Matīši: History, Nature and Events
Matīši combines local history with historic landscapes, natural features and selected events throughout the year. When choosing your travel options, it is particularly helpful to distinguish between the offerings in the village and the destinations in the surrounding area.
Key Facts about Matīši
Matīši St. Matthew’s Church was consecrated on September 21, 1687. In the surrounding area, Jēkabkalns is part of the former Bauņi Manor Park, characterized by varied terrain and dendrological plantings. Varied terrain refers to different landforms; dendrological plantings are stands of various woody plants established in the park. A white stork colony with more than 30 nests is also located in the vicinity of Matīši and is described as the largest in the Baltic states.
What historical connections does Matīši offer?
The Matīšu novadpētniecības centrs provides information about the history of Matīši dating back to the year the parish was founded. The documented historical reference therefore extends beyond the consecration of St. Matthew’s Church and also covers the development of the parish.
Jēkabkalns also represents a connection to the cultural history of Latvia: the second Latvian Song Festival, also called the Vidzeme Latvian Song Days, took place there in 1865, in the vicinity of Matīši. The site thus combines a landscape within the former Bauņi Manor Park with a clearly identified historical event.
Which natural destinations are located in the surrounding area?
Matīši’s natural attractions cover different themes. The aforementioned white stork colony is located in Matīšu pagast, in an old larch avenue along the Valmiera–Matīši–Mazsalaca road (P16). Its location is therefore described more precisely than merely by the general reference to the surrounding area.
Another destination is the Pučurgas dižakmens in Matīšu pagast. The stone has a volume of 12 m³. It has been made accessible for visitors; paths and an information board were installed for this purpose. This information describes the visitor facilities that were created and does not indicate current opening hours or ongoing operations.
Which events can you take into account?
The Matīšu pagasts festival takes place every year on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August. Another event mentioned is the folk dance group concert “Naktsputni”. It takes place at the Matīši open-air stage at the end of May. The two events therefore differ both in timing and format: the festival extends over three days in August, while “Naktsputni” is announced as a concert at the end of May.
If you would like to compare Matīši with other places in the same travel overview, you can also check Burtnieki, Mīlīte and Vecate.
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How far back does the information from the Matīšu novadpētniecības centrs go?
It goes back to the year the parish was founded.
How many nests does the white stork colony contain?
It contains more than 30 nests.
What is the other name for the 1865 Song Festival?
It is called the Vidzeme Latvian Song Days.
To the higher-level travel overview: Burtnieku Novads.
