2013 www.ventspils.lv · www.visitventspils.com VENTSPILS THE CITY ON THE MOVE CONTENTS Useful: 20 15 Events in Ventspils in 2013 Nature Tourism in Ventspils 21 Organizing Conferences 16, 17 and Seminars in Active Recreation Ventspils 22, 23 4–7 18, 19 Tourism Service in Living History Capital of Flowers Ventspils and Fountains 8–13 24, 25 Entertainment and Ventspils County Recreation for Adults and Kids 26–28 14 How to get to Ventspils Recreation by the Baltic Sea for the Whole Family Family and Recreation 3 Friendly City Welcome to Ventspils – the hospitable seaside city, where harbour and Blue Flag beach live in perfect harmony; the city which is proud of its language of Vents, its own flag and even its own currency – vents; the city which always welcomes its guests with an open heart. The festive and joyful atmosphere is always present in Ventspils – this year the Port of Ventspils will celebrate its 750th anniversary, the city itself will turn 723, but in the end of July Ventspils will gather participants of the International Regatta. There is a certain charm in the already traditional values – the cow sculptures, which have grown in number after already two Cow Parades, the Livonian Order Castle, which welcomes the locals and city guests with light, beautiful rooms and a new exposition after the renovation of its 2nd floor, as well as many flower sculptures, now joined by the Flower Cow, Ladybird Family in Pārventa, Basketball and the fourth rabbit in the Rabbit Family. The ancient narrow-gauge train Mazbānītis, which is a full-scale participant of Ventspils transport and in summers takes travellers Facts about Ventspils from the Seaside Park to the Adventure Park; the lively world of games and playing – Children’s Town and Children’s Park Fantasy; City rights since 1378 fountains greeting visitors with water splashes; the white sand Area: 55.4 km2 (including 38% forests, parks, and water) beach living up to the standards of a Blue Flag beach and many Population: ~38,000 other wonderful things and places should also be remembered. Distance from Riga: ~190km Sea coastline: ~12km Lake: Būšnieku Lake River: Venta City logo City emblem City flag Also awards serve as living proof to the variety and dynamic development of Ventspils: • 3rd place in the category “Senior Citizens Friendly Environment” of the European Commission Awards “European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012”; • Nomination “European Local Government of the Year 2012. Awards for the campaign “Ventspils money – vents”: • Three awards in the festival of creative excellence “ADwards 2012” – Grand Prix, winner of the public vote, golden medal in the category of integrated campaigns; • Two awards in the 13th international advertising festival “Golden Hammer” – golden hammer in the category of advertising campaigns and silver hammer in PR category; • 13. Kiev International Advertising Festival – silver award in PR category; • Competition “Password 2012” – first place in the low-budget category of the competition; Ventspils Tourism www.visitventspils.com • European Excellence Awards 2012 – first place in category Information Centre “Launch” (launching campaigns) and jury’s award for creativity and innovative approach. and the Bank of Vents • Information about sightseeing, There is so much to see and do in Ventspils! Guests can enjoy events, recreation, transport, and good accommodation, cafés, restaurants and pubs for any accommodation taste. The city surprises its visitors with varied cultural and • Guided tours with certified Ventspils guides entertaining events, festivities, concerts and festivals. • Tourism maps, brochures, and souvenirs Visit the beautiful seaside city and see it exactly as you want to... • Information on vents and their usage See you in Ventspils! www.visitventspils.com 4 LivinG historY The Livonian Order Castle The Livonian Order Castle in Ventspils is the oldest medieval (13th century) fort in Latvia, the original dimensions of which have been preserved almost unchanged. Since 2001, the Livonian Order Castle has been home to Ventspils Museum and every step here reminds that the history is still alive. Rooms on the 2nd floor after an extensive renovation delight every history and culture devotee and the broad range of expositions tells about the history of the city, the harbour and Ventspils County. The spirit of different eras surrounds events, lectures on art and history, exhibitions, and concerts. After visiting the castle, you can enjoy the exquisite meals at the medieval tavern “The Black Piglet” (Melnais sivēns). The Livonian Order Castle offers the following educational programs: · “History Tuesdays”- lectures · “My Museum – My Castle” for adults on the history · “Medieval Times in the Castle” of the city and