Discover Suntaži: Observatory, Churches and Brewing Culture

Suntaži brings together astronomy, church architecture, brewing culture and a named landscape. When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first decide which focus you want your trip to have: Would you like to observe the stars, explore church architecture, visit a brewery, or take in a landscape? These topics differ not only in content, but also in the way you can engage with them.

Observe the stars and find constellations

At the public observatory in Suntaži, visitors can observe stars through a powerful private telescope that is open to the public. There are also stories about space and practical skills for finding constellations. The observatory thus offers three ways to engage with astronomy: looking through a telescope, learning through stories, and developing a search technique. This distinction can help you decide: the observatory appeals both to those who want to observe and to travelers who want to discover astronomy by listening or through hands-on learning. The combination of observation, stories and practical learning thus goes beyond looking through a telescope.

Churches and their different historical periods

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Suntaži was built between 1780 and 1782 to a design by architect Christoph Haberland and renovated in 1874. It is an architectural monument of national significance. For historical context, it is useful to treat the construction and renovation as two separate points in time: the years 1780 to 1782 refer to the building’s construction, while 1874 marks the later renovation. Another religious landmark is the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity in Suntaži, consecrated in 2009. Together, they represent two different denominations and several clearly distinct historical dates. The two churches thus form a cultural and historical highlight, with different denominations and historical periods.

Brewery tour in an 1810 barn

The “IndieJānis” brewery is located in Uperspils, in Suntažu pagasts, in a barn on the Kastrāne estate that was built in 1810. A tour shows visitors how beer is made; tours and tastings are offered in Latvian, Russian, English or Norwegian. This combines the brewing process with a building whose year of construction provides its own historical reference point. The choice of language is particularly relevant when planning if you are looking for a tour or tasting in your preferred language. This focus differs from the churches and the observatory: here, beer production and tasting take center stage.

The Lielie Kangari landscape

The eastern part of the Lielie Kangari esker ridge lies in the Suntaži area. This partial reference locates the landscape more precisely: it refers to the eastern section of the named esker ridge. Lielie Kangari thus adds a geographical point of interest to the buildings and activities. When comparing your travel interests, you can consider this specific landscape alongside the cultural and astronomical themes of your stay.

Different focuses for your trip

When choosing activities, you can consider different questions: Would you like to complement observation with stories and learning a search technique, or would you prefer to trace historical development through construction and renovation dates? The brewery tour offers a different focus by explaining the brewing process and including a tasting; the four languages offered are a practical criterion for choosing. This lets you weigh the topics according to the kinds of activities that interest you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Madliena, Ķeipene, Ogre, Ogresgals, Meņģele

For the broader travel overview: Ogres Novads.