Bauska offers several different ways to explore local history: the medieval layout of the Old Town, the castle, and exhibitions on toys, traditional dress and life in the 20th century. The Bauska Nature Park and the Mēmele, Mūsa and Lielupe rivers offer more to discover. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bauska, you can first decide whether the focus of your trip should be on urban history, collections or nature.

Old Town and Castle: History in the Cityscape

Bauska Old Town is an urban monument of national importance. Its medieval layout has been preserved, with two main streets running parallel to the river, smaller cross streets and a central market square with the Town Hall. This means history is reflected not only in individual buildings, but also in the layout of the town. With the free audio guide “Iepazīsti Bausku!” you can explore the Old Town at your own pace in Latvian, Russian, English, Lithuanian or Estonian.

The Town Hall stands in the central market square and is currently considered the only reconstructed 17th-century town hall in Latvia. The “Svari un mēri Bauskā” tour focuses on its history, as well as historical weights and measures. Visitors can be weighed and measured using old units such as the pud and the ell, and receive a certificate. The Town Hall and the tour make weights and measures a tangible part of the town’s history.

Bauska Castle stands on a picturesque peninsula at the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers, where they join to form the Lielupe. The oldest part is the castle of the Livonian Order, built in the mid-15th century, of which only ruins remain. The later part of the complex was built in the late 16th century as a residence for the Kettler dynasty, the dukes of Courland. You can climb the central tower, which stands 50 metres above sea level; check seasonal access before your trip.

Exhibitions and Regional Culture

The Bauska Museum’s permanent toy exhibition takes visitors from the world of toys and dolls in the late 19th century to the early 21st century. It is the only exhibition of its kind in Latvia. The museum also features an exhibition about Bauska in the 20th century and the educational programme “Piedzīvojums 20.gadsimta Bauskā”. Together, these offerings explore both the long history of play and the town’s more recent past.

The “Bauska” folk art studio is a department of the museum. It offers advice on putting together and making the traditional Zemgale regional costume. The Bauska Motor Museum at 2 Derpeles iela offers a different perspective on technology and everyday life. Its exhibition covers 400 square metres and features around 30 exhibits. Topics include the history of cars in Latvia and around the world in the 20th century, agricultural machinery and other objects from everyday life.

Rivers, Nature and Other Activities

Bauska Nature Park is a Natura 2000 protected area. It preserves unspoilt stretches of the Mēmele, Mūsa and Lielupe rivers. As well as the historic townscape, river landscapes are another option to explore. Bauska also has two popular local swimming spots: one on the Mēmele at Rīgas iela, and one on the Mūsa at Krasta iela.

For a longer cycling route, the 138-kilometre “Iecavas augšteces loks” starts in Bauska. The stated distance provides a clear guide for planning without specifying a particular division into stages. Another way to explore regional traditions is to visit the Bauska Brewery, where visitors can learn about traditional beer-making and taste local beer. Check the latest visitor information before your trip.

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Return to the regional travel guide: Bauskas Novads.