Pitrags – Coast, History and Cycling Routes

• Pitrags is a Livonian fishing village first mentioned in historical documents in 1582.
• The village is located in Slītere National Park, which is designated as a Natura 2000 site.
• Pitrags is part of the Livonian coast, “Līvõd rānda”.
• The cycling routes “Pa lībiešu ciemiem” and “Gar Dižjūri un Mazjūri” pass through the village.

Slītere National Park includes a sandy seacoast with dunes, dry grasslands, dry pine forests on the dunes and coastal waters. The national park also lies along a bird migration route. In spring, large gatherings of migrating birds can be observed there.

Coastal finds are also part of the documented character of the village. After storms, old shipwreck remains can be found on Pitrags Beach. Numerous sunken ships lie in the shallow waters off Pitrags.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Pitrags was known as an important center of boat and shipbuilding. Another trace of this coastal history is the Pitrags pier, built in 1938 to collect sea fertilizer and improve the poor soils along the coast. The remains of a pier are also visible on the shore.

The Pitrags Baptist Church, built in 1902, is also one of the visible historical points of interest. The Krogi farmstead in the center of the village houses a collection of 27 old types of Livonian coastal fences.

For a trip focused on regional culture, the documented farmsteads, church, pier and coastal landscape can be explored as different themes. At the Krogi farmstead, you can help smoke fish and taste the finished product. Smoked fish can also be tasted in Pitrags. Thus, in addition to the village’s history, a specific culinary tradition of the fishing village has also been preserved.

For further options in the same destination area, you can also view Dundaga, Kolka, Dūmele, Košrags, Saunags and Mazirbe. Pitrags itself is especially characterized by the combination of Livonian village history, coastal landscape, historical traces and two documented cycling routes.

Which historic farmsteads are considered the oldest in Pitrags?

According to tradition, Kurg, Tōriz, Sīm and Jōk are considered the oldest farmsteads in Pitrags. The corresponding Latvian forms of the names are Dzērves, Sumbri, Sīmi and Jāki.

Who was Marija Šaltjāre?

Marija Šaltjāre (Bertholde) was an important Livonian language expert and storyteller. She lived from 1860 to 1930 and passed down more than 200 fairy tales and legends, as well as more than 90 songs and games.

What is known about the Kurgati farmstead?

The Kurgati fishing and farming homestead was built in the 1930s. It therefore represents another historic farmstead in Pitrags alongside the traditionally recognized oldest farmsteads.

To the overarching travel overview: Dundaga Municipality.