Aerodium

Aerodium Latvia is a company based in Sigulda, Latvia which owns and runs the first vertical wind tunnel in Eastern Europe. The vertical wind tunnel (VWT) is located near Sigulda, the most visited tourist area in Latvia. The company became known after the 2006 Torino XX Winter Olympic Games closing ceremonies, because Aerodium Latvia helped produce the part of the show that featured flying acrobats. The tunnel blows a wind stream of 200 km/h within a diameter of 3.7 meters.

Venta Waterfall

Ventas Rapid or (Ventas Rumba in Latvian) is the widest waterfall in Europe. It falls on the Venta river near town Kuldiga and is 249 metres wide (up to 270 metres during spring floods). It is 1.80m - 2.20m high. The height depends on the water level in the Venta river.
Located about 150km from Riga. You can reach the waterfall by car. From Riga drive to Ventspils direction, until left turn to Kandava, then follow the signs to Kuldiga.

Thanks to author of this image: pineapplejoe301

History of Sigulda

The oldest archaeological statements about the population in Sigulda Region is dated with the 2ND century B.C. They were left by the inhabitants who lived in the settlement, hunted, fished and breed domestic animals. The burial fields near Matiņa Lake and Sigulda Parish “Līgotņi” house testified that during the period from the beginning of our era to the 6TH, 7TH centuries, Vidzeme or Gauja Zemgals’ were living in Sigulda surroundings.
Livs have been in Sigulda Region and its surroundings since at least 11TH century. The ancient decorations found in the archeological research in Turaida and Satesele Castle moulds give evidence about their settlements on both banks of the River Gauja.
At the beginning of the 13TH century, Livs’ inhabited areas were enslaved by Christianity bearers. The conquered territories were shared between Riga bishop and the Order of the Brethren of the Sword. Church states were established – Riga archbishopric and Livonia Order states. Nowadays Sigulda was situated in the parts of both former states.
Name “Sigulda” first time was mentioned in the printings in “Rime” chronic where the construction of the Order of the Brethren of the Sword Castle was described. Segewold instead of “Sigulda” was used later in the medieval documents.
From 1236 to the end of the 16TH century, Sigulda castle belonged to Livonia Order. A small town was established near the castle, which territory was up to contemporary Lutheran church. The city inhabitants mainly were craftsmen and merchants.
After Livonia war (1558 – 1583), when Vidzeme and Latgale got enslaved by Poland-Lithuania state, Sigulda became the centre of headman (headman – the governor of the region). Several manors that later on became a private property were established in the states of the former Order.
During Polish-Swedish war Sigulda castle was destroyed as well as the town. After the notes of farming inspections in1624, there were only 7 families left in the town.
The North War and the Great Plaque made great havoc to Sigulda at the beginning of the 18TH century. During that time the small town near the medieval castle grind to a halt.
After the North War, Sigulda castle mould was typical to its period with the manor centre near the medieval castle and farmers houses in the periphery. Manor owners changed several times.
Significant prosperity of Sigulda was after the railway line Riga – Valka was opened in 1889. The owners of the castle manor Grand dukes Kropotkini started selling the land around the railway station for the summer cottages building. The city design loomed out. Šveices Street was the first street that was one-piece built. The hotel “Hotel Segewold” was opened near railway station. Sigulda developed as a place for tourists and vacationers more and more.
On February 25, 1928 Sigulda got the town rights.
During the World War II, the interesting and beautiful railway station (built in 1925) building was destroyed as well as the bridge over the Gauja (opened in 1937). After the World War II, from 1949 to 1962, Sigulda was the regional centre.
In 1953, historical centres of Krimulda and Turaida were annexed to Sigulda.
The administrative centre of Gauja National Park (founded in 1973) was established in Sigulda at Baznīcas Street.
In 2003, Sigulda Region was established where Sigulda Town, Sigulda Parish and More parish were involved. The total area is 204,5 km2, population - 14 944 (April 14, 2006).

Sigulda

They call it the "Switzerland of Latvia" for its picturesque scenery, making it a favourite place for recreation among both locals and foreigners. It is located only 53 km from Riga, making it an easy day trip.
Sigulda has Latvia’s largest ski resort, and the town offers opportunities for rest, as well as for sports. Each season here has its own charm.

Summer: When the weather is fine, Sigulda becomes a gathering point for those seeking action and extreme sports. Balloon riding or bungee jumping provide plenty opportunity for an adrenaline rush.
Autumn: The bright colouring of the slopes, a clean blue sky and incredibly clear air make autumn in Sigulda gorgeous. It is a Latvian tradition for people to visit Sigulda between the end of September and beginning of November, where they take walks in the vicinity of Turaida castle or just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Winter: Sigulda posesses the premier cross-country and downhill ski resort of Latvia, offering specially equipped and lightened ski-tracks, downhill skiing, and bobsled tracks open to the public.
Local sights and attractions
Turaida Castle(11th century): Though this castle was practically ruined, it has been refurbished
Birini, Krimulda Castles
Gutmana Cave:The deepest cave in Latvia is known for its holy spring
Gauja RiverTake a ride across this picturesque river, suspended high over the water in a cable-car which links the two banks.

Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre

Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) was founded as a structural unit of Latvian Academy of Sciences on 22 July 1994, taking possession over former USSR body property – the object Zvaigznîte (now called Irebene, Ventspils region’s Ances district).

In 1996 VIRAC was reorganized as joint-stock company. Its stock capital was formed of two fully turnable parabolical radio telescope antennas with their main mirror diameter of 32 and 16 meters, as well as all structures, buildings, communications necessary for ensuring the work of these antennas. One of these antennas after its technical parameters is the most precise in Northern Europe.In 2004 VIRAC in Irbene was integrated to Ventspils University College, on its basis scientific institute was founded. The infrastructure of VIRAC was gradually regulated, raising funds of Latvia and EU. In the end of 2005 VIRAC started to buy high-powered space research equipment to expand large-scale scientific and applied research in the future.
The future vision of VIRAC is connected with reaching of 3 aims – development of higher education – especially engineering education, applied space research and basic astrophysics research centre. Presently, active research takes place on localiztion problems of asteroids and space garbage, as well as the Sun. Professional equipment for space research had been delivered lately. The planned work – with students’ help to develop forest fire monitoring in Latvia, to prove the society that research is useful also in national economy.
In all, there are 24 workers in VIRAC. The director of the centre and chief research officer is Dr. hab. phys. Juris Zagars. There are 8 chief research officers working in the centre, 11 specialists in different areas of sciences, 9 of them are Doctors of Science.

You can find detailed information about VIRAC on VIRAC home page http://virac.venta.lv/

HISTORY OF JURMALA

The city of Jūrmala actually consists of a string of small resorts. From west to east, these include Ķemeri, Jaunķemeri, Sloka, Kauguri, Vaivari, Asari, Melluži, Pumpuri, Jaundubulti, Dubulti, Majori, Dzintari, Bulduri and Lielupe.
The area now comprising the city of Jūrmala was formerly part of Riga, known as Rīgas Jūrmala. Some parts of the area, like Sloka and Ķemeri, have been known as health resorts for centuries. Jūrmala was once known in German as Riga-Strand, or "Beach of Riga".
Jūrmala's reputation as a spa destination began in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Wealthy landowners began the tradition of relaxing at the seaside, and Russian army officers came here to rest after the Napoleonic Wars, returning later with their families. The peak of the Jūrmala area's development was the opening of the Riga - Tukums railway in 1877 (which still passes through Jūrmala) that gave a great boost to the numbers of visitors, and thus a boost to the development of the town as a resort. Jūrmala also gained a reputation as a health spa. The sea breeze, pine aroma, mineral springs, and sandy beach encouraged many sanatoriums to develop within the city.
In Soviet times Jūrmala was popular with the Communist officials because of its beach and sanatoriums - holidays were also given as rewards for top union members. It became one of the most popular holiday directions in the whole Union. The spas offered facilities from mud baths to riding therapy and hiking in the woods. In summer there are many concerts.
Jūrmala gained official status as a city in 1959. The railway line became electrified and today it features the most regular train service in Latvia.
Whereas Riga has advanced rapidly to embrace and cater for growing numbers of Western tourists, Jūrmala has lagged behind. Russians are now subject to strict visa requirements and its beaches have yet to attract significant numbers of Europeans leaving the tourist industry with a hard task on its hands. However, during the past few years, Jūrmala has started to recover. Many Russian celebrities, successful businessmen and others have been buying houses near the beach, and lots of different festivals and other activities have brought more and more people to the town each summer. At the moment, Jūrmala has almost achieved the popularity that it experienced by the Soviet elite.

House in Jurmala
The main beach at Majori and another at Bulduri now bear blue eco-flags signaling their safety to swim in, and the Latvian Academy of Science boasts a hotel for its members in the town. There is also the Midsummer Festival in June, celebrating the longest day of the year. The 'Jaunais Vilnis' New Wave (competition) music festival showcases the latest music from all over Europe. The Lonely Planet guide to the region states that it is one of the highlights of Latvia

VENTSPILS INTERNATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY CENTER

Near Ventspils, a city on Baltic Sea, in Irbene there is a 32-meter fully steerable parabolic, centimetre-wave range antenna RT-32 and a 16-meter diameter antenna RT-16. They were taken over by the Latvian Academy of Sciences after withdrawal of the Russian army from Latvia in 1994. On the basis of these antennas and accompanying facilities of the former Space Communication Center, the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center (VIRAC) has been established. The main purpose of the VIRAC is to take part in observations of cosmic sources of natural and artificial radiation in order to accumulate observational data for fundamental and practical research programs in radio astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, geophysics, geodynamics, geodesy, coordinate-time service and other. Currently one of the main VIRAC goals is to become a member of the European VLBI Network (EVN).

See the metal monster. This 32 m in diameter radio antenna was top secret during soviet times, military were spying western satellites with this impressive thingee. Take the excursion inside and outside this monster, it’s worth that, believe me!

(image from www.startlatvia.com)
Get there: next to city Ventspils, go by car, about 3 hours drive from Riga, turn right shortly before Ventspils, go some 10 km and watch for hard-to-spot sign.Pictures, directions, info go here: virac.venta.lv.