Places of Interest - Latvia

"gauja" np ("sigulda")




introduction


The "Gauja National Park" was the first established national park in Latvia and lies in what the Latvians call the "middle country". Traditional music, forests, rivers and lakes are the ingredients here. There are no big cities, but history is there all the more. Sigulda can serve as a starting point for visiting the Gauja National Park. From here it is possible to take beautiful walks through the woods to ancient castles where the traditional inhabitants of the country have its origin, the Lvivs. The village itself is soothing and relaxed, but very vast and does not have a real center; do not expect terraces full of people and a nightlife area. The inhabitants of the village call it "the Switzerland of Latvia" but do also not expect alpine meadows and high "snowy" peaks because then you will be disappointed. 

 

In addition to the fact that you can do all sorts of "extreme" activities such as bungee jumping and bobsleighing, you can go for a day to the village "Skalupe" and visit the ultra-secret bunker "the pension" that was not known to the general public until 2003. became. The park can be visited free of charge.


highlights


The “pension”:

In the middle of a beautiful pine forest in the national park "Gauda" lies the best kept secret of Latvia. On the outskirts of the small village "Skalupe" there is a cold war bunker under a rehabilitation center called the "pension". This secret and confusing name was deliberately chosen by the secret Russian service so as not to mention the true nature of this bunker. This gigantic bunker; some 2000 m2 big (much larger than, for example, the Furher bunker in Berlin), was destined for the top of the Communist party in the 1980s in the event of a sudden nuclear attack by the West. The secret bunker was built 9 meters underground and was equipped with all conveniences. The top could survive for about 2 to 3 months without help from above. What is special is that this place became only known to the general public in 2003 and that all things are authentic and that very few things have changed since that time. The bunker is built in a large square where you can walk around. On both sides there are rooms and other facilities on display.  

 

You will pass the "electricity house" with diesel generators and petrol tanks. These could be used autonomously. Air freshening machines, a water tank and supplies for the sewer house. Obviously there was a staff room with a very large special card where you oddly can not take pictures of. Here, among other things, all collective farms of Communist Latvia can be seen on a map. A strange feeling comes to you when you walk into the communication room where a direct telephone line connection with the "Kremlin" was present. It was also possible to make contact with each important service in the country autonomously and a radio connection could be made to send a message throughout the country. There are rooms where the important headmasters slept and could work; there are books by Marx and Lenin and other Communist writers. Finally there is the dining room where you can also order a typical Russian (soldiers) menu in the form of dumplings with sour sauce. Nowadays you can even organize a party in this very special room. 

 

Tour:

You are obliged to take a tour in this extremely interesting surprising underground secret bunker. The guide will explain what would be done in case of acute emergency. Firstly, all the major leaders would be brought here and the water installations destroyed, causing the country to come under water.



tips & advice (2012)


The bus station of Sigulda is in the center (if you may speak of it) of the town. Next to it is the information center where you meet a perfectly English speaking girl who can explain everything for you. The train station was, when I was there, a shack as it is being rebuilt but it does function. It is a stone's throw from the bus station.

 

Sigulda - Skalupe: if you want to go to "the pension" you have to have some patience; first you have to walk to the main road (A2) which is about 15 to 20 minutes from the center. There is the bus stop where you have to wait for a bus to "Cesis" or "Tartu" in Estonia. Please tell the bus driver that you want to go to "Ligatne" or "Skalupe". At the Hamlet "Augsligatne" you get out and here you have to stay on the same stop for a local (mini) bus to Skalupe. The final stop is at the nursing home where the bunker is hidden underneath. Bus to Augusligatne 0.65 Ls, bus from Augusligatne to Skalupe 0.60 Ls.

 

Sigulda - Tartu (Estonia): There are not many trains to Estonia so prepare yourself; there is a train at 7:40 in the morning towards the border of Latvia and Estonia "Varga" - it costs 3.20 Ls. There is a connecting train (other side of the platform) that goes to "Tallinn" (or Tartu). You can buy a ticket for this in the train (see Estonia).


  • Name: "Turaida  Museum park" (Sigulda)

Address: Turaidas iela 10

Open: 10:00 - 21:00 (summer), 10:00 - 17:00 (winter)

Price: 3.50 Ls

Time: 2 hours

Transport: walking, cycling

Website: www.turaida-muzejs.lv

 

Content:

Large complex with a castle, a church and many other buildings with exhibits all located in a beautiful setting on a hill overlooking a river and a lot of forest. Information about the Middle Ages in Lithuania and how this castle came about and its demise. Special attention is paid to the traditional inhabitants of the country - the "Lviv's". There is a park dedicated to the singing folkore and around the castle you can even try the (hand) bow and enjoy the view from the top in the big tower. The church is one of the oldest in the country and has been completely restored in wooden style. Because of the versatility of the complex, I thought it was worth it, just like the walk through the National Park "Gauja" from the campsite.

 

  • Name: "The pension" (Skalupe)

Price: 3 Ls normally (for me 6,30 Ls)

Time: 1 hour mandatory tour

Transport: bus from Sigulda to Augsligatne, and then bus to Skalupe

Website: www.bunkurs.lv, www.rehcentrsligatne.lv

 

Content:

Located in the middle of a forest, now under a rehabilitation center, this is the most secret bunker in Latvia. Built under a guesthouse that served as a cover, the West was completely unaware of this and this was kept secret for the general public until 2003. It was here that the top of Latvia (civilian, non-military) was taken care of (up to three months) if the country was attacked or in another state of acute distress. I myself had an excellent guide. A unique place in the history of the country and if interested in history a must-see. Getting there (by public transport) can be a problem but you can get there.

 

TIP: ask the bus timetables at the information center in Sigulda and ask them if they can call for times of guided tours. When I was there I had to wait 2 hours (they have a restaurant and WIFI) and also ask the name of the person you (or the information center) spoke to.


At the nice restaurant (including terrace) "Kaku Maja" (means: black cat) you can eat well for an affordable price. There is a buffet and I had a good meal for about 3.75 Ls. In addition, it is cozy and right in the center.


  • Name: Camping "Pludmale" (Sigulda) - Kempings Siguldas Pludmale

Address: Peldu iela 2

Price: 6 Ls (4 Ls p.p. and 2 Ls per tent)

Transport: on foot or via cable car (0.50 Ls)

Website: www.makars.lv

 

Content:

Beautifully situated on the river with a large lawn, plenty of picnic tables and trees that provide shade. The negative points are that there are only a small number of toilets and showers. They seem clean but simply too little. There are two young boys under a roof of a house and in the garage is the reception The campsite is also not secured at all; there is no fence or hedge around it and "strangers" can get there because control is hardly there. Next to the campsite is the "Tarzan" complex which can generate quite a bit of noise, especially during the day. There is a very small kitchen and you can rent a boat so to see (there are plenty of them). I personally think the price is too high for what you get . But there is no competition in the form of another camp site and / or a good (cheap) hostel. Finally, you can go to the center in two ways because there is nothing here; or walking the cliff via a steep long wooden staircase or by the cable car (0.50). It is again on the route to the main attractions of the town. There is free WIFI.

 

TIP: Near the village "Skalupe" (see "the Pension") is also a campsite with the same owner as "camping" Pludmale".



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