Zūras: Avenue, Park and Local History

Zūras combines a striking manor avenue with local history spanning Latvia’s first sugar factory and hands-on stories about textiles and food. The park of Zūru Manor also contributes to the area’s diverse character. This offers a range of themes to explore when planning your trip: the distinctive avenue, historical topics, and practical activities related to making and processing things.

The Avenue and Park of Zūru Manor

The avenue of Zūru Manor is Latvia’s longest double-row avenue and is protected as a natural monument of national significance. Two rows of linden trees grow on each side of the road, with ash trees and horse chestnuts planted at certain intervals. The avenue thus combines a clearly defined layout with a diverse mix of tree species.

The manor park covers 5.8 hectares. It is home to 37 non-native tree and shrub species. Baronial graves are located in the southern part, with cork oaks growing nearby. The park’s area and the number of species describe two different aspects: its size and its botanical composition. Together with the avenue, they provide a tangible connection between the landscape and the history of the manor.

Local History and Exhibition

Latvia’s first sugar factory was established in Zūras. The Zūru Local History Exhibition opened in 1998; it was previously known as the Zūru Museum. Its exhibits include old tools, as well as household items and furnishings. Other materials document events in Vārves Parish and Ventspils Municipality. The exhibition’s themes therefore encompass both everyday objects and events in the wider administrative areas.

The story “Cukurgalvas” explores the connection to sugar and traces how a sugar beet seed is transformed into white sugar. It links a specific processing method with the history of sugar production in Zūras, though these are not necessarily the same subject: one perspective focuses on a historical place, while the other follows the journey from seed to finished sugar.

Hands-on Stories about Textiles and Food

“From Fibre to Fabric” tells visitors about sheep farming and flax cultivation. Visitors can try carding, spinning, twisting, winding, and weaving themselves. These activities make fibre processing and the steps involved in turning it into fabric the focus of this story.

At the “Rūķu darbnīca” workshop, visitors can grind grain, knead white bread dough, and bake it themselves. In the “Cukurgalvas” story, visitors can make various kinds of sweets using old recipes. The textile story brings together the steps from carding to weaving, while the culinary activities focus on grain, bread, and sweets. The practical activities thus differ not only in theme, but also in the materials used.

A Walk Through the Village

For an insight into the village, the story “The Glory and Decline of Zūru Manor” offers a walking tour of Zūras. The avenue, the manor buildings, and the park are among the stops along the way. This allows visitors to connect local history with the landscape features that shape the tour.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Liepene, Akmeņdziras, Dzirnavas, Usma, Ventava, Miķeļtornis, Pasiekste, Ugāle.

For the overarching travel guide: Ventspils.