The city of Gulbene is saturated with an unusual atmosphere, which combines light romanticism and a heavy time stamp. Not for nothing many centuries ago this place was chosen for its settlement by royal birds - swans. Despite the difficult for cultivation of land and wetlands, the inhabitants of the province were able to turn gray desert lands into a blossoming sunny region.
Gulbene: love and swans
Going on a trip along the Gulbene edge, make sure that there is enough room for your photo on your memory card. The pictures taken here will help forever to capture the incredible places you'll visit.
The narrow-gauge railway "Banitis"
The main attraction Gulbene - the only working narrow-gauge railway track in the Baltic States. It is laid to the city of Aluksne , and has a total length of 33 km. In 2013 the road turned 110 years old.
The width of the track is 75 cm. Three pairs of trains run along the rails daily. Local residents jokingly call them "rural trams". Trains carry passengers and small loads. In special cases and on holidays from the depot go veterans - locomotive KCH4-332 from the Estonian Railway Museum in Lavasaar and the train "Marissa", working on wood.
But most surprises on the narrow line are reserved for tourists. Retrovagony sightseeing train decorated in the early twentieth century. The guide enthusiastically tells about the history of the region and local legends. There are also various entertainment programs. The most popular among them is the "Show of Thieves". The train suddenly stops in the middle of the field and is attacked by robbers. Tourists are taken prisoner and taken to a robbery camp. There they are treated to porridge cooked at the stake, and fried sausages, and entertained by various games.
Architectural sights Gulbene
In Gulbene there are two palaces: the White and Vecgulbensky Red Palace. Although it is difficult to call them real castles. The buildings have a very modest appearance and unpretentious architecture.
The White Palace was built in 1760. They say that Rastrelli was even attracted to his design. The palace is surrounded by several buildings, where previously there were household homestead constructions: a dairy, a servants' house, a kitchen, a barn, a stable, and others. Today, almost all of them are occupied by various institutions, and in the former greenhouse there is a museum of local lore, in which more than 15 thousand antique glass photonegatives have been collected. The white castle was burned several times and rebuilt. Currently, a deep restoration of the palace is being carried out. Vecgulbensky Red Castle was built by Baron Heinrich von Wolff for his beloved wife Marissa.
Among other monuments of architecture it is worth mentioning:
- the building of the Agricultural Savings and Loan Association (built in the Baroque style in 1927);
- Gulbene State Regional Gymnasium , stylized as classicism;
- Evangelic-Lutheran Church , which is very unusual for religious buildings architecture (during the Second World War, the church lost the tower);
- Gulbene Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Sacrament with a very rich beautiful altar.
The city is mostly built up with typical five-storey buildings with balconies on the balconies and small neat cottages. Here you can often see an unusual exterior decor - the residents decorate the exterior of the houses with old wheels.
Monuments and monuments
The most famous and beautiful monumental buildings in Gulbene are sculptures of beautiful swans, personifying the symbol of the city. They are located at the fountain in the central park.
There are other monuments in Gulbene:
- a monument to Martin Luther (there are only two in the world);
- hours on the stele in the city center , donated by Gulbene to entrepreneurs in 1999;
- a monument to freedom fighters of Latvia .
Beautiful sculptures and frescoes also adorn the facades of the White Palace and some buildings built in the XIX and early XX century.
Natural attractions of Gulbene
It turns out that with all its park magnificence the city of Gulbene owes one love story. The owner of the estate Vecgulbene, Baron Heinrich von Wulf, simply did not see a soul in his wife Marissa. He devoted his life to constantly delight and delight his beloved wife.
Henry built for Marissa more and more new castles, sculptures, fountains, built greenhouses and greenhouses, where he grew exotic flowers and plants. Surprisingly, the baron even managed to grow pineapples in boggy, viscous soil.
In the days of this loving couple, Gulbene literally drowned in blooming gardens. Around the estate there was no empty space, everything was planted with beautiful trees and flower beds, cozy arbors, fountains and benches were everywhere.
Walking today in the parks of Sparis and Emzes, you can enjoy the amazing nature and witness the great love that continues to illuminate Gulbene even after several centuries.
Attractions near Gulbene
The Gulbene region has many places in it, which, undoubtedly, are worth a visit:
- the estate of Droviena , in the castle of which today is the primary school (35.3 km);
- Litenskoye estate on the bank of the river, surrounded by a park with lime avenues (19.2 km);
- Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Tirza is the oldest temple in the Gulbene Region (24.6 km);
- Stameriena estate with a very beautiful castle - a sample of this French neo-classicism (14.1 km);
- Manor Ranki , restored after a big fire in the late twentieth century - in the warm season for the tourists also opened a manor park, a church and a library (39.7 km);
- Stameriene Orthodox Church of St. Alexander Nevsky - one of the most impressive and original Orthodox churches in the region (14.1 km);
- Lizum estate , built in the Gothic Tudor style (29 km);
- Velenskaya Evangelichesko-Lutheran Church with the organ of 1898 (23.1 km);
- Wedding Museum (especially recommended to visit engagement couples) - you will find a fascinating excursion, tips, tests and surprises for future newly married couples (5.7 km);
- Lizum windmill - from May to September there are guided tours and various activities (29.4 km);
- nature reserve "Poima Sita and Pededze" , where you can participate in a kind of safari (23.1 km).
The distance to Gulbene is indicated in parentheses.
You can get detailed tourist information and book excursions around the Gulbene region in the information center located in Gulbene on Abel 2.