with it through interaction. Educational programmes make it an especially valuable destination for school groups and young people, supporting learning through place and discussion. 👩‍🏫 💭Come and discover the stories behind Sinimäed! 📍 Roheline 19D, Sinimäe, Ida-Viru County, Estonia 🌐 sinimagedemuuseum.ee

How did people live on the Estonian island Saaremaa after World War II? 🤔 Turn history into a meaningful learning experience for your students at Kuressaare Castle, one of the most authentic fortresses in Northern Europe and home to Saaremaa Museum. 🏰 Set within a historic military stronghold by the sea, this educational programme invites students to explore everyday life during the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic and reflect on choices and challenges across generations. The lesson encourages discussion, comparison, and critical thinking — all in an inspiring historical setting. 💭 Educational programme for school groups: 📜Programme: Life on Saaremaa after World War II 👥Target group: Grades 7–12 🕡Duration: 90 minutes 💵Price: 4 € per student 📍Location: Kuressaare Castle, Lossihoov 1, Saaremaa 🏰 The castle itself is a powerful learning tool — a living example of the development of military fortifications from the 14th to the 19th century, offering valuable context for understanding Europe’s military history. Discover the educational programmes at Kuressaare Castle: 🔗 www.linnus.samu.ee/haridusprogrammid 📧 linnus@samu.ee 📸Photo: Valmar Voolaid Saaremaa Muuseum

🚗🎥 Historic Vehicle Collection at the “Miķelis” Recreation Complex In Bauska Municipality, Gailīši Parish, on the banks of the Mūsa River, the Miķelis Recreation Complex offers the opportunity to explore an impressive collection of historic vehicles – more than 100 technical units from different eras. 🚘 The collection includes passenger cars, trucks, fire engines, motorcycles, agricultural machinery, as well as military vehicles from the Second World War, featuring legendary models from Latvia, Germany, the USSR, and the USA. 👉 Learn more about this site: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/en/military/sites/view/967?lang=en Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism --- ℹ️ The video was created within the project LL-00052 #MilitaryHeritageII, implemented with financial support from the European Union’s Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027. More about the project: https://ej.uz/MilitaryHeritageII

Our journey through Lithuania’s military heritage continues! This time – we’re heading to Klaipėda, where we find present two objects: 🚢 Mine countermeasures ship-museum M52 "Sūduvis, offering a rare chance to step aboard a real naval vessel and explore the everyday life, duties, and challenges of military sailors up close. 🏰 The “Museum 39/45” exhibition at the Klaipėda Castle Museum, revealing the city’s complex past during the Second World War and the dramatic events that shaped its identity. Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #Latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism

👁🎥 Continue discovering the stories of Zemgale’s military heritage! 🇱🇻 Īle Partisan Bunker – a silent witness to history 🌲🌲 The restored partisan bunker in the Īle forests is more than just a sightseeing site – it is a memorial to Latvian national partisans and an opportunity to explore one of the most tragic chapters of our history. 🧱 In 1948, the largest partisan bunker in the Baltic States was built here, where joint Latvian–Lithuanian partisan groups continued their fight against Soviet rule. On 17 March 1949, the bunker became the site of an unequal and final battle – 24 partisans stood against 760 soldiers of the Soviet State Security (Cheka). 🔹 Today, the bunker has been restored to look exactly as it did before its destruction – with a stove, a table, and narrow bunks where the partisans once slept. An information board near the bunker helps visitors understand the events and their significance. 🕯️ By visiting this site, we honour courage, the price of freedom, and remember those who did not surrender. 🔗 Learn more: https://militaryheritagetourism.info/lv/military/sites/view/59 Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism --- ℹ️ The video was created within the project LL-00052 #MilitaryHeritageII, implemented with financial support from the European Union’s Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027. More about the project: https://ej.uz/MilitaryHeritageII

🚨 Our journey through Lithuania’s military heritage continues! This time – the Atomic KGB Bunker in Kaunas, a unique underground site that preserves a remarkable collection and offers an unforgettable interactive experience: ➡️ a tunnel like an escape room, where you must find your way through complete darkness, ➡️ a working electric chair, ➡️ the chance to hold authentic weapons, ➡️ an extensive gas mask collection – including masks for children and even animals, ➡️ and much more! 🎥 Watch this short video and discover what secrets lie beneath Kaunas. #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme

