Valmiera Tourism

Valmiera

Valmiera is the pearl of the Northern Vidzeme region, infused by modern innovations, nature, culture and historical values. The year of foundation of the town is 1283, when the construction of St Sīmanis Church of Valmiera was started. It is one of the oldest stone buildings in Latvia, combining Romanesque and Gothic styles in its architecture. The River Gauja, often called the city’s main street, runs through Valmiera for 7 km. In Hanseatic times, it was the river that brought traders to Valmiera. Even today, you can take a ride on what is probably the only Gauja tramway in the world and see the city from the river, as merchants did in the Middle Ages. From the 14th to 16th century Valmiera was a member of the Hanseatic League. Although Valmiera is one of the oldest towns in Latvia, relatively little of the Hanseatic heritage has survived due to wars and fires, but the walls of the Livonian Order castle ruins, the medieval fortification outcrops and St Sīmanis Church of Valmiera are today’s visible testimonies of ancient history. Valmiera’s Old Town features the buildings of Valmiera Museum and the museum’s Herb Garden on the banks of the River Gauja. Valmiermuiža Brewery is located near Valmiera, where you can learn about Latvian beer brewing, as well as taste and buy it.

Highlights

St Sīmanis Church of Valmiera

Construction of the church began in 1283. It is one of the most important monuments of sacral architecture in Latvia with a well-preserved medieval spatial structure. It has repeatedly suffered from wars and fires. In 1702, the whole town was burnt down during an attack by the Russian Army, and only the walls of the church remained. Due to this damage, no medieval works of art have survived. The church has now been restored, and it houses several valuable monuments of art. From the tower’s observation deck, you can see the panorama of Valmiera.

Livonian Order Castle Ruins

The ruins of the Livonian Order Castle are fragments of the castle built in the 13th century. Boulders, granite rubble and dolomite were used for the castle’s masonry. The castle was destroyed and burnt down during the Northern War (1702), but the 18th-19th century buildings have been partially preserved on its territory, forming the core of Valmiera’s historic centre and today serving as an important place for recreation and sightseeing

Valmiera Museum

Valmiera Museum is one of the most important repositories of historical treasures in Vidzeme. It holds around 60,000 historical, artistic and archaeological objects, photographs and documents from various places in the region. In the historical centre of Valmiera there is not only Valmiera Museum, but also other museum buildings — the Old Pharmacy (its construction was completed in 1736. This confirms that it is the oldest surviving wooden building in Latvian towns, built in the most archaic style. The building is known to have been a pharmacy from 1756 to 1965), Marschner House, Lieven House, Herb Garden of the museum, etc.

Gauja Tram Ride

Gauja Tram — an unusual floating vehicle — awaits its passengers at the boat dock, where you can leisurely enjoy the pleasant flow of the river water and the charm of the surrounding nature. During the ride, you can enjoy the view of Valmiera’s Old Town and the amazing, untouched nature of the banks of the River Gauja. The tram captain will share interesting stories about the Gauja area and its sights.

Valmiermuiža Beer Brewery

Since ancient times, beer has been brought to the Latvian festive table and enjoyed with both light snacks and hearty meals. There is evidence that in the 17th century, 190 barrels of beer were brewed in Valmiera castle manor. This is why, in order to ensure that the frothy festive drink is rich in tradition, it is brewed at Valmiermuiža Brewery, reviving ancient recipes and ancestral wisdom.