Kandava is one of the most beautiful provincial towns of Kurzeme where the ancient architecture has been saved. In several places in the Old Town the old cobblestone streets are preserved and special lanterns placed. The hilly topography and wonderful nature views make particularly romantic mood. The first time Kandava was mentioned in recorded history in 1230. Historians have discovered that the vicinity of Kandava had been inhabited since Early Roman Iron Age (2.-4.c.)
The Crusade went through Kandava. In order to secure movements the building of fortified stone wall castle was begun. In century 13th The Livonia Order built Vogt castle in Kandava. Next to the castle developed town of German craftsmen and traders with local market, workshops and church. Workshops and groceries were located around the Old Market Square. At that time there the main roads, later streets crossed and even today these streets are named Sabiles and Talsu. In 1625 Kandava was granted the rights of small village. After that Kandava bloomed becoming the market center of nearest surrounding area.
The planning of the town is divided into two parts – on the left bank of river Abava there is the Old Town with a web of streets directed towards center, on the right bank – New Kandava.
In 20th c.Kandava was outlined against other provincial towns of Kurzeme with the major number of stone buildings. That special feeling of Old Town is formed thanks to closed inner courtyards and two-storied household buildings with galleries. At the end of 19th c. there were 9 hotels and inns in Kandava. Several buildings of hotels and inns with original thoroughfare built in 18th-19th c. are preser ved. On street Sabiles still you can find a hotel. Many buildings in Kandava are built in Neo-Gothic st yle, including society building, nowadays the House of Culture. Impressive landscape is the North part of street Lielā, called Vējspārns (the Windwing or the Wing of Wind). There many buildings on hillside are built in several levels. The old part of Talsu street still is cobblestone street with stone wall enclosure. The steepest slope of Lielā street – the Windwing – with its old cobblestone is very popular place for painters.
Cultural institutions in the county
6 Houses of Culture
-Kandava House of Culture
-Matkule House of Culture
-Valdeķu House of Culture
-Vāne House of Culture
-Zante House of Culture
-Zemīte Folks House
7 Libraries
-Kandava City Library
-Kandava Parish Library
-Cēre Parish Library
-Matkule Parish Library
-Vāne Parish Library
-Zante Parish Library
-Zemīte library
1 Tourist Information Centre
6 Open air stages
1 Museum – Kandava Regional museum
4 Small museums and collections
2 Art galleries
1 Craft Centre
KANDAVA REGION
Territory: 648,55 km2
Inhabitants: 8473
Population density (people per/km2): 13
Administrative centre: Town KANDAVA (Territory: 9,50 km2 ; Inhabitants: 3831)
6 PARISHES:
Kandava parish (Territory: 167,68 km2; Inhabitants: 1378)
Cēre parish (Territory: 47,76 km2; Inhabitants: 536)
Matkule parish (Territory: 63,07 km2; Inhabitants: 597)
Vāne parish (Territory: 166,33 km2; Inhabitants: 878)
Zante parish (Territory: 96,1 km2; Inhabitants: 551)
Zemīte parish (Territory: 98,11 km2; Inhabitants: 702)
The name of Kandava is associated with the green nature, thinking and business environment- key industries are wood processing, agriculture, cattle-breeding and green tourism. The region is proud of its schools, strong sports and cultural traditions. Region has always been active in sports life. Celebrations take place in Kandava city and parishes as well as sports festivals with a variety of amusement and team games.
The name of Kandava is also associated with the art. Art plenaries have taken place in summer in Kandava for more than twenty years. Their theme and content are changing and expanding each year. New art objects are created in the city during these plenaries that perfectly improve the charm of the provincial town Kandava.
Kandava is proud of the oldest stone bridge in Latvia and during the Duke times constructed Powder Tower, as well as the newly created Promenade with seven bridges. The Promenade is created as a place of recreation for adults and children. It is thought about newly married couples- according to the wedding traditions seven bridges have been built over the stream in the area of the Promenade. Thus Kandava is the only place in Latvia where seven bridges are located in one place. A sculpture in the form of an acorn is situated in the centre of the Promenade. A symbol of Kandava -an acorn dominates in the whole area of the Promenade- seven acorns, which tell about the history of the city, are located on the edges of the paved footpathes.