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Both residents of the Koknese area and people throughout Latvia know that the largest catfish in the country lives in Daugava.
Koknese Castle Ruins. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
In the last five years alone, Koknese fishermen have caught three of those powerhouses: 69 kg and 2.20 meters long, 86 kg and 2.23 meters long, and this record holder in 2018 was caught by Jānis Ritums and Gunārs Groza: the creature weighed so much. about 100 kg and was grown to 2.45 meters in length.
In 2018, Latvians Jānis Ritums and Gunārs Groza caught a record catfish in Daugava near Koknese: 2.45 m long and 100 kg long.
A sculpture has even been erected in Koknese Park to honor these inhabitants of the depths of the Daugava.
Fishing on the Daugava River is possible only after buying a fisherman’s ticket: for a day – 1.5 euros; per month – 5 euros.
A promising sight: a castle like on the water.
However, this place is special not only because of its impressive nature, but also because of its unique history. At the confluence of the Daugava and Persian rivers are the ruins of the medieval Koknese castle, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church built in 1687 is nearby.
At the initiative of the Archbishop of Riga Albert, the construction of the castle began in 1209. Soon a stone fortress with thick walls and protected by defensive towers rose here.
Koknese Castle Ruins. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
During the Northern War in 1701, the castle was destroyed, but its impressive remaining ruins remain intact ever since. The historic site was in great danger in the middle of the last century, when construction began on the Pliaviniai hydroelectric power station in the vicinity of Aizkraukle.
Despite great public objections, the power plant was inaugurated during the Soviet era: in 1965, many villages, churches and impressive natural objects, such as Staburags Rock, remained after the Daugava water dam. The rising water of the Daugava also reached the foundations of the Koknese castle. So now, at the confluence of the Daugava and Perse rivers, you can see a unique view, like a castle on the water, and here too, the depths of the dammed rivers, which reach 30-40 meters.
Castle overview – a breathtaking waterway
The castle ruins can be seen in various ways: coming to the town of Koknese and walking through the park of the new castle or on the tourist boat “Gulbis” (“Gulbe”). You can descend from the castle ruins on the Daugava River by navigating a picturesque route from the Likimo Garden (Liktendaržs).
You will find the ship at the Likimo sodo pier. A 1-hour boat trip costs between 5 and 7 euros per person, the entire boat can be rented for 70 euros. It is possible to sail in the warm season from May 1.
It costs between € 1.80 and € 5 for a whole family to visit the castle ruins. The visitor center is open during the warm season every day until October 31 from 9 am to 7 pm On the castle territory you can experience a unique attraction: a direct overview of the ruins and the surroundings of the Daugava river with glasses virtual reality, where you will see a live image of a bird’s flight. The price of this service is 1 euro / min.
The garden of destiny is a reminder of the pain of the Latvian people
The Plaviniai hydroelectric power station, which started operating in the second half of the last century on the Daugava river near Koknese, formed a 33 ha island. In 2005, it was decided to establish a garden of historical memory and the nation’s gift to Latvia: “Liktendarzs” (“Garden of Destiny”). This garden is dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of the Latvian people in the fight for the freedom of the nation against the repressors of the 20th century.
Garden of Destiny in Koknese. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
In 2008, with the planting of the first 100 apples, the garden officially became operational. The author of the creative idea of the garden is a landscape architect from Japan, Shunmyo Masuno, who combined natural processes and human activities into a harmonious whole.
Garden of Destiny in Koknese. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
The Garden of Destiny is an ongoing project, as visitors can contribute to its creation each time they visit. Additional financial assistance will be paid with first and last name engraved in the central block alley leading to the oak-planted amphitheater on the banks of the Daugava River. You can also contribute to the garden by bringing a simple pebble from the field, from your own country. Each stone brought will become part of the “Misty Sunset” sculpture, in honor of the Latvian people who suffered the repression.
Five Latvian flags were raised in the amphitheater of four Latvian regions, and a fifth of the people who fought for the freedom of Latvia and died.
Probably the most impressive time in the Garden of Destiny is in November, when the sun sets on the other side of the river and the sun sets on the other side of the river.
There are observation decks in the garden, from which a wide channel of the Daugava River opens, the ruins of the Koknese Castle and the whole of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. A visit to the Garden of Fate costs EUR 1 per person. The garden is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.
For the hungry – a local celebrity – catfish
After a breathtaking trip to the Garden of Destiny, the promising valleys of the Daugava and Perse rivers and the ruins of the Koknese castle, culinary masterpieces of Baltic cuisine are worth trying. As you may have noticed, perhaps the biggest celebrity in this area is the giant catfish. Very close to Koknese is a welcoming place for hungry travelers. And of course, wonderfully prepared catfish is served here.
The roadside bistro Panna Cafe Koknese (Blaumaņa iela 30A, Koknese) recommended trying the fried catfish fillet (8.50 euros) and the salad of fresh cheese and fresh vegetables (4 euros).
Koknese. Source: DELFI / Modesta Bear
The accent of Baltic cuisine and the novelty of the bistro is a traditional dessert: whipped cream with sea buckthorn jam.
The day spent in the surroundings of Koknese delighted both the eyes, the heart and the palate. We highly recommend experiencing these prints this summer.
You can reach Koknese by car after driving about 95 km southeast of Riga on the E22 road, driving from Lithuania, about 110 km from Biržai, via Barbele and Aizkraukle.
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