Vecumnieki: Lakes, Culture and Regional Traditions

• The Vecumnieki Lutheran Church was consecrated on 6 December 1845 and has 230 seats.
• Vecais ezers was created by damming the Taļķe River and became operational in 1975.
• Jaunais ezers covers an area of 15 hectares.
• The Vecumnieki tourist information point is located at RÄ«gas iela 34, Vecumnieki, Bauskas novads, LV-3933.

An important cultural landmark is the Vecumnieki Lutheran Church. It was built from 1840 to 1845 in the Empire style, based on a design by the architect Frīdrihs Šulcs. Its decorative interior is protected as a cultural monument of regional significance and is included in the state register of protected cultural monuments. Those interested in church architecture and historic interiors can take this aspect into account when choosing accommodation in Vecumnieki.

Local festivals also give the town its own cultural profile. The tradition of Liliju svētki began on 15 July 2006 at the initiative of Līga Lauriņa. Liliju svētki include a lily exhibition as well as markets featuring artisans and local producers. Meteņi Vecumniekos brings Budēļi together every year, with the tradition explicitly linked to Zemgale. During Meteņdiena, a procession of masked figures makes its way through Vecumnieki to Jaunais ezers; Vecmuižas porridge is also served.

Vecais ezers and Jaunais ezers offer different landscape features. At Vecais ezers, the developed beach area is 200 metres long. With its area of 15 hectares, Jaunais ezers is another specific point of interest in Vecumnieki. A disc golf mini-course is located in Aizupes Park, which was created in 2018. When planning your trip, you can therefore weigh up spending time by the water, visiting a park and enjoying a playful outdoor activity without combining the individual locations into a single route.

For cycling travellers, family cycling tours are offered in Vecumnieku pagasts by local sports organisers. They take place at a leisurely pace on various routes through the Vecumnieku pagasts area. In addition, Vecumnieki has hosted a market for retro technology and antiques for several years. These offerings appeal to different interests: while the cycling tours combine exercise and scenery, the market is aimed at visitors interested in older technology and antiques.

When looking for a hotel or other accommodation in Vecumnieki, it is worth deciding first what the focus of your trip will be. For those interested in culture, the Lutheran Church and Liliju svētki are the main attractions. If you would like to combine time by the water with outdoor activities, you can include Vecais ezers, its 200-metre-long beach area and Jaunais ezers in your plans. For families or groups with different interests, the family cycling tours, Aizupes Park and the retro technology and antiques market are also possible programme options.

Vecumnieku tautas nams includes an outdoor stage in a picturesque location on the shore of Jaunais ezers. Events for the summer season are planned there; they should therefore be understood as plans rather than as a programme already under way. As another possible destination for comparison, you can also look at Skaistkalne. This allows you to assess which place better suits your desired mix of culture, scenery and activities.

When was the Vecumnieki Lutheran Church consecrated?

The Vecumnieki Lutheran Church was consecrated on 6 December 1845.

How large is Jaunais ezers?

Jaunais ezers covers an area of 15 hectares.

What is included in Liliju svētki?

Liliju svētki include a lily exhibition as well as markets featuring artisans and local producers. The tradition began on 15 July 2006.

What can be seen at Meteņi Vecumniekos?

At Meteņi, the Budēļi bring together a tradition linked to Zemgale every year. During Meteņdiena, a procession of masked figures makes its way through Vecumnieki to Jaunais ezers; Vecmuižas porridge is also served.

Have events at the outdoor stage already been confirmed?

Events at the outdoor stage on the shore of Jaunais ezers are planned for the summer season.

Where is the Vecumnieki tourist information point located?

The tourist information point is located at RÄ«gas iela 34, Vecumnieki, Bauskas novads, LV-3933.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vecumnieki Municipality.