The small, tulked town of Tukums is located on the west coast of the Gulf of Riga, only 65 km from the Latvian capital. Based on the intersection of trade routes leading to Prussia, almost for three centuries Tukums is under the rule of the Livonian Order, for whose needs a stone castle is erected at the end of the 13th century. After the fall of the Order in 1561, this castle, together with the settlement formed around it, passes to the Duke of Kurland.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the castle, destroyed as a result of numerous wars, loses its strategic importance. Today the only reminder of the old times is the castle tower, which has been preserved since then - now the museum of the history of the city.
The information center of Tukums is located at: Talsu street, 5. Work schedule: Mon-Fri. 9: 00-18: 00, Sat. 9: 00-15: 00 (May-September), Sun 10: 00-14: 00 (June-August).
How to get here
Every hour Tukums stops intercity buses from Riga, following to Kuldiga, Talsi, Ventspils and Liepaja. The journey time from 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on the route, the ticket price is about 2 LVL one way.
From the same Riga to the Tukums railway station there are trains running about 13 times a day. The journey takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. The ticket price is 1, 75 lats one way.
Search for tickets to the city of Riga (nearest a / p to Tukums)
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Tukums
One of the main attractions of Tukums is the Durbe Castle, built in 1671 in the style of classicism .Repeatedly reconstructed its present appearance, the castle found only much later, in 1820-1923 gg .Today, Durbe is adorned with a landscape park, broken here in the 19th century, with a rotunda and a stone bridge across the ravine .On the first floor of the castle, interiors of the 19th century were preserved, and in one of the outbuildings there is an exhibition of old objects of Latvians everyday life .For visitors the castle is open daily except Monday 10: 00-17: 00, on Sun .11: 00-16: 00, the cost of the admission ticket is 1, 5 lats .
Museum of the history of the city
About the inhabitants of Tukums the guests will be told the exposition of the museum of the history of the city, located in the tower of the ancient castle of the Livonian Order. The museum is open to visitors every day except Monday 10: 00-17: 00, in the Sun. 11: 00-16: 00. The cost of admission is 0, 6 lats. Guide services are paid extra. In one of the oldest wooden buildings of the city is the gallery of modern art Durvis, founded in 1988. The gallery is open to visitors пн.-сб. 09: 00-15: 00, Tues-t. 09: 00-15: 00, admission is free.
Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity
Stunning views of the city from a bird's eye view can be admired from the observation deck of the 20-meter tower of the Holy Trinity Church - one of the oldest buildings in the city. The church is notable for four colored stained-glass windows and a tower clock, every quarter of an hour beating time. The tower is open to visitors every day except Monday and Saturday 09: 00-17: 00, in the Sun. 09: 45-10: 45, the cost of the entrance ticket is LVL 0, 5.
Old city
A favorite place for not only city dwellers but also visitors of the city is the Brivibas Square, decorated with a fountain, flower beds and benches for recreation, where a Rose Festival is held every year in early July.
The Art Museum and the straw workshop
In Tukums there is the first art museum in Latvia and the first straw workshop. The Tukums Art Museum, which has existed for more than 75 years, is known for one of the most valuable collections of Latvian art of the first half of the 20th century. To date, his collection is represented by the works of Janis Rozentals, Wilhelm Purvit, Gedert Elias, Janis Walter, Ugi Skulme and other artists. The museum is open to visitors every day except Monday 11: 00-17: 00, Sat-Sun. 11: 00-16: 00, the cost of the admission ticket is 0, 6 lat.
In the Tukums straw workshop, decorative figurines and souvenirs made of 100% natural materials are displayed, which will perfectly decorate the house or the garden. Visit - on a preliminary call by phone. +371 29495746, the cost of admission ticket is LVL 1, 5.
Neighborhoods Tukums
In the vicinity of Tukums there are beautiful castles and estates - Jaunmoku Castle, Jaunpils Castle, Kuksu Manor and others.
Once the hunting castle of Jaunmoku was built in 1901 by the order of the mayor of Riga George Armeysted and today it is one of the most famous brick buildings in Latvia.
The prices are indicated as of July 2013.