Medumi: Nature Park, Lake and History

• Medumi Park is a dendrological planting of national significance and has been on the list of protected sites since 15 April 1977.
• There are 31 protected tree species recorded in the park.
• The “Medumu Ezeraine” Nature Park covers 1,375 hectares. Lake Medumi lies within this nature park and the “Augšzeme” protected landscape area.
• A hiking trail in the nature park is about 2 km long.
• The beach on Lake Medumi in Medumi Park is also accessible to people with reduced mobility.
• The First World War Museum exhibition covers 113 m² and is divided into two themed sections.

Nature here is shaped by several different forms of protection. Medumi Park is protected as a dendrological planting; its registered tree species give the grounds a botanical character. In the “Medumu Ezeraine” Nature Park, meanwhile, the landscape and its distinctive elevations form part of the region’s character. The highest points there are called Medumu, Samanku, Skirstenu and Ziedinu.

Lake Medumi also merits a closer look: it lies both within the “Medumu Ezeraine” Nature Park and the “Augšzeme” protected landscape area. Its islands form a botanical reserve that has been protected since 1987. When planning a nature visit, these different aspects come together: the tree species in the park, the lake and its protected areas, and the islands’ special status.

A path in Medumi Park passes a small artificial waterfall. The approximately 2 km hiking trail in the nature park runs close to First World War bunkers, old trenches and the site of a manor house cellar. The approximate 2 km length provides a useful guide for planning; the trail links natural surroundings with traces of history.

A beach on Lake Medumi is located in Medumi Park and is accessible to people with reduced mobility. If this accessibility is important for your visit, confirm the arrangements in advance.

The First World War Museum covers the war’s fiercest battles, fought in 1915 in the highlands around Ilūkste and Medumi near Daugavpils. The 113 m² exhibition is divided into two themed sections. A replica of a Russian bunker includes part of a trench, a small shelter, equipment from everyday life at the front and soldiers’ figures. Audio and video technology is intended to evoke the atmosphere of a battlefield.

A private collection adds another perspective on the legacy of the First World War and regional history. It features items of soldiers’ equipment, household objects, historical photographs and maps. The collection includes historical artefacts from Medumu parish and its surroundings.

The prayer house complex of the Medumi Old Believer congregation comprises a church, a separate bell tower and the priest’s residence. The different buildings give the complex a distinctive architectural layout. The prayer house also offers a glimpse of the appearance of Old Believer religious buildings before 1905. This religious architectural history complements the nature and war history that shape other places in Medumi.

If you’re looking for hotels in Medumi, you can plan your trip around these highlights: protected nature and the lake, a short hiking trail with historical stops, or the museum and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Silene, Saliena, Ezeriņi, Daugavpils, Svente, Laucesa, Šengeida, Naujene.

How long is the hiking trail in the nature park?

The hiking trail in the “Medumu Ezeraine” Nature Park is about 2 km long and runs close to bunkers, old trenches and the site of a manor house cellar.

What does the First World War Museum exhibit?

The exhibition covers the 1915 battles in the area around Ilūkste and Medumi and includes, among other things, a replica of a Russian bunker with part of a trench and equipment.

Which buildings make up the prayer house complex?

The Old Believer congregation’s complex comprises a church, a separate bell tower and the priest’s residence.

Is the beach on Lake Medumi accessible?

The beach in Medumi Park is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. If you have specific needs, it is advisable to confirm the arrangements before your visit.

Return to the broader travel overview: Daugavpils Novads.