Limbažu Novads between Lielezers, the bog trail and the coast

Limbažu Lielezers is 4.3 kilometres long and up to 6.5 metres deep. At Lielezers in Limbaži, there is the artistically designed environmental object “Bebrs”, a tactile map of the beach and nature trail for people with visual impairments, as well as an audio story.

Nature

The nature trail at Limbažu Lielezers is a 2.3-kilometre accessible path connecting the town beach and the boat base with a birdwatching tower. In places, the trail runs along a wooden footbridge through reed beds; the birdwatching tower offers views over the lake. The Niedrāju-Pilkas bog trail is a 1-kilometre circular route ending at an approximately 3-metre-high viewing platform. Randu pļavas is a nature reserve encompassing a section of the Vidzeme coast between Ainaži and Kuiviži. Limbažu Novads is one of three administrative areas of the Ziemeļvidzeme Biosphere Reserve.

Culture and history

The “Melngaiļa sēta” Culture and Education Centre houses permanent exhibitions about the life and work of Emīls Melngailis. The Bārda family memorial museum “Rumbiņi” preserves the memory of the poets Fricis Bārda, Paulīna Bārda and Antons Bārda, who were important figures in Latvian culture. The museum also includes preserved buildings from a 19th- and 20th-century farmstead.

In its permanent exhibition “Spožas pogas, ķiveres”, the Ainažu Ugunsdzēsības muzejs presents the history of the town of Ainaži and displays exhibitions from the collection of the Latvian Firefighting Museum. The museum also offers interested visitors the opportunity to visit the volunteer fire brigade’s depot.

The Pāles novadpētniecības muzejs documents and presents the cultural and historical heritage of the Pāle municipality. By prior arrangement, it offers guided tours that can take place on the requested day and at the requested time. The museum is considered the only museum in Latvia where visitors can learn about the history of the Livonians in Vidzeme.

The Lībiešu muzejs Pivālind in Staicele is located in one of the town’s oldest log houses, built in 1870. The Pivālind Museum offers insights into Livonian history and traditions, local place names and their connection with the Livonian language. The exhibition rooms and the history exhibition of the Limbaži Museum are located in the new castle of the Riga Council, built at the beginning of the 19th century, the former manor administrator’s building of Pilsmuiža, at 7 Burtnieku Street. The Limbaži Museum also includes the exhibition “Baumaņu Kārlis and His Time” about the author of the national anthem of the Republic of Latvia, as well as the permanent exhibition “Perpetuum mobiles”.

Routes and excursions

The Minhauzena muzejs displays weapons, hunting trophies and a wax figure of Baron Münchhausen. The Minhauzena forest trail offers routes of 1 kilometre, 3.4 kilometres and 4.3 kilometres, with 55 figures from stories depicted as wooden sculptures. The museum also includes a large wooden play ship with slides, swings and climbing elements for children.

The 7-kilometre Green Way “Limbaži–Katvari” follows the route of a former railway line. It is suitable for cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing.

Bīriņu pils, built in 1860, preserves historic buildings and other historic objects within its estate grounds. Bīriņu pils offers guided tours of the castle rooms and tower; the stable area has horses, a pony and rabbits. The grounds of Bīriņu pils invite visitors to enjoy peaceful walks and include, among other things, Emīlijas Park and Mīlestības saliņa.

Local culture and flavours

The homemade Gogelmogels plombir ice cream is produced at “Ceplīši” in the village of Stiene according to a classic recipe using pure natural ingredients and no additives. The Svētupes muižas komplekss complex is open seasonally from June to September and hosts cultural, artistic, sports and motorsport events, as well as guided tours.

Sub-areas

Limbažu Novads includes the sub-areas Lādezers, Kaijciems, Vidriži, Ainaži, Nabe, Ķirbiži, Mustkalni, Bīriņi, Lāde, Vārzas, Šķirstiņi and Limbaži.