Tervete Nature Park

Why should you visit?
With a history that dates back to the first millennium BC, Latvia's Tervete Nature Park is a mystical region filled with a heroic past. Tervete ideally rests about 75 kilometers to the south of the capital city Riga. Chronicled stories of ancient Zemgalians battling German, Polish and Russian crusaders in the region represents a humble fighting past amongst the local people. A visit to the three castle mounds (Klostermound, Holymound and Castlemound) offers a distinct glimpse into the area's proud past.

What can you do here?
When it comes to things to do in Tervete, visiting the beautiful Swans Lake is a must. At the lake, boats are available for hire and are an ideal means to enjoy the water. The Lake is known for its plentiful fishing and it is also a great place for bird watching. Other recreational activities that are popular in the park are swimming, cy-cling, camping and winter sports. For a glimpse into Tervete's past, a visit to the Tervete History Museum is strongly recommended. There revelers can see weapons, ornaments and household objects from centuries ago. Another plus (if you happen to be at the museum on the second Saturday in August each year) is the majestic Zemgalians Festival and Craftsmen Fair that takes place there.

What makes the Tervete Nature Park Special?
When it comes to nature, Tervete is famous for its old and especially tall pine trees. The trees for years have been used to make ornate wooden sculptures, some of which have been placed in the park to reflect the fairytale characters of the famous Latvian writer Anna Brigadere's work. The characters in the park, which consist of the King of the Forest, a witch, dwarfs and others, are popular attractions to visit amongst younger people. Even today, you can visit Brigadere's actual house "Spridisi", which con-tains many original furniture pieces and her literary works. For nature lovers, Tervete is home to 72 endangered plants that grow wildly throughout the park. The region is also a haven for many other forms of wildlife such as birds, reptiles and amphibious creatures.