Ludza – Old Town, Lakes and Culture
Ludza is a destination where protected urban history, a lake landscape and craft traditions come together. If you are looking for a hotel or other accommodation in Ludza, you can choose your activities in the city according to the experiences that define its character: historical tours, paths by the water, castle ruins, museums, regional cuisine and practical activities.
Ludza’s historic centre is a state-protected example of urban development. Narrow streets, 19th-century wooden and brick houses, and enclosed courtyards define the historic urban structure. The Old Town is therefore not merely a single attraction, but a cohesive townscape that unfolds during a walk.
The Ludza Local History Museum organises general and themed guided tours in the museum and in the city. By prior arrangement, Ludza city guides also introduce visitors to the history and current development of the historic city centre. Those who wish to explore the city independently can use an audio guide. For planning purposes, this means distinguishing between an accompanied introduction and independent exploration with audio support.
Key facts about Ludza
The circular route around Little Ludza Lake is 5.14 kilometres long. Ludza Castle was built in 1399 by German crusaders on a castle hill between Great Ludza Lake and Little Ludza Lake to secure the eastern border of the Livonian Order; today, the medieval ruins of Ludza Castle remain there. Around 70 handicrafts are sold in the salon of the Ludza Craftsmen’s Yard, including ceramics, textiles, forged works, handicrafts and wooden products.
What cultural attractions are there in Ludza?
The Great Synagogue of Ludza is considered the oldest wooden synagogue in the Baltics. It was built as a wooden structure in 1800 during the time of Rabbi V. Altšuler, destroyed during the war years, and restored in 2016 to its original appearance as a branch of the Ludza Local History Museum. The synagogue contains a prayer room and modern exhibitions about documentary filmmaker Herz Frank, his father, Ludza photographer Vulf Frank, and the fates of Jewish families from Ludza.
The medieval castle ruins feature a viewing platform, an upgraded pedestrian bridge and castle walls illuminated at night. Together with the location of the former castle on the castle hill, this creates a cultural programme combining historical architectural heritage with views of Ludza’s two lakes.
What paths and water-based experiences are available?
A nearly 300-metre-long pontoon bridge crosses Little Ludza Lake. It connects the Ludza Old Town area near Mazā Ezerkrasta Street with the activity area and the “Radziņš” beach. The route around the lake offers views of Ludza’s church towers and the ruins of the Livonian Order’s castle. The route can also be travelled by bicycle.
At Great Ludza Lake, at the foot of the castle hill on L Ezerkrasta Street, there is an equipped recreation area and a beach. The lake is used for boating and fishing. In Ludza, water scooters, boats, water skis, SUP boards, windsurfing equipment, fishing equipment and a recreational raft are also available for rent. This makes it possible to combine historical sightseeing with various activities on the water without reducing the two lakes to a single uniform experience.
Where can you find crafts and regional cuisine?
The Ludza Craftsmen’s Centre offers practical activities in traditional crafts such as ceramics, weaving and sewing in the Suprātku Room and in its workshops. The centre organises recurring annual markets featuring rural produce, including Christmas, Martinmas and Easter markets, as well as the Great Latgalian Market.
Excursion groups that register in advance can sample Latgalian dishes at Latgaļu kukņa in Ludza. This note is particularly relevant if you would like to supplement your cultural visit with a regional culinary experience: the offer is expressly intended for groups that have registered in advance.
If you would like to compare other destinations, you can also include the destination of Isnauda, the destination of Kušneri, the destination of Tutāni and the destination of Nirza.
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What does a ride on the wooden raft offer?
A ride on a wooden raft on Little Ludza Lake, located in the city centre, offers views of the Old Town panorama. Depending on the offer, musical accompaniment or a Latgalian meal may be included.
What is “Lūcijas nakts pasakas” about?
The theatrical tour “Lūcijas nakts pasakas” presents the ruins of Ludza Castle through legends and active participation with stylised medieval costumes.
What does the “Ežuļa sajūtu taka” experience trail include?
The “Ežuļa sajūtu taka” experience trail includes a barefoot path as well as sensory experiences with natural materials and flower scents.
For the overarching travel overview: Ludza Municipality.
