Talsu Novads: Culture, Nature and Regional Experiences

The Talsu County Museum was founded in 1923 on Tiguļu Hill in Talsi, the highest of the nine Talsi hills. Culture, nature and special experiences give a trip to Talsu Novads a variety of focuses: from collections and architectural history to activities in the forest and regional food offerings.

Museums and Cultural Heritage

The Talsu County Museum researches, collects and preserves the county’s history, nature, art and cultural heritage. In Sabile, architectural history meets a contemporary cultural offering: the synagogue is a Jewish religious building. Its foundations were laid in 1875, and the brick building was completed in 1890. The former synagogue houses the Sabiles Art, Culture and Tourism Centre, which serves as a venue for contemporary and professional art. Its program includes local and international exhibitions as well as concerts. For specific dates, check the current program.

The Lībiešu tautas nams is also a notable cultural venue: the building is a state-listed architectural monument. Since 1989, a major Livonian festival has been held there every year on the first Saturday in August. If you are traveling at that time, check the program for the relevant year.

The Rojas Maritime Fishing Museum is devoted to the history of seafaring and fishing. Exhibition topics include Krišjānis Valdemārs and the Roja maritime school, 19th-century sailing shipbuilding, and the families of shipbuilders and seafarers. Also covered are the history of fish processing in Roja and the Soviet period on the coast. Individual exhibitions may change. The Pedvāle Open-Air Art Museum offers a different connection between art and its surroundings: more than 150 works of art can be seen outdoors, in a setting that brings together landscape, cultural heritage and art.

Nature and Activities

The Laumu Nature Park offers several different reasons to visit. Latvia’s first disc golf park opened in the forest in 2012, with trees, shrubs, hills and water serving as obstacles. The specific layout of a course may change. With guided activities and playful elements, the Bee Trail offers insights into the world of bees and beekeeping. On warm summer days, visitors can put on protective clothing and learn about a bee colony under the guidance of an experienced beekeeper.

A 2.3-kilometer forest trail explores other natural features of the park. These include a beaver dam, a meadow visited by wild animals and a pond-like habitat for numerous dragonflies. Cross-country skiing is offered in winter; whether conditions are suitable depends on the winter. The same park thus offers a guided bee experience, disc golf and a trail featuring natural highlights, appealing to different visitor interests.

Near Kaltene, the Kaltenes Kalvas are large, wooded piles of stones close to the coast, considered a distinctive coastal formation. Walking routes of approximately 800 meters and 1.5 kilometers are available.

Regional Cuisine and Traditions

Sklandrausis and smoked fish are part of the culinary tradition of the North Kurzeme coast. In Branki, the Taizeļi family’s culinary experience offers lunches, snacks and tastings in the family’s style by prior arrangement. The experience also includes a collection of old household items and stories about the Livonians and the Taizeļi family. If you plan to take part, book in advance and check availability.

Dundaga Castle also offers tastings of local specialties. Prior confirmation may be required; it is best to check the details before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Roja, Mērsrags, Strazde, Sabile, Jaunpagasts, Mordanga, Dzedri, Lielvirbi, Kalnmuiža, Dižstende, Ģibuļi, Brieži, Aklaisciems, Sukturi, Pastende, Dārte, Upesgrīva, Talsi, Valdemārpils, Spāre.

For the broader travel overview: Latvia.