From Riga: Medieval Castles & Legends Tour: Lielvārde & Koknese｜Latvia

Discover the legendary medieval treasures of Latvia - Ikšķile, Lielvārde and Koknese - with me, your local Bearded Guide.

Your journey starts in Ikšķile, which became the center of Livonia Bishopric in 1185. Today you can marvel from a distance at the ruins of Ikšķile Church on St. Meinard's Island - the oldest masonry ruins in the Baltics, now located in the middle of the Daugava River. Here, I’ll share tales of when the first Christian missionary arrived in the Baltics and what the banks of the Daugava River looked like at that time.

Next, you’ll go to Lielvārde, where you can see ruins of Lielvārde Bishop's Castle, which was built at the steep bank of the Daugava River before 1248, overlooking this important medieval waterway. In the surrounding park, among the wooden sculptures and scenic views of the Daugava River, I will tell you the story of our local superhero Lāčplēsis (Bear slayer), who fought the Dark Knight.

Your final stop will be the Koknese Medieval Castle ruins - one of the largest and most significant medieval castles in the territory of Latvia. Koknese Medieval Castle remains one of the most picturesque places between the two rivers — Pērse and Daugava. In medieval Latvia, whoever controlled the Daugava River held all the power.

This tour is for anyone who enjoys history, nature, and compelling legends, and wants to explore more of what Latvia has to offer.