Meet Selonians! Tourism route “Balts’ Road” – two day promotional tour

Date: 21. August 2019 - 22. August 2019

Time: All Day

Zemgale Planning Region is pleased to invite you to take part in a two-day information tour of the new international route “Balts’ Road” to promote the Selonian and Semigallian lifestyle, ancient testimonies of history, traditions and today’s major tourist attractions. Travel with us!

During the tour you will have the opportunity to spend a full and pleasant day, including exploring the history, culture, traditions and landscape of ancient Selonians and Semigallians.

While learning about ancient Selonians you will get to experience such things and places:

Sēlpils hillfort was the Selonian political and economic centre and the seat of ancient Selonian kings. Here you will see the traditional Selonian garb, meet a blacksmith and taste Selonian food. In the  Jēkabpils History Museum Open-air exhibition “Sēļu sēta” (Selonian Courtyard) it will be possible to try butter whipping and making a scrub.  Also in the Craft Centre “Rūme” you will see and hear the story of the Selonian archaeological garb, experience flour milling in a hand mill and much more. Then Viesīte Museum “Selonia” (“Sēlija”) will offer you to make a maple leaf dish and leaf roses, as well as see the ethnographic expositions.

And while meeting the Semigallians you will see such great things as:

Jelgava History and Art Museum of Ģederts Eliass, the largest preserver of Semigallian historical evidence in the Zemgale region, as well as the Tervete Archaeological Complex – the mighty and powerful center of the Semigallians, ruled by the legendary rulers Viestard, Namejs and possibly Shabis. We will also visit the Tērvete Wooden Castle of 12th century built on the basis of archaeological research materials, which allows to show a version of the 12th century Semigallian fortification. And also The Archaeological Complex of Mežotne Hillfort, which once was one of the largest Semigallian castle mounds on the left bank of Lielupe. Also you cannot miss the Dobele Hillfort and Castle Ruins, which witnessed the fierce battles between locals and German knights during the Livonian Crusade in the 13th century!

During the trip you will have the opportunity to visit several interactive exhibitions, as well as climb the Academia Petrina tower and view Jelgava at a 360 degree angle, try one of the oldest Semigallian skills – archery, and forge your own commemorative coin. And also taste the local farms tea and bread.

We would appreciate your responsiveness to this event as well as the interesting coverage of the itinerary and the sites you visit in the internet portal and/or social network resources you represent to inspire other potential travellers to travel in “Balts’ Road”.

Brochure in Lithuanian can be found here: Balts’ Road Couronians, Semigallians, Selonians.

Video: Semigallians, Selonians – Balts’ Road : https://youtu.be/f2JkLXbZxVU

The “Balts’ Road” has been launched this year and covers the Balts tribes – Semigallians, Selonians and Curonians in Latvia and Lithuania. The Balts are made up of several very alike but unique small nations, which in later times united to form Latvian and Lithuanian nations.

Please register for the tour by August 14th here: https://forms.gle/7SBeVfPRJWwGwR879

The meeting place is Jelgava, but you can join in any other convenient place.

Participation in the info tour is free of charge.

The number of places is limited.