Gulbene Municipality: Bānītis, Castles and Nature

Gulbene Municipality combines the still-operating Bānītis railway with castles, churches, exhibitions, regional crafts and protected landscapes. The area offers very diverse experiences between cultural history and nature: historic railways, literary listening trails, traditional foods, creative courses and a species-rich river floodplain.

Culture and History

One of the notable buildings is Velēna Church. The Neo-Gothic building was consecrated in 1898, is a cultural monument of national significance and houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the church and the parish. Lizums Castle was built in the first half of the 19th century. This building is also a cultural monument of national significance; a school has been housed there since 1937.

Stāmeriena Castle was built in the 1820s and remodelled in 1835. It is surrounded by a landscaped park. A multimedia exhibition about the Wolf family and an extensive photo exhibition in the castle tell its story. In Druviena, you can also visit a Vidzeme rural school from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as an exhibition on former rural life.

Literature and stage art are also tied to specific places. An open-air stage was built for Rūdolfs Blaumanis’ play “Skroderdienas Silmačos”; there is also a museum with props from the play. An art and history experience is offered in the barn of the Vecgulbene Manor, the Red Castle and the “Kolorītais Leo Svemps” exhibition at Stāmeriena Castle. The grounds also contain the Roman Catholic Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette, a library and a sculpture park.

The Bānītis and the Bānītis Festival

The Gulbene–Alūksne Bānītis is the only railway in Latvia recognised as a cultural monument of national significance that is still in operation today. The 33-kilometre Gulbene–Alūksne railway line is Latvia’s last narrow-gauge railway with regular passenger service. The Bānītis stops at ten stations, including Stāmeriena, Kalniene, Paparde and Umernieki.

The railway experience includes guided tours of the Gulbene depot, rides on a handcar and a stay in a Soviet-era salon car. Together with local governments, the Bānītis railway also organises the annual Bānītis Festival.

Nature and Activities

The Sita–Pededze floodplain in Litenes parish comprises natural, largely untouched flood meadows, oxbow lakes, oak groves, park-like meadows, as well as mixed riverside oak, elm and ash forests. The floodplain is a Natura 2000 protected area in Litenes parish of Gulbene Municipality and is home to more than 18 protected animal species, including three globally threatened bird species.

Other offerings include the “Siltie” meadow golf course, with meadow golf across nine holes and equipment rental. Kayaks and SUP boards are also available.

Crafts, Flavours and Shared Experiences

At “Zaļā vaļā”, insights into the freeze-drying process and hands-on product preparation lead to a blind tasting, followed by the tasting and purchase of the products on offer. During a tour, visitors can also learn about the cheese-making process; common types of cheese can be sampled and products purchased.

In a workshop, visitors can take part in making sauna items, gathering herbs and binding sauna whisks, as well as learn about sauna rituals. Creative themed courses and an escape room are offered. School groups, families and other interested visitors can take part in creative courses, visit exhibitions, join guided tours, participate in traditional celebrations and play traditional games.

With advance booking, visitors can enjoy “Silmači” pancakes. Literary listening trails are available in Druviena, Lizums, Tirza, Lejasciems and Stāmeriena. Along the route from one stop to the next, visitors are accompanied by reflections and thoughts on Latvian classics from five contemporary writers.

Other Locality Pages

Stāmeriena, Litene, Ranka, Gulbene, Velēna, Galgauska, Stāķi, Lizums, Daukstes, Namsadi.

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