Discover Mazsalaca: Crafts, Manor House and Salaca Valley

• The Valmiera–Pärnu (Estonia) road passes through Mazsalaca.
• The Valka–Ainaži road also passes through the town.
• The Mazsalaca Museum is located in the historic Valtenberg Manor.
• A trail around 6 kilometres long runs through the Salaca Valley in Skaņākalna Nature Park.
• The Neļķu Cliffs lie on the right bank of the Salaca and are more than 20 metres high and 300 metres long.

A special connection to local culture can be found through the making of patterned double mittens. This is an intangible cultural heritage value and part of the identity of the folk crafts studio “Mazsalaca”. With this technique, the mitten is patterned on both the inside and outside; the colours are arranged in reverse. At the Amatu māja in Mazsalaca, you can learn how they are made from master craftspeople. This makes the production visible not only as a finished craft, but also as an activity passed on to others.

Valtenberg Manor is an example of late Classicism on the banks of the Salaca. The central manor house of the ensemble was built in 1780 at the instigation of the estate owner Vilhelms Georgs fon Falkerzāms. The landscaped surroundings include the avenue on Parka iela, which forms part of the manor’s planting. Two Baroque gardens transition into a landscape forest park laid out along the Salaca in the 19th century. The Mazsalaca Museum connects this historic site with a cultural visit.

The trail around 6 kilometres long in Skaņākalna Nature Park leads through a particularly scenic section of the Salaca Valley. Along the way, sandstone outcrops, caves, springs and pine forest shape the described landscape. The Neļķu Cliffs are a distinctive natural feature in their own right. They are considered one of Latvia’s most picturesque red sandstone outcrops and extend along the right bank of the Salaca to a height of more than 20 metres and a length of 300 metres.

The Skaņākalna Cliff, also called Skaņaiskalns, is around 20 metres high and produces the strongest echo in Latvia. The rest area at Skaņākalna Cliff is also particularly suitable for canoeists and other boat sports enthusiasts. This means that different landscape perspectives can be experienced during a stay: a trail through the valley, striking sandstone formations and a riverside location that is also mentioned in connection with boating.

St. Anne’s Church preserves several clearly distinguishable construction phases. Its oldest part dates from the 14th century and has walls 1.5 metres thick. In 1890, a cross-shaped section in the Gothic style was added and completed in a single summer.

Prāmja jeb Āža krogs is also part of the town’s historic setting and is one of the oldest buildings in Mazsalaca. Since the winter of 2022, it has been restored as a place where town visitors can stop during everyday outings and celebrations. The Līgojošais suspension footbridge leads from the park of Valtenberg Manor across the Salaca to Lībiešu pilskalns and the open-air stage.

The Ērenpreisa Festival takes place in Mazsalaca every year, commemorating the anniversary of Gustavs Ērenpreiss. When choosing accommodation, nature, crafts, architectural history and a recurring festival can therefore be considered different focal points of the destination.

What are the dimensions of the Neļķu Cliffs?

The Neļķu Cliffs are more than 20 metres high and 300 metres long.

How old is the oldest part of St. Anne’s Church?

The oldest part dates from the 14th century.

When was the Gothic section of St. Anne’s Church added?

The cross-shaped Gothic section was added in 1890 and completed in a single summer.

Since when has Prāmja jeb Āža krogs been restored?

The restoration of the historic building has been underway since the winter of 2022.

To the higher-level travel overview: Mazsalaca.