Rēzeknes Novads: Hotels, Lakes and Culture

Lake Rāzna is Latvia’s largest lake by water volume. There are beaches and recreational areas on its eastern and southeastern shores. A 34-metre-high observation tower on Lielais Liepukalns offers views of the Latgalian lake landscape. Here, open landscapes, bathing areas and a distinctive viewpoint come together by the water.

Water and Trails

The Rāznas Nacionālais parks has a cycling route called “Apkārt Rāznas ezeram”. Excursions on Lake Rāzna are also offered on the sailing yacht Sea Esta. The two offerings incorporate the lake in different ways: one as a route around the body of water, the other as the setting for an excursion on the water.

Nature

Within Rēzeknes novads, Rāznas Nacionālais parks includes the municipalities of Mākoņkalna pagasts, Čornajas pagasts, Kaunatas pagasts and Lūznavas pagasts. The park contains 14 habitat types listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. The part of Lubāna mitrājs belonging to Rēzeknes novads comprises Nagļu pagasts, Gaigalavas pagasts and Dekšāres pagasts. Lubāna mitrājs includes floodplain meadows, untouched raised bogs, swamp forests, boreal forests, black alder swamp forests and park-like meadows.

The “Bāka” Water Tourism Centre is located in the Lubāna mitrājs nature reserve on Lake Lubāns. The nature centre of Rāznas Nacionālais parks is accessible to wheelchair users. Activities organised by the nature centre take place on the shore of Lake Rāzna, along the Akmeņu Trail, on Mākoņkalns and in the vicinity of Lake Asariņš. Events organised by the Rāzna Nature Centre may take place on Mākoņkalns, along the Akmeņu Trail and on the shore of Lake Rāzna.

Culture

Lūznava Manor offers permanent exhibitions about bats and the engineering ideas of Kerbedzs. Guided walks and tastings are offered in the park of Lūznava Manor. The chapel of Lūznava Manor was opened and consecrated in early February 2015; Holy Mass is held there regularly every Sunday.

The Franča Trasuna Museum “Kolnasāta” presents the cultural setting of a Latgalian farmstead from the early 20th century and displays a permanent exhibition of historical household items. It also offers museum education programmes on weddings in Latgale, historical household items, Frančs Trasuns’s childhood trails and old christening traditions. The Malta History Museum regularly offers educational programmes and events for various visitor groups.

Pīterkolns combines traditional Latgalian pottery skills with contemporary design and offers pottery workshops for groups and individual visitors. Both traditional craftsmanship and its contemporary interpretation are therefore at the centre of its activities.

History

Fragments of the defensive walls of Volkenberg Castle, built in 1252 by the Livonian Order, have been preserved on Mākoņkalns. A staircase leads to the summit of Mākoņkalns. From there, visitors can enjoy views of Lake Rāzna and the small Lake Ubagova. Mākoņkalns also has a car park and toilet facilities.

Activities

Z/S “Untumi” offers horseback riding excursions, carriage rides and sleigh rides in winter. Its services also include hippotherapy and riding lessons led by a certified trainer. The various options therefore range from outings with horses and carriages to the specifically mentioned riding and therapy services.

Regional Pages

Seksti, Bērzgale, Gaiduļi, Gaigalava, Lendži, Malta, Čornaja, Puša, Lipuški, Rēzekne, Kaunata, Astici, Balda, Ratnieki, Stoļerova, Rikopole

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.