sandy beach, ~8 km forest paths, 2–3 h wooden trails and steps

Buļļuciems is located in the eastern part of Jūr- veloped into a powerful and rich farm, its fishing mala, at the mouth of the Lielupe river in the Gulf boats sailed not only in the Gulf of Riga and the of Riga. Its name (“Bull Village”) originated from Baltic Sea, but also in the Atlantic Ocean as well the name of Buļļi Manor (Bullenhof). After the as North and Barents Sea. A modern seaside fa- Lielupe river broke free into the sea in 1755 and cility was created with fish processing workshops, formed an estuary in that location, the Buļļi manor dockyard, a ship and equipment repair base, fish grounds were divided into two parts. freezing units, woodworking and other produc- tion areas. In 1992 the fishermen’s collective “Uz- Most of the Buļļi residents were fishermen. It was vara” was transformed into a joint-stock company only in 1910 that the manor lands between the “Jūraslīcis”, which ceased its activities after some streets of Tīklu, Loču and Vikingu were divided for time. summer house construction. Unlike other swim- ming areas, Buļļi was a quiet place of leisure fa- The street names of the Buļļuciems village are voured by the actors of Riga theatres at the begin- closely connected to the region’s rich history. A TOURISM ROUTE ning of the 20th century. whole photo collection could be assembled with the street name plates linked to salmon, nets, an- The Buļļuciems village has always been closely chors, Vikings, ships and masts. linked with fishing. Once, the village was made up In 1962 a nature park called “Ragakāpa” was of only 13 fishermen’s houses. In 1904, the Riga created in Buļļuciems, marking an important pro- Jūrmala Fishermen’s Society was founded. On 18 tected dune forest area, and since 1970 guests June 1947 the Riga Jūrmala Fishermen’s Society can also visit the Fishing Museum, which serves was dissolved and instead the Riga Jūrmala Fish- as a branch of the Jūrmala City Museum since 1 ermen’s Cooperative Association was founded January 2003, called the Jūrmala Open-Air Mu- (called the Fishermen’s Kolkhoz “Uzvara” since seum, and is the largest museum in the city in terms October 1949). Over the years, the kolkhoz de- of area. BUĻĻUCIEMS

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3 NATURE

2 PARK “RAGAKĀPA” LIELUPE

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LĪNIJA TĪKLUTĪK IEL KL 3 U IELA 3. LĪNIJA IEL ENK A URU IELA ŠU IELA IELA LA ČU S LO 8 TĪKLU IELA ŠU IELA KL LA PROSPEKT UĢU IELA U IELA 10 9 K BULDURU PROSPEKT U JŪRNIEK 7 YACHT CLUB ZVE JNIEK “JŪRMALA” U VIKINGU IELA IEL A TOURISM ROUTE

1 2 don’t have any dunes at all. For many spe- cies of plants and animals, dunes are the Ragakāpa Nature Park Tourism object “Boat” (“Laiva”) only suitable habitat. The undergrowth in The Ragakāpa dune is a relatively recent- The beautiful, brightly coloured boat is dunes is very fragile. Once destroyed, it ly-formed dune that has formed over the a popular object with which not only the takes a very long time to recover, so it is past 300 years. It is 12-17 m high, 800 m guests of Jūrmala, but also the city’s resi- forbidden to enter the dunes by vehicle, long and 100 m wide. Even at the begin- dents themselves like to take pictures during build campfires or set up tents. The dunes 1 ning of the 20th century the area was still a their walks along the seaside. At the same on the seashore have formed over several plain of wandering white sand dunes. The time, this beautiful boat serves as a marker centuries. process was gradually stopped by plant- for the beginning of the Ragakāpa nature ing pines, which can grow in such difficult trail, which is located right across, at the be- 4 coastal conditions. To preserve the pine for- gining of the forest. est dunes and coastal nature at the mouth The Mouth of Lielupe River of the Lielupe River, the “Ragākapa” nature 3 in the Sea park was created in 1962, where some The current mouth of the Lielupe River was 2 trees are even more than 300 years old. The Seaside and Dunes formed in 1755. Its 300 m long land strip The park contains 21 specially protected The 24 km long Jūrmala beach is unique and its vast bare dunes are often called The species in : eight species of plants, not only thanks to the white quartz sand, Edge of The World, and here you can enjoy one mushroom, eight insects and four birds. but also its spaciousness. Sunbathing near a true peace and quiet. Historically, a nude Two nature trails wind through the park with the dunes not only lets you enjoy a shade of beach developed in the relatively quiet and information stands, benches, and view- pine trees, but also a private, pleasant ses- secluded part of the seaside. In the 20s and ing platforms with recreation areas. Walks sion of aromatherapy. The Jūrmala beach is 30s of the 20th century, nude sunbathing through such pine groves are healthy, as divided into peaceful and active recreation enthusiasts also frequently visited beaches 3 the sun rays fall through the tall pine trees, areas and equipped with an infrastructure in and , but later moved to warming the air and helping it become sat- for every convenience of its visitors: sea- a more secluded location near the mouth of urated with the phytoncides from the pine side benches, changing cabins, free toilets, the Lielupe River. needles. showers, and foot rinsing stations, board- walks at the trail exits, and children’s play- grounds. Although for Latvians dunes usually don’t seem very special, many parts of the world 4 TOURISM ROUTE

5 and most interesting museum in Jurmala, local library, various children sections and which reveals the daily historical life of fish- local festive events. The King of Ragakāpa ermen in Jūrmala in a very engaging way. In the Ragakāpa Nature Park, on the north- A campfire with firewood and picnic areas 9 eastern slope of the dune you can see a are available for an additional fee. particularly impressive ancient tree: a pine Open: Tue.- Sun.: 10:00–17:00 Kuģu iela 9, lit. 4 called The King (with a trunk circumference (until 18:00 during the summer season). A local architectural monument built during 5 of 308 cm). Once, a Queen also stood next Entrance is free of charge. the 1920s. to the King (with a trunk circumference of Address: Tīklu iela 1A. T. +371 67754909; 318 cm), but it had already lived a long and www.jbmuzejs.lv 10 happy life, so now a smaller pine, called The Princess grows in its place. Naturally 7 Jūrnieku iela formed coniferous tree forests are a treasure A smooth paved road leading through the that needs to be preserved, since they serve Yacht Club “Jūrmala” pine forest of the Ragakāpa Nature Park. as the only refuge for many rare plant and The club was built in 2016 to promote the Pedestrians should note that even though 6 animal species. development of water tourism in Jūrmala. It the traffic here is not intense, it is still a road- contains berths for yachts and motor boats, way, so it is safer to walk on the trail along- 6 and you can also rent a row boat or a SUP side it. board here. From here you can enjoy a view Jūrmala Open Air Museum of the magnificent White Dune – a specially The museum was founded in 1970 as a Pub- protected nature area on the opposite bank lic museum of the fishing kolkhoz “Uzvara”. of the Lielupe River. The open-air museum exposition consists of Address: Tīklu iela 10; jurmalasosta.lv 7 a late 19th and early 20th century coast- al fisherman’s farm, with its characteristic 8 buildings (main house, barn, net shed, a smokehouse for fish, bathhouse and other Vikingu iela 37 buildings), brought from various Jūrmala’s The former culture house of the fishery farm fishing villages, as well as old fishing boats “Uzvara”. The building was constructed and various fishing tools. This is the largest in 1959 and that time it accommodated a 9