Valles parish: Nature, Culture and Hotels

Nature

Seržu tīrelis is a nature reserve and Natura 2000 site in Valles parish. The area protects bog forests considered a priority habitat of European importance. Protected plant species found there include stāvlapu dzegužpirkstīte and plankumainā dzegužpirkstīte. Species listed in the EU Birds Directive also occur there, including the black stork, pygmy owl, black woodpecker, and osprey.

Dūņezera purvs is also characterised by its bog landscape. The relatively open and flat raised bog is surrounded by a bog forest. Under the EU Habitats Directive, habitat types recorded here include active raised bogs, transition mires and quaking bogs, as well as bog woodland. The area around Vāveres ezers includes the lake, the surrounding transition mire, and wet black alder forests. Vāveres ezers is also an important protected area for the species spilgtā purvuspāre.

Aklais ezers has low, flat, peat-rich shores. Its water flows via the Vitkopupīte towards the Daugava. Thus, Valles parish documents various forms of bog, forest, lakeshore, and watercourse.

Culture and History

The Aktieru Amtmaņu muzejs preserves the history and family roots of the actors and directors Teodors Amtmanis and Alfreds Amtmanis-Briedītis. The permanent exhibition covers the Amtmaņi family, their lives, and their work in theatre. Every year on 5 August, the director’s birthday is commemorated in the museum garden. This includes a service at the church in Valle and celebrations in the museum garden. An audio guide about Valles parish is available through the “izi.travel” app.

The present-day Lutheran church of Valle was built between 1781 and 1785. Beside it stands the environmental artwork “Kardiogramma plus”, made of firebrick and installed in 2001. The Lutheran church and its observation tower can be visited by prior arrangement.

Pētermuižas skola opened in 1878 and served as a school until 1964. Today, it is a locally significant architectural monument. The two-storey building has an ornately decorated balcony. The gables at both ends of the façades are adorned with artistically crafted stone reliefs depicting a winged angel.

A fragment of a high earthen defensive rampart has been preserved at Valles muiža. It formed part of a hydrotechnical defensive system established at the end of the 16th century, with drawbridges and a sluice system. The historical complex at Valles also included a Dutch-style park, excavated ponds, the estate owners’ crypt, and a wooden church. The rectory was built at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century.

The cemetery of soldiers who fell in the First World War is located in the Taurkalne Forest near Reizeni. It is enclosed by a moss-covered earthen rampart and a masonry wall at the entrance. The cemetery contains a granite monument and four concrete slabs bearing the names of the fallen. The graves date from 1915–1916. According to the inscription on the monument, 17 German and 29 Russian soldiers are buried there.

Nature Experiences and Trails

Vallbrieži Fallow Deer Park is open to visitors. Vallbrieži offers individual photo sessions and guided group excursions accompanied by a responsible person. Visitors can get to know the fallow deer, walk with them, and feed them oats and apples.

The Reizeni–Taurkalne route enables cycling trips to sites and objects of cultural and historical significance. It passes through the Taurkalne Forest and offers health-promoting and informative walks. Two important regional roads run through the centre of Valle: Bauska–Aizkraukle and Vecumnieki–Nereta–Subate.

To the main travel overview: Vecumnieki Municipality.