Jēkabpils: Culture, the Daugava and Nature Experiences

• Krustpils Castle is one of Latvia’s oldest castles and a nationally significant architectural and archaeological monument.
• The Jēkabpils geodetic arc point is one of the 34 points of the Struve Geodetic Arc in ten countries that have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the points in Latvia.
• The open-air exhibition “Sēļu sēta” comprises six rural buildings from the 19th century.

Thus, different forms of culture take centre stage in Jēkabpils: a historic castle, a measurement point of significance to the history of science and an open-air site with a rural focus.

The Archbishop of Riga, Nikolajs de Magdeburgs, had Krustpils Castle built in 1237 as a fortification on the route from Riga to Daugavpils.

At “Sēļu sēta”, visitors do more than simply view historic buildings. They can try various rural activities, including milling, spinning and blacksmithing. This complements the buildings on display with hands-on experiences and makes the site a different kind of cultural destination from a castle or measurement point. The Orthodox men’s monastery “Svētā Gara”, in turn, focuses on religion.

A pedestrian promenade on Jēkabpils’s flood-protection embankment offers views of the Daugava and the city skyline. It combines exercise with experiencing the city, without limiting the visit to a single building. Another option is the tourist road train “Jēkabiņš”, which offers an entertaining and informative ride through the streets of Jēkabpils.

The ride on the tourist road train “Jēkabiņš” covers approximately 9 kilometres and passes through the historic centre of Jēkabpils on the left bank of the Daugava.

Jēkabpils Mežaparks has a 500-metre-long, paved and illuminated route for running, cycling and roller skiing. There is also the 10-metre-long wooden fitness facility “Lūša taka”. Both options specify particular forms of exercise and therefore differ from the more leisurely promenade on the flood-protection embankment.

Since 2010, the Blue Flag has flown every year on the beach at the Radži Reservoir. The reservoir complements the paths within the city with its own landscape and water setting.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Jēkabpils, the desired daily itinerary is an important consideration. Those interested in culture can explore Krustpils Castle, the Struve Geodetic Arc point, “Sēļu sēta” and the monastery as different thematic attractions. Those who want to focus more on exercise will find various options in Mežaparks, along the Daugava promenade and at the Radži Reservoir. Travel planning can also include several destinations: to compare other places, you can also take a look at Vidsala and Dunava.

Back to the main travel overview: Jēkabpils.

What is special about the Orthodox men’s monastery “Svētā Gara”?

It is the only men’s monastery in Latvia.

What objects are displayed at “Sēļu sēta”?

The exhibits include tools and household objects belonging to a moderately well-off farmer from Sēlija in the 19th century.

What can you do at the Radži Reservoir?

The Radži Reservoir has eight dolomite islands. Visitors can go around them by rowing boat, SUP board or water bike.