Hotels in Ogres Municipality – Culture, Nature and History in Latvia

Historic sites, nature parks, river landscapes and craft experiences give Ogres Municipality a diverse character. Between Ogre, Lielvārde, Ķeipene and the area’s wooded landscapes, exhibitions, archaeological monuments, as well as walking and water-based experiences take centre stage.

Culture and history

At Kinostacija Ķeipene, the only surviving section of track from the former Rīga–Ērgļi railway line has been preserved. Kinostacija also includes an exhibition about the outstanding film director Sergei Eisenstein. Another historic destination is the ruins of Ikšķile Church on St. Meinard Island. They are considered the oldest ruins of a stone building in Latvia; the church was built in 1185 under Bishop Meinard. The ruins can be reached by boat. When the water level of the Rīgas HES reservoir is lowered, it may be possible to reach them on foot along the route of the former road.

At the Andreja Pumpura Lielvārdes muzejs, visitors can temporarily step into the roles of Lāčplēsis, Laimdota and Andrejs Pumpurs and put on a Lielvārde belt. The medieval castle ruins of Lielvārde are an archaeological monument of national significance, while the medieval castle of Lielvārde was already mentioned in written sources in 1229.

The Tīnūžu muiža Culture and Heritage Centre is housed in a barn built in the early 1930s. Its main exhibition is dedicated to the battles fought by the Latvian Riflemen at the Little Jugla in 1917. At the Energy Museum in Ķegums, Latvia’s energy history is presented from the first electric light bulb to the commissioning of the Ķegums hydroelectric power station. There are also interactive exhibitions on environmentally friendly energy generation and the physical laws associated with it.

An unusual collection can be seen at Kaktusu māja: it contains 250 knitted and crocheted cacti. The Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs preserves around 50,000 objects acquired in the city of Ogre and in the territory of Ogres Municipality. The permanent exhibition “Pietura Ogre” tells the story of Ogre, from the first inhabitants of Ķentes Pilskalns through its heyday as a spa and recreation resort to the Soviet and industrial era.

Nature and trails

The Ogres Zilie kalni Nature Park is home to six protected plant species characteristic of forests on eskers or esker-like ridges. In summer, its network of trails is available for Nordic walking, cycling and other recreational activities. The Ogres Valley also contains 15 biotopes that are particularly protected in Latvia.

The Meņģele observation tower is located in Ogres ieleja Nature Park and offers views across the Ogres Valley. Velna klēpis is an approximately 30-metre-long collection of erratic boulders in a deep, wooded ravine in the upper reaches of the Nāružiņa. Āderkašu Pilskalns lies in a wooded, hilly landscape on the bank of the Taukātne, a tributary of the Ogre, and has two terraces.

Ķoderu Pilskalns, popularly known as “Lielā vīra gulta”, is an archaeological monument of national significance. It lies on the right bank of the Little Jugla, on a parallel ridge of the Lielie Kangari. Its north-eastern and south-western slopes are naturally steep and around 15 metres high. In Špakovska Park, a staircase with 100 steps leads to an observation tower. The 70-metre-long Purva Trail also runs there, featuring a natural spring two metres deep.

River landscapes and paddling

Paddling on the Ogre is possible throughout the season from Vecogres HES and from the Emmas Mills. When the water level is higher, launches are also possible from Ērgļi.

Gingerbread, pancakes and beeswax

For the icing on its gingerbread, Ķeipenes piparkūku studija uses natural berry and fruit juices instead of artificial food colourings. Visitors can also watch gingerbread being made at Ķeipenes piparkūku studija. A “Krapes crepes” pancake workshop is held at Krapes muižas ūdensdzirnavas. Bišu maģija offers workshops on making natural beeswax candles.

Ogre as a starting point

Ogre can be reached from Riga by intercity bus or train. The renovated promenade along the Ogre is 2 kilometres long.

Sub-areas of Ogres Municipality

For further selection within the area, open the direct sub-areas Madliena, Ogresgals, Ķeipene, Meņģele, Ogre and Suntaži.

For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Priekuļu Municipality, Jaunpiebalgas Municipality.