Pastende: Cultural History and Hotel Search

Pastende brings together several cultural and historical themes: the architectural history of Pastende Manor, the bridge on Skolas iela and the activities at Pastende Culture House. There is also a motorcycle exhibition; the cycling route recommends the Motosporta Exhibition as a stop along the way. Historic building phases, changing displays and a route stop offer different starting points for planning your trip. Check the current visiting arrangements for the Motosporta Exhibition before your trip.

Pastende Manor and its architectural history

The German baronial von Hahn family (1476–1920) created the splendour of Pastende Manor, including its park plantings. The manor house was built mainly in the 18th century; the oldest part of the residential building dates from the 17th century. These details refer to different aspects: the period 1476–1920 relates to the family, while the 17th and 18th centuries indicate the building periods. At the same time, the 17th-century date applies only to the oldest part of the residential building, not to the entire manor house. Since 1945, the main building has housed Pastende Primary School. This adds a clearly dated later use of the building to its architectural history.

The bridge on Skolas iela

A new bridge was built on Skolas iela in Pastende to replace the old bridge over the River Stende, which had been completely demolished. The former bridge was built more than 150 years ago; this age reference applies only to the predecessor. The new structure is an arched stone-wall bridge made of natural fieldstones, with gravel fill set in lime mortar. The details about age, form and materials help distinguish the building phases: the age refers to the former bridge, while the material description refers to its replacement.

Exhibitions and crafts at the Culture House

Fourteen creative groups are active at Pastende Culture House. Exhibitions change regularly in the exhibition hall. Handicrafts are also displayed regularly in the fireplace room. They are made by members of the handicrafts collective or by guest artisans. The two rooms offer different points of reference: changing exhibitions are the focus of the exhibition hall, while the fireplace room showcases handicrafts and their makers. If you are especially interested in handicrafts, you can look out for the displays in the fireplace room.

Motorcycle exhibition and cycling route

The motorcycle exhibition in Pastende features 29 motorcycles manufactured from 1925 onwards. The number indicates the size of the collection on display; the year indicates when the vehicles began to be manufactured. The cycling route also recommends the Motosporta Exhibition in Pastende as a stop along the way. If you plan to stop there, check the current visiting arrangements before setting off.

The manor house and bridge can be explored as a theme in architectural history, while regular exhibitions and handicrafts are the focus at the Culture House. The recommendation to visit the Motosporta Exhibition, by contrast, is part of the cycling route and relates to a different aspect of trip planning. If this stop is important to you, factor the visiting arrangements into your plans in advance.

Discover more destinations: Dārte, Spāre, Mordanga, Kalnmuiža, Sabile, Dižstende, Valdemārpils, Brieži.

For the wider travel overview: Talsu Novads.