Saldus Municipality: Nature, Water and Culture

Saldus Municipality combines protected wetlands, trails along rivers and lakes, and a diverse cultural history. Jaunauce Palace has the status of a state-listed architectural monument of significance. The Sātiņi Ponds are home to a Natura 2000 nature reserve that is important for breeding and migratory waterbirds. A 9.8-metre-high birdwatching tower stands there.

Culture and History

Saldus is home to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the oldest building in the city. Its interior contains historic organs, a Mannerist-style pulpit and a 19th-century altarpiece. The J. Rozentāls Museum of History and Art displays original works from the early creative period of Latvian painter Jānis Rozentāls.

Jaunauce also preserves several historical layers. The “VĀRTI” augmented-reality application at Jaunauce Palace allows visitors to view paintings, busts and historical dances in 3D. The palace park is a seven-hectare 19th-century landscape park that has preserved its historic scale, layout and plantings. Jaunauce also retains a late-Classical interior complex, a collection of seven early-19th-century stoves and Latvia’s only authentic Classical-style domed painting.

The Remte estate includes the New Palace, built in 1800 in the Berlin Classical style, and a 26-hectare landscape park from the early 19th century. The park is characterised by diverse plantings, ponds and a canal system, and surrounds Remte Manor House.

The Oskars Kalpaks Museum presents exhibitions about Colonel Oskars Kalpaks, the Kalpaks Battalion, the First World War and the Latvian War of Independence. The open-air exhibition “Kaujas priekšpostenis”, opened in 2023, has been established at the museum. The barn of Nīgrande Manor houses exhibitions about writer Jēkabs Janševskis and his work, traditional life and the furnishings of manor estates, as well as the Soviet period. There is also a replica of a mammoth tusk found in the vicinity of Nīgrande.

The Ezere Nature and History Trail is three kilometres long, starts at the former manor complex and also leads to the customs house. The document of surrender of the German troops encircled in the “Courland Pocket” was signed in this customs house on 8 May 1945.

Nature and Water

The Ciecere Nature and Walking Trail runs along the Ciecere River between the bridge on Kuldīgas iela and the bridge on Saules iela. Because of the limited, low-lying terrain, sections of the Ciecere Trail are laid out as wooden boardwalks; they are also suitable for walks with prams. In Kalnsēta Park, narrow, steep paths run along the Ciecere, as well as wider paths for relaxed walks.

Saldus Lake has a developed beach with a recreation area, volleyball courts and playgrounds. An open-air café is also open there during the summer season, and SUP boards can be rented. Zaņa Mill Pond has fishing piers, a swimming area, a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court.

The Zvārde Nature Reserve encompasses the Stūri and Zvārde bogs and the surroundings of Lake Ķerkliņi. It is an important breeding ground for rare bird species. Another walking trail follows the Vadakste River to the Vadakste Reservoir and the border between Latvia and Lithuania.

Leisure

At the “Silavas” mini-zoo, visitors can feed the animals with food prepared on site. An indoor exhibition features parrots, dormice, fish, a turtle and pythons.

Getting Around

The Saldus Tourist Information Centre and the Brocēni Tourist Information Point rent bicycles for rides through the city, local trips and routes in the surrounding area.

Taste and Craftsmanship

Saldalus Brewery traditionally brews five varieties of live beer; the entire production process is carried out by hand. By prior arrangement, Saldalus offers small groups brewery tours with tastings.

At the Gotiņa confectionery factory, visitors can learn about the production process of milk toffees and watch a film about their production. The visit also includes tasting the toffees and purchasing them on site.

Further Subareas

The directly associated subareas of Saldus Municipality include Jaunlutriņi, Šarlote, Saldus, Druva and Kursīši.

For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Jaunjelgavas Municipality, Ventspils, Baldones Rural Territory.