Places to visit

::The largest and oldest castle in North Kurzeme. Its building dares back to the 3rd quarter of the 13th century. It was built by Riga Dome chapter for the economic needs. The castle was being built gradually. During the long existence period it has experienced wars, numerous changes of owners, several rebuildings. The castle has twice been on fire – in 1872 and 1905, though renovated and even enlarged. The castle obtained its present look before WW I, the interior of this period has partly remained on the second floor. There are many stories and legends connected with Dundaga castle – about dwarfs’ wedding and Green maiden, about the small shepherd etc. Today the castle is the cultural, recreation and tourism centre of Dundaga community. It houses Dundaga art and music school where the young citizens of Dundaga learn to play the piano, the accordion, the guitar and percussion instruments; make jewellery, ceramics, draw and paint. The castle provides an opportunity to stay overnight in the youth hostel, hire rooms for seminars, conferences, weddings, banquets.

::Built in 1766 under the guidance of the owner of the castle Karl Osten - Sacken. Visiting the church you will notice the altarpiece by Jānis Rozentāls ‘Easter morning’ (1912), but during services and concerts listen to the sound of organ built in 1859 by Latvian peasant Ansis Dinsbergs. In 1935 the church was bestowed a status of an architectural monument. Today there are about 160 members in the parish.

::The foundation stone was laid on July 1st, 1993. The consecration service took place on December 10th, 1995.

::The owner of Dundaga manor Theodor Osten - Sacken laid the foundation stone of the present brick-wall church building in 1866. Destroyed after WW II, it was renovated in 1988. Since 1931 several times a year services have been organised not only in Latvian but also in the Livonian language. The tower is 36 m high, it used to serve as a landmark for ships. At present the parish consists of about 40 members.

::A memorial sign (erected in 1995) dedicated to the history of Kurzeme and the strong men of Dundaga, also a reminder of the former Dundaga citizen Arvīds Blūmentāls (1925 - 2006) – a great adventurer and crocodile hunter – and his adventures in Australia. He has been the prototype for Paul Hogan’s movie ‘Crocodile Dandy’. The sculpture of a crocodile is a present to Dundaga from Norberts Klaucēns, the Honour Consul of Latvia in Chicago, USA. The crocodile weighs 2 tons.

::A heap of stones – dedication to the father of Latvian folk songs Krišjānis Barons – has been piled at the beginning of 1990’s by a group of people under the guidance of Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis and sculptor Vilnis Titāns. Krišjānis Barons lived in Valpene half a manor and learned in Kubalu school. The names of the neighbouring houses have been carved on the stones.

::The house was built in a structure of horizontal wooden logs in 1842 and it was the first school in Dundaga area (closed in 1964). You can visit the museum and become acquainted with the living and working place of a teacher and writer Ernests Dinsbergs from May 1st to October 31st by reserving your visit. Phone Nr.: 63254335, e-mail: kubalmuz@dundaga.lv, www.dundaga.lv/ksm

:: One of the longest natural sand cave system in Latvia (about 70 metres long). The sandstone caves were found in 1988 by a group of natural scientists under the guidance of Guntis Eniņš. Survey available only from outside.

:: Slitere Blue hills are the former coast of the ancient Baltic Sea lake (11500-10000 years old). The semicircle slope along the northern side of Kurzeme forms the borderline between Dundaga rise and Maritime lowland. Its top is about 75 m above the sea level, but on the slopes there are lots of sandstone cliffs and deep ravines. In the places the road crossing the Blue hills one can have a wide view towards the sea.

::Its perimeter of 9.7 metres is the second largest in the Baltic area. The first largest one is giant oak in Tukums district.

::Ancient Latvians’ castle mound (hillfort) in Zilie kalni (Blue hills) slope between the steep ravines of two rivers. There are 20 metres high steep slopes of red sandstone. Located in the territory of Kaļķupe natural reserve.