Discover Rubene

• Indriķis (Henricus de Lettis) wrote the Livonian Chronicle in Rubene.
• Rubene Church was built in the 13th century and is a nationally significant architectural monument.
• The first cookbook in Latvian was published in the Rubene parish at the end of the 18th century.
• Indriķa Day is held annually on a Sunday in July around Indriķis’ name day on 12 July; the programme may vary.

The priest Indriķis, also known as Henricus de Lettis, wrote the Livonian Chronicle in Rubene. This connects the place with a specific written record. Rubene Church adds another historical layer: it was built in the 13th century and has the status of a nationally significant architectural monument. The chronicle and the church offer different ways to explore Rubene’s cultural history: a work written here and a building with designated heritage significance.

An outdoor exhibition about Henry’s House can be seen at Rubene Church. The church also houses a multimedia exhibition on the history of the region from the 13th century to the present day. A guide must be arranged in advance. The two exhibitions focus on different subjects: one is devoted to Henry’s House, while the other spans the region’s history from the past to the present.

An outdoor display case in the servants’ house of the Rubene congregation can be viewed free of charge every day. The tower can be climbed for a donation, with no advance booking required. Plan to arrange a guide for the multimedia exhibition; it is also advisable to briefly confirm the visiting arrangements for the tower before your visit.

At the end of the 18th century, the first cookbook in Latvian was published in the Rubene parish. The connection with food goes beyond this historic publication: the Indriķa Day programme includes bringing tasty recipes from the cookbook back to life. This creates a clear link between the history of the Latvian written language and culinary tradition, without requiring any particular dishes to be specified.

Indriķa Day is held every year on a Sunday in July around Indriķis’ name day on 12 July. The programme may vary from year to year. If you are planning specifically for the festival, check the date and programme for the year you want to visit. Its established historical connections and recurring annual date make the blend of cultural and food history a distinctive theme for planning your trip.

The old steam engine “Tvaika mašīna Dampis” stands by the roadside in Rubene and can be viewed there. The Rubene Giant Boulder, known in Latvian as “Rubenes dižakmens”, is a protected geological feature. Alongside the history of the church and the cookbook, visitors can also explore a technical artefact and a geological attraction. The steam engine is a specific roadside sight; for the boulder, its protected status as a geological feature is the main point noted. This distinction helps put Rubene’s different areas of interest into context.

Discover more destinations: Vaidava, Dikļi and Kocēni.

What can you visit free of charge every day in Rubene?

An outdoor display case in the servants’ house of the Rubene congregation can be viewed free of charge every day.

Do you need to plan your visit to the multimedia exhibition?

Yes. A guide must be arranged in advance for the exhibition on the history of the region.

When is Indriķa Day held?

It is held annually on a Sunday in July around Indriķis’ name day on 12 July. The specific programme may vary.

For the broader travel overview: Kocēnu Novads.