Jēkabpils: Castle, narrow-gauge railway and nature

Krustpils Castle was built in 1237 as a fortification on the road from Riga to Daugavpils. It is a starting point for exploring the cultural history of Jēkabpils; other highlights include Viesīte’s narrow-gauge railway heritage and the district’s protected lakes, floodplains and wetlands.

Krustpils Castle and railway history

Krustpils Castle is considered one of Latvia’s oldest castles. Archbishop of Riga Nikolajs de Magdeburg had it built in 1237 as a fortification on the road from Riga to Daugavpils. The Jēkabpils History Museum has been housed in the castle since 1996. From the gate tower, you can take in a panoramic view of the city—a distinctive perspective on Jēkabpils that connects the historic site with the cityscape.

In Viesīte, the history of another form of transport takes centre stage: its narrow-gauge railway junction is recognised as an industrial monument of national significance. It is the only place in Latvia where the history of a 600-millimetre railway can be explored at its original operating site. The “Sēlija” Museum comprises the Mazā Bānīša parks and Paula Stradiņa skola departments. It displays the ML-635 steam locomotive, built by Schwarzkopff in 1918, and service car No. 3637, manufactured in 1916.

The family-friendly Mazā Bānīša Park complements the railway exhibits with railway-themed games and the chance to have your photo taken with a wax figure of the locomotive driver Oskars. Small groups can explore Viesīte’s historic centre on an electric train; advance booking is required.

Crafts, exhibitions and local history

The open-air section “Sēļu sēta” displays six rural buildings from the 19th century from Upper Latgale, as well as tools and household items from the Sēlija region. The exhibition “Ar sēliju sirdī” presents Sēlija’s settlements, rivers and lakes, as well as historical figures and craftspeople. Visitors interested in practical everyday life can try activities such as milling, spinning and blacksmithing there.

Gārsene Castle also combines architectural history with the region’s past. Known as the “Pearl of Sēlija,” it was built in the Neo-Gothic style by Baron von Budberg between 1856 and 1860. The castle houses a historical exhibition on the history of the baronial family, the school and the parish. Near the castle, visitors can also see river meanders, the ancient valley of the Suseja, an avenue of fly agaric mushrooms, notable trees, erratic boulders and a pine tree with seven tops.

The Gārsene nature trails provide access to more than 40 notable natural features and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The “Discover Gārsene” audio route is about 4.5 kilometres long, includes 20 viewpoints and sites, and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. If you plan to use the digital audio guide, check its availability in advance. At the castle, an interactive touchscreen offers a digital guide to Gārsene’s history, available around the clock.

Protected landscapes in Jēkabpils District

The Sauka Natura 2000 Nature Park protects the landscape around Lake Sauka and the Sēlija upland of the Augšzeme Highlands. It is located in the Elkšņi, Rites and Sauka parishes of Jēkabpils District. The park features rapids, mineral-rich springs, spring fens, slope and ravine forests, natural eutrophic lakes, species-rich hay meadows and moist broadleaf forests. Its diversity ranges from water bodies and spring areas to forest and meadow habitats.

The Laukezers Natura 2000 Nature Park is located in Kūki Parish in Jēkabpils District. It protects at least nine habitats of Latvian and European importance, as well as at least twelve protected plant species. North of Lake Laukezers, valuable pine forest communities grow on the southern slope of the upland. In the Klaucāni and Priekulāni Lakes Nature Reserve, a rare species takes centre stage: the floating water chestnut is endangered in Latvia and occurs in only four lakes, including these two. A further 37 specially protected species have also been recorded there; the lakes correspond to an EU habitat type of eutrophic lakes with submerged and floating aquatic vegetation.

The Dviete River floodplain in Jēkabpils District offers another seasonal natural spectacle. It protects floodplain meadows that are regularly inundated where the Dviete and Ilūkste rivers flow into the Daugava. In spring, the floodplain is a seasonal stopover for several thousand geese and ducks and is one of Latvia’s most diverse areas, with a particularly rich variety of bird species.

Water and seasonal activities

The Jēkabpils Mežaparks and Radžu Reservoir recreation area covers 304.14 hectares. It includes the protected geological formation “Radžu akmens.” The reservoir has eight dolomite islands, which can be circled by rowing boat, SUP board or pedal boat. The Blue Flag has flown at Radžu Reservoir beach every year since 2010; lifeguards are on duty there during the swimming season. Pedal boats, boats and SUP boards are available for seasonal hire at the beach, depending on the operator. Licensed fishing is organised at Lake Sauka.

Visitor information

Tadenava is the birthplace of Rainis and is set amid Latvia’s unspoilt nature. Guided tours are offered in Latvian, English and Russian, along with school programmes and nature activities for children. Creative workshops for families take place one Saturday each month; as programmes and dates may change, it is advisable to check for current information before your visit. In Viesīte, the tourist information centre offers free advice and information materials about tourist opportunities in Viesīte and Jēkabpils District, including maps, tourism brochures and guided tours to explore the town.

Discover more destinations: Jēkabpils, Vidsala, Dunava, Gulbenes Novads, Roja, Garkalnes Novads, Ilūkstes Novads, Ventspils.

For the overview of the wider region: Latvia.