Discover Gulbene Municipality: Bānītis, Castles and Nature

Looking for a hotel in Gulbene Municipality and want to plan your trip around a specific theme? The region combines railway history with castles, churches, literary audio trails and a protected floodplain. The distinctions below can help you choose a focus: a ride on the historic railway depends on the timetable and possible offer conditions, while architectural history, literature and landscape each offer different themes for your visits.

Bānītis: Railway History with Key Facts

The Gulbene–Alūksne Bānītis is Latvia’s only railway recognised as a cultural monument of national significance that is still in operation. Its 33-kilometre route is also Latvia’s last narrow-gauge railway with regular passenger service. The Bānītis stops at ten stations, including Stāmeriena, Kalniene, Paparde and Umernieki. If you plan to include a ride in your trip, check the timetable and take into account the stops relevant to your planned visits.

The historic train offers guided tours of the Gulbene depot, rides on a hand-operated rail trolley and an experience in a Soviet-era saloon car. These offers may be seasonal or require advance arrangements; check the conditions before travelling. The Bānītis Festival is also part of the railway tradition: the Bānītis railway organises it annually together with local communities. Check the specific festival dates and programme separately.

Castles, Churches and Literature

The architectural history can be seen through several examples. Lizums Castle was built in the first half of the 19th century, is a cultural monument of national significance and has housed a school since 1937. Stāmeriena Castle was built in the 1820s, remodelled in 1835 and is surrounded by a landscaped park. The two castles therefore represent different historical milestones, and their histories cannot be reduced to the same construction period.

Velēna Church is also a cultural monument of national significance. The Neo-Gothic building was consecrated in 1898 and houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the church and the parish. Services and arrangements for visits may vary. If you are interested in the history of rural everyday life, in Druviena you can visit a Vidzeme rural school from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as an exhibition about life in the countryside in the past; seasonal visiting opportunities may vary.

Literary audio trails can be found in Druviena, Lizums, Tirza, Lejasciems and Stāmeriena. Along the route between stops, visitors can listen to reflections and observations on Latvian classics by five contemporary writers. This combines a walking route with literary audio content. An open-air stage was also built for Rūdolfs Blaumanis’ play “Skroderdienas Silmačos”, and a museum displaying props from the play was established.

Art and history experiences are also available in the barn of the Vecgulbene Manor, at the Red Castle and in the “Kolorītais Leo Svemps” exhibition at Stāmeriena Castle. Exhibition themes may change. Another option for a guided visit is “Zaļā vaļā”, which offers insights into the freeze-drying process and product making, a blind tasting, and the opportunity to taste and buy the products on offer. Confirm visit arrangements in advance.

Floodplain Landscape and Activities

The Sita–Pededze floodplain in Litenes parish includes largely untouched flood meadows, oxbow lakes, groups of oaks, park-like meadows and riverside mixed forests of oak, elm and ash. As a Natura 2000 protected area, it is home to more than 18 protected animal species, including three globally threatened bird species. Alongside built cultural monuments, the landscape and its protected biodiversity therefore offer a distinct focus to choose from.

Another activity is available at the “Siltie” meadow golf course, with nine holes and equipment rental. Check the availability of the course and equipment before travelling. Take account of the relevant timetable, festival or offer conditions rather than assuming that train rides or seasonal experiences are available at all times.

Discover more destinations: Ranka, Gulbene, Velēna, Stāmeriena, Litene, Namsadi, Daukstes, Lizums, Galgauska, Stāķi.

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