Discover Jelgava

Specific points of interest include Jelgava Palace, the Ģederts Eliass History and Art Museum in Academia Petrina, the wooden house at 14 Vecpilsētas Street, and the Lielupe floodplain meadows behind the palace.

Jelgava Palace was the former residence of the dukes of Courland and Semigallia and is considered the largest Baroque palace in the Baltics. It has housed a museum since 1968. The exhibition covers the history of the 13th-century castle of the Livonian Order, the construction of Jelgava Palace, as well as historical research and its preservation.

The Ģederts Eliass History and Art Museum is located in the historic Academia Petrina building, constructed in 1775. Its permanent exhibition includes works by the Latvian painter Ģederts Eliass (1887–1975). Another historical point of interest is the wooden house at 14 Vecpilsētas Street. It is an architectural monument of national significance, dates from the late 18th century, and is one of the oldest surviving wooden residential buildings in Jelgava.

Development along Vecpilsētas Street began in the 18th century and continued until the beginning of the 20th century. A dense group of old buildings has been preserved there, along with expressive architectural, artistic, and historical elements.

Tours of Jelgava Palace focus on its construction, its significance in the Duchy of Courland, its architecture and interiors, as well as its historical residents. In addition to the general museum exhibition, this offers a more thematic way of exploring the palace.

The House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts presents daily demonstrations of textile art. The weaving of patterned Semigallian twill and textile art on Pēteris Viļumsons’s semi-automatic single-beam looms have been included in Latvia’s list of intangible cultural heritage values. This focus highlights regional textile traditions as a distinct cultural heritage topic.

On the island behind Jelgava Palace, more than 80 wild horses graze in the Lielupe floodplain meadows. Another highlight in Jelgava is the Candy Workshop, where you can taste caramel and other sweets and make your own caramel. Culture, crafts, nature, and a hands-on culinary activity therefore offer different ways to experience Jelgava.

If you would like to compare Jelgava with other destinations, you can also visit Mežciems, Zaļenieki, Valgunde, Platone, Vidusmuiža, Blankenfelde and Vilce. This keeps the selection from being limited to urban attractions.

What exhibitions are housed in the tower of the Holy Trinity Church?

The tower houses interactive historical exhibitions about the national costume of Semigallia and the history of Jelgava and the church.

Is there also a viewing platform in the tower?

On the ninth floor, a glass-floor panorama offers views over Jelgava. The viewing platform complements the historical exhibitions with a visual perspective of the city.

Why are the Lielupe floodplain meadows specially designated?

The Lielupe floodplain meadows behind Jelgava Palace are designated as a Natura 2000 site because of the diversity of rare bird and plant species.

For the overall travel overview: Jelgava Municipality.