🇱🇹Our journey through Lithuania’s military heritage continues – this time, we invite you to visit the IX Fort Museum in Kaunas. This historic site is a place of remembrance and reflection, where layers of Lithuania’s past come together: ✦ A part of the Kaunas Fortress, built at the end of the 19th century ✦ A place of suffering during Soviet repressions and Nazi occupation ✦ A memorial to Holocaust victims and those who fought for freedom The IX Fort stands today as a museum and a powerful symbol, reminding us of resilience, tragedy, and the enduring spirit of remembrance. Kauno IX forto muziejus Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism

Did you know that on 1st of December 1924, Estonia survived a communist coup d'état attempt? 🧐 After gaining independence in 1918 and signing the Treaty of Tartu with the Soviet Union in 1920, just a few years later Estonia had to face the Soviet Union's attempt to overthrow the country's government. The communists made their move in Tallinn on the 1st of December around 5 AM. They attacked the Estonian National Defence College, Toompea Castle, the apartment of the State Elder Friedrich Akel, a military airfield, the main narrow gauge railway station and the main Post Office. There were 279 people participating in the revolt. 👥 The coup d'état failed and the government forces had the situation under control by 10 AM. This shows that communist revolutionary conditions had not developed in Estonia and people were proud of their independence. The successful suppression of the attempt increased Estonians' self-confidence. 🇪🇪 🎬The planning and events of this day are depicted in the Estonian drama film "December Heat". 📸Photo: Opening of the monument to the cadets who were killed during the attempted coup d’état at the Estonian National Defence College ℹSource: Karl Hugo / Estonian History Museum / Wikimedia Commons

🇱🇹 Our journey through military heritage sites continues – this time, we invite you to discover some of the most meaningful freedom memorials in Lithuania. In this short video, you will see places that honor the struggle, sacrifice, and resilience of people in Lithuania: ✦ Lithuanian Partisans’ Memorial in Kryžkalnis ✦ Freedom Monument in Plungė ✦ Dimitravas Forced Labor Camp ✦ Litvak Memorial Garden ✦ Rainiai Chapel of Suffering These sites remind us of the price of freedom and the importance of remembering history. 🎥 Watch the video and join us on this journey through Lithuania’s military heritage. #latlit #interreg #militaryheritage #heritagetourism #militaryheritagetourism Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme

"Abrene Rooms" in Viļaka – step into a living exhibition of military heritage! ✨ "Abrene Rooms" – a unique military heritage exhibition that brings to life the history and stories of the former soviet Latvia and borderland defence stories. Here, every room carries fragments of the region’s past, creating an immersive experience for travellers interested in 20th-century military history. The building of "Abrene Rooms" also housed flats and offices, various shops, and, during World War II, the headquarters of the Latvian Self-Defence, the Gestapo, and the Cheka. 📍 Location: Tautas iela 1, Viļaka, Balvu novads Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme | Latgale.Travel | Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays | Balvu novada Tūrisma informācijas centrs | Abrenes Istabas #military #militaryheritagetourism #MilitaryHeritage #sovietera #baltics

The fiercest battles of World War I in Latvia unfolded near Daugavpils, in the highlands of Ilūkste and Medumi, in August and October 1915. German forces tried to break through to Daugavpils. Neither side succeeded, and trenches were built, forming three-layered defense lines. Today, the First World War Museum in Medumi (WWI ROUTE), located in northeastern Latvia near the border with Lithuania, preserves the history of these battles. Explore the three-part exhibition: 1️⃣ Discover Medumi’s rich history before the war and see testimonies of a thriving community. 2️⃣ Learn about WWI in Europe and Latvia, soldier life, innovations of the war, and the weapons of the German and Russian armies. 3️⃣ Step into a recreated Russian bunker and experience the realities of trench warfare – complete with shelters, battlefield elements, and lifelike soldier dummies. Concrete German bunkers still stand along the International WWI Bunker Route, while the museum has reconstructed wooden Russian bunkers. With immersive audio-visual setups, the museum truly brings the battlefield to life. 📍 Location: Medumi, northeastern Latvia, near the Latvian-Lithuanian border. A must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone curious about the stories etched into Latvia’s landscapes! Interreg Latvia - Lithuania Programme | Latgale.Travel | Lauku Ceļotājs / Baltic Country Holidays