Rēzekne Municipality: Protected Areas, Lakes and Culture

Protected areas, wetlands and historic cultural sites give Rēzekne Municipality many different facets. In Rāznas Nacionālais parks, the municipalities of Mākoņkalna pagasts, Čornajas pagasts, Kaunatas pagasts and Lūznavas pagasts lie within Rēzekne Municipality. In the part of Lubāna mitrājs that belongs to the municipality, Nagļu pagasts, Gaigalavas pagasts and Dekšāres pagasts are included. These areas offer a range of starting points for a trip, from landscapes and nature observation to history and crafts.

Lake Landscapes and Protected Nature

Rāznas Nacionālais parks contains 14 habitat types listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive. By water volume, Lake Rāzna is the largest lake in Latvia. There are beaches and recreation areas on its eastern and southeastern shores. For a panoramic view of the Latgalian lake district, visit Lielais Liepukalns, where a 34-metre-high observation tower overlooks the landscape.

Lubāna mitrājs is a nature reserve of international importance, part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, and meets the criteria of the Ramsar Convention. Its habitats include floodplain meadows, pristine raised bogs, swamp forests, boreal forests, black alder swamp forests and park-like meadows. The landscape’s diversity here is not captured by a single viewpoint, but by its range of wetland and forest habitats.

Experience Nature and Compare Viewpoints

At the Rāznas Nacionālais parks Nature Centre, the interactive exhibition “Iepazīsti un sajūti Rāznas Nacionālo parku!” invites visitors to learn about the park, Lake Rāzna and the natural values found and protected there, and to get actively involved. The Nature Centre is accessible to wheelchair users. The centre’s activities take place on the shore of Lake Rāzna, along the Akmeņu Trail, on Mākoņkalns and around Lake Asariņa. Events may be held at several of these locations; advance booking is required, and the programme may be seasonal.

On Mākoņkalns, the views come with a historic setting: surviving fragments are part of the defensive walls of Volkenberg Castle, built by the Livonian Order in 1252. A staircase leads to the summit, from where visitors can see Lake Rāzna and the small Lake Ubagova. Mākoņkalns also has a car park and toilet facilities; check their current condition before your visit. The observation tower on Lielais Liepukalns offers a different perspective, with views across the Latgalian lake district.

For an active exploration, Rāznas Nacionālais parks has the cycling route “Apkārt Rāznas ezeram”. Sailing trips on Lake Rāzna aboard the Sea Esta are also available. Check with the operator before your trip to confirm availability. The cycling route and sailing trip offer different ways to explore the lake landscape.

Manor House, Museums and Local Skills

Lūznava Manor combines exhibitions and events. Its permanent exhibitions focus on bats and the engineering ideas of Kerbedzs. Guided walks and tastings are offered in the park; their content may vary. The manor’s events include concerts, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, celebrations, wedding ceremonies and informative tours. The chapel opened and was consecrated in early February 2015. Holy Mass is regularly held there on Sundays; check the service time before travelling.

The Franča Trasuna Museum “Kolnasāta” introduces visitors to the cultural setting of a Latgalian farmstead from the early 20th century. A permanent exhibition displays historic household items. Educational programmes for museum visitors include topics such as weddings in Latgale, Frančs Trasuns’s childhood haunts and old Tau traditions. As the programme should be confirmed, it is advisable to enquire before your trip. The Maltas History Museum regularly holds educational programmes and events for different visitor groups; dates may vary according to the schedule.

Those interested in crafts can discover Pīterkolns, where traditional Latgalian pottery skills meet contemporary design. Pottery workshops are offered for groups and individual visitors. Visitors can also watch ceramics being made by booking in advance. Confirm the arrangements for your visit ahead of time. Z/S “Untumi” offers further activities, including horse rides, carriage rides and, in winter, sleigh rides, as well as hippotherapy and riding lessons led by a certified instructor. Check availability with the operator here too.

The “Bāka” Water Tourism Centre is located in the Lubāna mitrājs nature reserve on Lake Lubāns. It offers water-skiing equipment; availability may vary by season. The options therefore range from protected landscapes and viewpoints to guided cultural experiences and activities whose dates or availability can be confirmed in advance.

Discover More Destinations:

Rikopole, Lendži, Seksti, Balda, Astici, Ratnieki, Stoļerova, Rēzekne, Kaunata, Lipuški, Puša, Malta, Čornaja, Bērzgale, Gaiduļi, Gaigalava

For the broader travel overview: Latvia.