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Dzukste Activities

Enjoy the attractions around

Dzukste History

 

​Džūkste parish is bounded by Lestene parish and Slampe parish in Tukums Municipality, Annenieki parish and Jaunbērze parish in Dobele Municipality as well as Jaunpīls parish in Jaunpils Municipality. Total area of the parish is 184.4 km2. There were 1,416 inhabitants in the parish in the beginning of 2018.

​Name “Džūkste” was mentioned for the first time in scripts in early 14th century, but it is assumed that the parish was established in 1980 when it was merged with Pienava parish, and until 1925, it was called Džūkste-Pienava parish. Presumably, it has been named after Džūkste River and Pienava River, whereas, in 1925, it was renamed as Džūkste parish.

Name “Džūkste” has orininated from an adjective denominating swampy, boggy place, also a big puddle. Name “Lancenieki” is associated with marshy meadows, i.e. overflowing, wet meadows. The soil in the parish is really heavy, loamy and wet in many places.  It had many lakes before land amelioration – Grauzdes Lake, Burģu Lake and Čuču Lake, tj name the largest of them.
​ History of Džūkste is related closely to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was founded in 1567 owing to Duke of Courland and Semigalia, Gotthard von Kettler. The masonry building was built in 1689. It was rebuilt for several times, until in 1989, it obtained its high and sleek tower, which completely changed the external look of the building. The church was destroyed in 1944.

​The oldest school was situated in “Ērģelnieki”, founded by a priest Vilperts, whereas the first public schools were founded around 1850, initially in Džūkste and then in Lancenieki. Between 1883 and 1903, Ansis Lerhis-Puškaitis, who started collecting Latvian fairy-tales, worked in Lancenieki School.
​Džūkste was one of first cradles of developing social life of Latvians. In 1871, the parish organized first song days, choirs started their activities and various societies were set up. Džūkste House of Societies was built from 1985 to 1891, and now it serves as the culture centre and Džūkste service centre.

​Territory of Džūkste parish was damaged heavily during the World War II, because military operations took place there between 1944 and 1945. Monuments and memorial places still remind of that period.

​Name of Džūkste parish was brought to wider public by men “who were not afraid to tackle social issues and devote their lives to that end”. The most prominent of them was a teacher, folklore specialist, public figure, gardener and writer Ansis Lerhis – Puškaitis (1859 – 1903; teacher and father of Latvian fairy-tales) who is now commemorated in Džūkste Fairy – tale Museum, built in the territory of parish.

What to see around

 

  • Džūkste Fairy Tale Museum:
    The Museum introduces to Latvian fairy – tales and the father of Latvian fairy-tales, Ansis Lerhis-Puškaotis (1859 – 1903). The museum invites to meet tales, ancient plays, games and calls to play fairytale performances at the Museum of Puppet Theater. (website)
  • Džūkste Church Ruins:
    The church in Džūkste was built already in 1567, then rebuilt for several times, and eventually destroyed at the end of the World War II, during the Christmas Battle. Conservation of the church stone walls was commenced in 2016, whereas construction of the New Church began in September 2017. Architect – Gints Sūna. (website)
  • Monument of Victims of the World War I by Kārlis Zemdega in Džūkste:
     The monument created to honour the victims of the World War I and Latvian War of Independence, sons of Džūkste and Slampe parish, was opened on 17 November 1935. A giant Finnish granite urn, symbolising souls of people passed away and failing to find their home in the motherland, lies in the centre and a mourning woman and soldier with a spear and oak branch are standing on the steps. It is believed to be one of the best work of K.Zemdega. Meanwhile two monuments created by K.Zemdega are situated in Džūkste Cemetery – devote to excellent teacher and organ player Teodors Veidmanis, and school keeper Kristaps Ozols. 
  • Commemorative stone devoted to Gustavs Zemgals, the president of the Republic of Latvia:
    The commemorative stone was set up in 1990, initially at house “Brātiņu” but now – in the Commemorative Park in the center of Džūkste.
  • Monument of the Christmas Battle in Džūkste:
    The monument is devoted to soldiers from Division No.19 of the Latvian Legion, who died during the Christmas Battle. Author – sculptor I. Dobičins, architect – R.Dobičina. Opened on 11 November 1990, but on 5 December was splashed with red paint and blown up by vandals. The blown-up pieces of stone are still lying at the base of the monument.
  • Commemorative stone for the repressed inhabitants of Džūkste:
    The stone was set up in 1989 to commemorate inhabitants of Džūkste, deported in 1941 and 1949.
  • Monument of the Christmas Battle in Penava:
    The Monument of soldiers of the Latvian Legion was created to commemorate the Chrismas Battle, which took place between December 23 and 31, 1944, in Džukste, the monument is situated near the motorway.
  • Commemorative stone of protectors of Courland fortress in “Rumbas”:
    The commemorative stone of protectors of Courland fortress is devoted to the Latvian legionnaires who did not give up in 1944 when faced by a tenfold predominance of Soviet troops. The stone was set up in 1991, in the area of former house “Rumbas”, its author is the remarkable Latvian sculptor Ojārs Feldbergs. Further in the park one can see a monument “Red versus brown” created by sculptor Ģirts Burvis – two split stones with dated of major battles and statistics of casualties and devastation of war cut in the stone.
  • Cinema town Cinevilla:
    The cinema town was created for the purposes of shooting the historical movie “Rīgas sargi” (Riga Guards) (2007). Cinema scenery shows view from the Old Riga and Pardaugava, which were later adjusted also for needs of shooting the movie filmas “Sapņu komanda 1935” (Dream Team)(2012). The Latvian farm was set up to shoot a movie “Rūdolfa mantojums” (Rudolph’s heritage) (2010), but Semigalia castle – to shoot a movie “Nameja Gredzens” (The Pagan King) (2018). (website)
  • Slampe Station:
    A railway line Jelgava – Tukums was opened and Slampe Station, included in the railway line Ventspils – Moscow, was built in 1904. The line was closed for passenger transport in 1998, and now it is being used only for freight trains.
  • Commemorative stone for deported inhabitants of Slampe, “Zelta josta”
    The stone was presented on 14 June 2015. It was created by sculptor Ģirts Burvis, architect Edvins Vecumnieks.
  • “Abavas” vine – celler:
    “Abavas” vine – cellar and vine bar where the visitors can not only taste all offered drinks, but also buy them to take away. (website)
  • Commemorative stone of land amelioration:
    The stone was set up on 19 September 1975 as a commemorative symbol of the last ameliorated hectare of the agricultural land in Slampe village.
  • The Big Ķemeri Heathland foot – bridge:
    The Big Ķemeri Heathland is one of high swamps where small moss – sphagnum – have formed during the last 8,000 years. The foot bridge of the heathland will bring you to the kingdom of moss, marsh pines, pools in a marsh, dark lakes and marsh tea fragrance. The foot – bridge has two branches – the long (3,4 km) and the short (1,4 km).  
  • Dunduru Meadows and observation tower:
    In Dunduru Meadows, situated in the banks of Slampa River, one can look at wild horses and cows and observe meadow birds from the observation tower reaching 5 m of height.
  • Observation platform in Dunduru Meadows:
    Two observation places in territory of Dunduru Meadows and Melnragu Throttle, where Large – scale hydrological regime restoration works have just been completed. A river Skudrupīte has reclaimed its windy shape in 7,5 km of length, after being straightened in 30s of the 20th century, and in future it is going to ensure flood – lands regime in Melnragu and Dunduru Meadows.