Sēja Municipality: Hotels, Nature and History

Sēja Municipality showcases its history at various sites: Sēja School, Sēja Manor and the Brankši Mills. These are complemented by the Dzelves-Kroņa Bog, the Loja River, the Sēja Great Oak and special attractions such as an open-air museum, an inspiration garden and a sports centre.

History

Sēja School connects the history of education and the local community. Its construction began in 1914 and was funded by donations from the residents of Sēja Parish. The school was completed in 1922; its inauguration took place on 26 November 1922. The Sēja School Museum was established in 1992 to preserve the history of the school and Sēja Municipality for future generations.

Sēja Manor is a building dating from around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Between 1883 and 1885, it was remodelled with Neo-Gothic decorations. The park contains a water tower built in 1903, which is considered the oldest functioning water tower in Latvia.

Construction of the Brankši Mills began in 1890. They were powered by a single undershot waterwheel. The associated mill lake was approximately 6 hectares in size and had a height difference of 4 metres. At the time, the Brankši Mills were said to produce the best pearl barley in Latvia.

The Pirts Museum also preserves a distinctive form of local material culture. It is a private open-air museum with an exhibition comprising six historic saunas and one newly built sauna. Individuals and groups can use the black sauna there; groups can include up to 20 people. The museum also offers a workshop on binding sauna whisks using the plants traditionally used for this purpose. Honey and homemade products are also available for tasting. Advance registration with the hosts is requested for visits to the Pirts Museum and guided tours.

Nature

The Loja River is 26 kilometres long. Its lower course forms a deep gorge near Murjāņi. A hike along the Loja River near Murjāņi offers views of several sandstone cliffs and caves.

The Dzelves-Kroņa Bog has great ornithological and biological diversity and is a breeding ground for many rare bird species. After the breeding season and during migration, the small lake complexes in the bog are home to numerous geese and cranes.

The Sēja Great Oak is several hundred years old, a symbol of Sēja Municipality and a protected natural monument in Latvia. During the Second World War, it was used as a good observation point. Today, the Great Oak is considered an important and highly popular tourist destination.

Activities

The Sēja Disc Golf Park has 18 holes. The Sēja Sports Centre is located approximately 6 kilometres from Murjāņi on the road between Murjāņi and Saulkrasti. It includes a sports hall with regulation-size courts for handball, mini-football, tennis, basketball and volleyball.

The Auguste Inspiration Garden features a hydrangea landscape with more than 2,000 hydrangeas and a representative colonnaded gazebo. Further information about Murjāņi can be found in another destination entry.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sēja Municipality.