county of · "Ventspils Paper Dolls” Ventspils · “Deer Park Stories in the Castle” · “Twilight in the Castle” – · Creative workshop “The an exciting night tour in Making of a Doll" cooperation with the · "Let's Get to Know the castletavern "The Black Museum Together with the Piglet" Black Piglet" A vents are here accepted Address: Jāņa iela 17, Ventspils Phone/fax: +371 63622031 Open: 10:00–18:00 (Tuesday–Sunday), closed on Monday www.muzejs.ventspils.lv 5 Seaside Open-Air Museum Here you can see evidence of the lives of Latvian and Livonian fishermen and farmers: boats, accommodations, granaries, hothouses, even windmills and anchors. One of the newest exhibit of the museum is Lielirbe Baptist House of Prayers which is almost 100 years old and interests its visitors not only with the unique exposition about the Baptism Movement in Ventspils County and in Latvia, but also as a venue for spiritual events, weddings, christenings, and concerts. The most favourite entertainment of the museum is taking a ride with Mazbānītis – a row of passenger carriages pulled by a 1916 steam engine on narrow-gauge railway. On Mazbānītis, you can take an unhurried ride all the way to Adventure Park, looking at the historical station building, depot and station replicas on the way. In 2012, the railway exposition of the museum gained another renovated steam engine. Ancient traditions are observed in the various festivities celebrated in the museum, and craftsmen markets and other events are also regularly organized. Museum offers the following educational programs: · “Bread Baking” · “Weights and · “Butter Churning” Measurements” · “Straw Dolls · “Lost and Found in the · “Making Coloured Yarn” Museum” A vents are here accepted Address: Riņķa iela 2, Ventspils; phone: +371 63624467 Open: From May 1 to October 31: 10:00–18:00, closed on Monday From November 1 to April 30: Museum is open on request, booking in advance www.muzejs.ventspils.lv 6 House of Crafts House of Crafts (Amatu māja) is established in the renovated school building of the Duchy of Courland from the 18th century turning this building into a state-of-the-art object of culture and sightseeing. As during the 19th century there was a regional school here, where also the great compiler of Latvian folklore Krišjānis Barons studied, an authentic classroom has been set up in the House of Crafts. There are photo, weaving and pottery workshops in the building, as well as a souvenir shop “Ventiņpūrlād”. Exhibitions of art and crafts are regularly held here, as well as symposiums of ceramics and graphics. Ostgals Peculiar, romantic setting with quiet cobbled streets and attractive wooden buildings from the 19th century. Ostgals (Harbour-End) is recognised as a national monument of urban construction. House of Crafts offers the following educational programs: · “How K. Barons Studied" · “Nine Crafts” · “Rag Dolls” · “Family Tree” · “Caligraphy" · “Learning of the Meadows” · “Ancient Shoes" · “Ancient Games and · “Retro Photo” Pastimes” A vents are here accepted Address: Skolas iela 3, Ventspils; phone: +371 63620174 Open: 10:00–18:00 (Tuesday–Saturday), closed on Sunday, Monday www.muzejs.ventspils.lv Ventspils Marketplace Side to side with modern merchants the Marketplace is also weights and measurements, and a well home to carillon clock tower that rings every hour, but that is covered with city’s coats of twice a day – at 12:33:44 and 00:33:44 – plays a special tune arms and on sunny days turns into marking the astronomical time of Ventspils; exposition of a sundial. A commemorative coin made in the coin-machine will serve as a lovely memory of your visit to the Marketplace. 7 Ventspils Old Town Town Hall Square and the cultural quarter around it have always been considered the pearl of the old town. It is home to St.Nicholas Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ventspils Main Library, Digital Centre, where Ventspils residents and guests are offered computer and Internet labs, International Writers' and Translators' House with creative atmosphere for writers and litterateurs. Culture Centre is right nearby, always welcoming guests with concerts, theatre performances and entertaining events. A Ventspils Digital Centre Address: Akmeņu iela 3, Ventspils; phone: +371 63607607 www.digitalaiscentrs.lv Ventspils International Writers’ and Translators’ House Address: Annas iela 13, Ventspils; phone: +371 63623595 www.ventspilshouse.lv Ventspils Main Library Address: Akmeņu iela 2, Ventspils; phone: +371 63623598 www.biblioteka.ventspils.lv Ventspils Culture Centre Address: Kuldīgas iela 18, Ventspils; phone: +371 63624796 www.kulturascentrs.ventspils.lv 8 Entertainment and Recreation for Adults and Kids Water Amusement Park Children’s Town Ventspils residents and visitors have