Jūrkalne on the Baltic Sea: Steep Coast, Sandy Beach and Suiti Culture

Jūrkalne combines a distinctive Baltic Sea coast with nature experiences, water sports and the cultural heritage of the Suiti. The steep slope reaches up to 20 metres above sea level in places and has a sandy beach. Ugunspļava is located in Jūrkalne Nature and Recreation Park; a viewing platform, benches and a staircase on the steep slope make the coastal landscape directly accessible. This makes the area particularly suitable for travellers who want to combine the coast, activity and regional culture when choosing their accommodation.

Steep Coast, River Bends and Water Activities

In Jūrkalnes pagasts, the “Rīvas loki” nature trail begins at the Ulmale–Labraga Lutheran Church. The trail offers views of river bends and steep bank outcrops. The Rīva wooden bridge is another scenic attraction in the area around Jūrkalne. It includes a waterfall and Latvia’s first natural fish passage. Boating takes place on the Rīva River in spring and autumn, so the landscape plays a role not only on foot but also from the water.

Several water sports are also practised in Jūrkalne itself: enthusiasts take part in windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Tandem paragliding flights are also offered year-round in Jūrkalnes pagasts. These various activities range from quiet views of the river and coast to experiences shaped more strongly by the wind and movement on or above the water.

Suiti Culture in the Church, Museum and Library

The Roman Catholic Church of Jūrkalnes Sv. Jāzepa is one of three historic Suiti churches. It belongs to the Suiti cultural space, which has been included on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. This cultural space connects Alsunga, Basi, Gudenieki and Jūrkalne. The church tower was open for visits daily during the summer season; this information describes an earlier opening arrangement and is not a general promise for the present.

The Vētru Museum tells of victims of storms on the Baltic Sea as well as antiques found on the beach or recovered from the depths of the sea. A volume of Jūrkalne’s first and only newspaper, “Maģie Suiti”, is on display in the Jūrkalne Library. Jūrkalne Tautas nams is housed in a former inn built in the mid-18th century. The ethnographic ensemble “Maģie suiti” is tasked with preserving and promoting Suiti traditions.

Regional culture also includes practical and culinary insights. At the Suitošanas masterclass, the ensemble offers traditional dishes such as žograuši, spēkrauši, vētras rauši and milk fish soup. The Jūrkalne Public Centre and Library has a room for weavers and events on the second floor. Vējturu nams is a nature concert hall on the grounds of Jūrkalne Nature and Recreation Park. It can be used by the municipality, the public and businesses for public and private events.

Stories and Crafts in the Surrounding Area

In the area around Jūrkalne, the “Cerību bura” monument marks a place from which part of the Latvian population fled to Sweden between autumn 1944 and spring 1945. The Bērziņi farm offers another way to experience local culture: wheat and rye bread are made there according to old family recipes. Visitors can bake their own loaves by prior arrangement. Thus, coastal history, nature observation, active days on the water and traditional food culture come together in one place.

For further orientation within the same wider area, there are also Vendzavas, Usma, Liepene, Vārve, Lielirbe, Ventspils, Ventava and Pasiekste.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Ventspils.