Lapmežciems between the Gulf, Lake and Fishing History

Lapmežciems is located directly on the coast, on a narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Riga and Lake Kaņieris. This gives the village a distinctly maritime setting, while its entire surrounding area lies within Ķemeri National Park. When planning your trip, the main highlights are therefore the coast, fishing history, nature experiences and individual historic sites.

Fishing History at the Lapmežciems Museum

Lapmežciems has been home to fishermen and seafarers since time immemorial. The villages around Lapmežciems are often referred to as fishing villages. This maritime character is brought to life at the Lapmežciems Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the district’s cultural and historical heritage, with a particular focus on the history of fishing and the related aspects of everyday life and the physical environment.

A visit to the museum is not limited to conventional exhibition texts. Wearing 3D glasses, visitors can step into the role of a fisherman and take part in fishing interactively. The museum also offers interactive activities focused on historic place names and the environment around Lapmežciems. Those who want to understand the village beyond its coastal setting will therefore find here an insight into the region’s working and everyday history.

Kupskalnu Nature Trail and Coast

The Kupskalnu Nature Trail is a wooden boardwalk along the Siliņupe River. It leads to the sea, where the old Lapmežciems pier can be seen. The nature trail was created in 2005 and renovated in 2020.

During the spring and autumn migrations, the mouth of the Starpiņupe River where it flows into the Gulf of Riga, as well as an approximately 1 km stretch to the northwest, are suitable for observing waders, gulls and various species of duck. The unofficial Lapmežciems–Bigauņciems bathing area, also known as “Kupskalnu Beach”, is located in Lapmežciems parish on the boundary between Lapmežciems and Bigauņciems and can be reached via the Kupskalnu Nature Trail.

Another bathing area is the Starpinupe bathing area on the bank of the Starpinupe River in Lapmežciems, approximately 200 metres from the Starpinupe dam. It has a changing room, two benches and waste bins.

Early Settlement and Remembrance Culture

The history of the area includes the Siliņupes apmetne settlement. It is the oldest known human settlement site in Ķemeri National Park and is dated to the period between the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. A later historical reference can be found at kilometre 9 of Talsu šoseja: near the houses called “Tuteņi” stands a memorial stone dedicated to Augusts Muižulis, a knight of the Lāčplēsis War Order. He fought in the First World War in the 7th Bauska Rifle Battalion and in the Latvian War of Independence.

Fish from Local Tradition

Lapmežciems’ maritime history is not limited to museums and memorial sites. The “Gardo zivju namiņš” fish kiosk offers various smoked fish, salmon sandwiches and coffee; fish platters can also be ordered.

If you would like to explore other places in the region in addition to Lapmežciems, the relevant pages lead to Radziņciems, Ragaciems, Plieņciems, Apšuciems, Smārde, Klapkalnciems, Ķesterciems and Engure.

For the wider travel overview: Engures Novads.