DESTINATION: SĒLIJA

Undiscovered islands of Sēlija

Sēlija is one of Latvia’s historical regions. Located on the left bank of the River Daugava, it borders Lithuania and Belarus.

Characteristic features of the region are scenic small farmsteads, churches of various confessions, hills and wetlands, small towns and villages, local dialect and traditional foods such as potato dumplings stuffed with meat, cottage cheese pancakes and beaver gland infusion – a renowned natural medicine. There are strong traditions of social life in Sēlija region, neighbours, families and friends all come together on important occasions and events such as open air dancing parties, beer tasting as part of the brewing process, “pig funeral” – slaughtering of a farm pig where neighbours are invited to feast on meat and sauerkraut. In Sēlija, historic tradition lives along well with modernity.

In earlier times, people lived in settlements surrounded by forests, marshes and meadows. These settlements were called islands and each had a name, for example, Island of Birds, Island of Swans. Each island had its own laws and traditions. In Dviete parish, during the spring flood which is called the 5th season of a year, islands can be distinguished as elevated land plots with farmsteads on them. Today, one can visit 17 islands and experience the special identity of the Sēlija region.

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Available activities

  • THE TRADITIONS OF SĒLIJA REGION AT THE RURAL HOMESTEAD GULBJI

    THE TRADITIONS OF SĒLIJA REGION AT THE RURAL HOMESTEAD GULBJI

    THE TRADITIONS OF SĒLIJA REGION AT THE RURAL HOMESTEAD GULBJI

    Package type: half day
    Season: April–October
    For whom: groups (min. 10–max. 50 pers.)

    170 km from Riga

    The “Gulbji” Selonian homestead is one of the very few places in Latvia where one can see a farm characteristic of the historical region of Selonia with its typical buildings. “Gulbji” homestead is comparatively far from major roads and populated areas and located in a landscape with forests, natural meadows and hills, the property also has a lake, a spring and ponds.

  • SAILING DOWN THE RIVER WITH THE “SĒLIJA BOATS” ORGANISATION

    SAILING DOWN THE RIVER WITH THE “SĒLIJA BOATS” ORGANISATION

    SAILING DOWN THE RIVER WITH THE “SĒLIJA BOATS” ORGANISATION

    Package type: half day
    Season: April–October
    For whom: individuals / groups (min. 1–max. 50 pers.)

    Riga 145 km

    The “Sēlija Boats” organisation is located at the “Skārdupītes” homestead, which is some 5 km from Aknīste and on the side of the P73 Vecumnieki–Nereta–Subate road.  The area is being developed for active tourism, hoping that visitors will be able to stroll around the nearby forests and wetland meadows, learn all about the history of boating, rent boats and bicycles, stay at well-appointed tent locations, and cook a tasty meal on a campfire after an intensive hike.

Latvia

DESTINATION: ABAVA RIVER VALLEY

DESTINATION: ABAVA RIVER VALLEY
DESTINATION: SĒLIJA

DESTINATION: SĒLIJA
DESTINATION: NORTH VIDZEME

DESTINATION: NORTH VIDZEME
DESTINATION: GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

DESTINATION: GAUJA NATIONAL PARK

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