Tukums is a small town surrounded by gardens and situated at the threshold of Kurzeme. Its inhabitants have always associated themselves with the region as their character reflects all the traditional traits of Kurzeme people: pride, wealth, spite and resilience.
Tukums is a place where the tranquil of a small town can co-exist with the high tempo of contemporary life – a loud and cheery party does not exclude a more tempered tour of the museum. The old town with its rustic cobbled streets and old houses is excellent for romantic walks in a company of friends or in a couple. It is also an ideal place for artists of all generations to nourish their inspiration and creativity.
What to see?
Durbe Manor
Durbe Manoris one of the most interesting castles of classicism style in Kurzeme. It was built in the year 1671 and has been reconstructed on several occasions. The castle obtained its current appearance in the period from 1820–1923 according to the reconstructions designed by the architect J.G.A.Berlitz.
Ruins of Vecmoku Manor
Kalnmuiža Manor
Kalnmuiža Manor, also called Kalnamuiža Manor in Latvian and Hohenberg in German, is a medium-sized former private manor in Kandava Municipality on the left bank of the ancient Abava River valley, 10 km away from Kandava.
Zemīte Manor
The first known owner of the Zemīte manor estate was “Tall Klauss”, who in the first part of the 15th century was mentioned as the heir to the fiefdom of Zemīte. It is believed that the present-day manor or the masters’ quarters were built around 1850, when a park was also set up around it. The neorenaissance style tower was, most likely, built as an extension tot the already existing building
The Ancestor Oak-tree in Kaive (Kaives Senču ozols)
Ķemeri National Park
Ķemeri National Park – it is a very versatile territory of 38 165 hectares. Human activity has had relatively small influence on this territory, mainly just in the fishermen’s villages and in the agricultural lands in the area of Slampe, therefore the park is the dwelling place for many rare and protected plant and animal species in Latvia and in Europe. Ķemeri National Park offers specifically created routes, and the tourists can visit the park with a tour-guide from ĶNP or individually.
Dunduri (Gadfly) Meadows
A walk along the pasture grounds of auroch cows and horses on the banks of reinstated stream of Slampe in the meadows of Dunduri is possible owing thanks to the support provided by the World Wildlife Fund and the Large Herbivorous Foundation fund; the organizations purchased 15 auroch cows from Belgium to be introduced to Ķemeri National Park and 10 specimens of Konik Polski breed horses were acquired in Pape. The most heart-warming the herds of these large animals are during the summer time, when the newly born foals and calves join the pack. In the beginning of 2013 there were 29 cows and 48 horses. For the convenience of visitors, a parking lot has been built next to the meadows of Dunduri. A 5 metre tall watchtowers has also been erected, and information stands have been set up.
Vineyeards and sheep farm Mazburkas
The Bee house
Created with lots of love, the Bee House offers relaxation and re-energising by lying down in “bee beds”. Sleeping on bees relaxes the whole body, allowing to relax from stress and rush of daily lives.
Sculpture Koks-Kubs (Tree-Cube)
Sculpturewas created by a sculptor – resident of Tukums – Evija Rabkēviča. It was her graduation work for the Riga Art and Design Secondary School. The sculpture was set up in year 2004.
The Small Architectural Sculpture Vīzija (Vision)
The Small Architectural Sculpture was made by the sculpture students – Elīna Kalniņa and Evija Rabkēviča – both from Tukums. The sculpture was set up in year 2003.
Monument Mother – Homeland
The monument was set up on the Cemetery Hill (Kapu kalns) in 1985 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II. Its author is the sculptor Lidija Līce. The monument depicts a mother with her head down, grieving over the sons who died in the war.
Buck’s Hill
Buck’s Hill (Āža kalns) is 480–520 metres long and around 109 m tall (though some sources say it is 123 m tall). The hike up the hill is like an offer of a small adventure, which is why we call it the Buck’s Trail (Āža taka).
Werewolf’s Throat in Rauda Forest
If you are at the Werewolf’s Throat – beware! People often get lost here. The marked trail leading out of the “throat” will also have some obstacles.
Secret Keeper’s Eye
Not a hundred metres away from the Lousy Oak and just a couple dozen metres away from the tail of the Buck’s Hill, there is another unique natural formation — two funnel-type dips – two Eyes. It is possible that both holes formed as glaciers melted.
The explanation offered by researchers of Latvian sacred sites and magic rites is not an official version, but certainly a more interesting one. They call these dips on both sides of the road the Devil’s Eyes.
Lousy Oak (Draņķozols)
Even many locals struggle to find the Lousy Oak, entwined in distressing legends. Chronicles of the 15th and 16th century already mention a very large, mature oak-tree where many witches and Devil’s servants were hanged and burnt. During the serfdom, farmers who were driven into desperation used to commit suicide by hanging themselves off the oak branches. Even in the more recent times, this is where people have mysteriously gone missing here. The tree fell in the fall of 2015 after vandals burnt it down, but the place has not lost its peculiar energy.
The sage Māris Zvaunis tells about the oak-tree: “The Lousy Oak (Draņķozols) is growing at the intersection of three underground water streams. To survive in a place like that, you have to become nasty, whether you want it or not. The tree has a massive negative energy. You shiver as you stand near it, claims Ralfs Kokins in his book “Kurzemes vilkaču nostāsti.” But the most interesting place is the ditch right beside it — the dual world border between the positive and negative energy. Nowhere in the nature you can see such a marked borderline — as if carved with a sword.”
