Saulkrasti (translated as "Sunny Shores", formerly Neubad in
German) is a city (since 1991) in Latvia, the administrative center
of the Saulkrasti region.
The area of the city is 4.8 km².
The town is adjacent to the 17 km long Vidzeme seaside strip, from
Lilaste to the Limbaži region border in Skulte.
Saulkrasti is
a city of four rivers: Inchupe, Peterupe, Kishupe, Age. The city is
surrounded by numerous dacha cooperatives: Silmala, Peterupe,
Yubileiny, Selga, Kishupe, Saule, etc.
From 1949 to 1956
Saulkrasti was the administrative center of the Saulkrasti region.
Peterup Church. She is one of the witnesses of history in
Saulkrasti. The church has an ancient history, as evidenced by the
fact that today's church building is already the fourth. Ancient
manuscripts report that already in the 13th century, when the
crusaders came to Latvia, a wooden prayer house or chapel was built
on a hill near the river, which was named after St. Peter. Over the
past time, a settlement has formed around the pastor's estate and
the church - the village of Peterupe (referred to in documents as
Peterskapelle).
Latvian Bicycle Museum. The collection is
completed with the most interesting from a technical point of view
examples of bicycles found in Latvia, demonstrating the history of
their development. In addition to bicycles, the collection includes
a wide variety of items related to the use of bicycles, circuit
cycling races, cycling societies and bicycle manufacturing. The
exhibition includes a large collection of trademarks (emblems) of
Eastern European bicycle companies.
White dune. It is one of the
most beautiful coastal dunes in Latvia with an equally beautiful
view of the Vidzeme coast. For these purposes, a special observation
deck has been equipped where you can relax. From the White Dune
along the sea coast, a 3.6 km long walking trail of the sunset has
been created. The white dune overlooks the mouth of the Inchupe
River (pictured).
Linden trees Catherine. Near the White Dune
there are Katrina (Ekaterina) lime trees. The legend says that the
linden trees were planted by the Russian Empress Catherine II, when
during her trip she stopped to rest in Pabazhi (Neibad) and even
bathed in the sea here.
The ruins of the restaurant complex
"Varava" (1969, architect Petersons, engineers Frantsmanis and
Landberg) - one of the best public buildings erected in Latvia in
the 60s. His project is strongly influenced by the ideas of the
American architect F.-L. Wright and the Principles of Organic
Architecture. The elegant building was constructed of glass and
concrete on the very crest of a dune ridge; from its terraces there
was a stunning view of the sea and dunes covered with pine trees.
Around the building there was a small park with a decorative pool,
fountains, recreation areas and a stone descent to the sea. The
restaurant existed until the early 90s. and was finally closed in
1994, after which it began to collapse. Currently, the remains of
the building are mothballed and surrounded by a fence. The local
authorities have no plans for his further fate yet.