Vabole can be explored through a range of themes: the historic design of Vabole Manor Park, the life and work of the Skrinda family, and the cultural history of roadside crosses in Vaboles pagasts. Crafts and regional foods add to this picture. This gives the area several distinct points of interest for a stay. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between them: the park and museum offer different perspectives on landscape and history, while the roadside crosses represent a religious heritage of the pagasts. You can therefore choose whether your main interest is the design of a park, family and national awakening history, or regional crafts.

Vabole Manor Park

Vabole Manor Park was laid out in the 19th century by Count Plater-Zyberk in the English style. It covers 8.5 hectares, and the pond covers 0.21 hectares. The park grounds are home to 21 native and foreign tree and shrub species. These details shed light on different aspects of the grounds: the English style and the 19th century place its design in a historical context, the area figures give a precise sense of its size, and the number of species adds information about its planting. Visitors interested in garden and landscape history will therefore find both a historical reference and measurable details, as well as information on the diversity of the woody plants. This combination of its history, scale and plant life makes the park a subject in its own right for learning about Vabole.

The Skrinda family and Atmoda

A permanent exhibition at the Skrinda Family Museum presents the life and work of the Skrinda family. The museum is dedicated to the brothers Benedikts (1869–1947), Kazimirs (1875–1919) and Antons (1881–1918), figures in the first national awakening movement, “Atmoda.” This theme leads from the history of a family to the broader history of a movement: the exhibition focuses on the work of the Skrinda family, while the dedication connects the three brothers with Atmoda. Thematic programs are available for children and adults. Advance booking is required to take part. If you would like to include this activity in your stay, be sure to make the required booking in advance.

Roadside crosses in Vaboles pagasts

Crucifixes are also part of the cultural history of Vaboles pagasts. To this day, it has the largest number of preserved crucifixes in the municipality. Of the 44 crucifixes in the pagasts, 29 remain today. The historical tradition of roadside crosses included May devotions, religious songs and prayers. This theme therefore encompasses both their current state of preservation and past religious practices. These two aspects offer different perspectives on the cultural heritage: the surviving crucifixes make up the current collection, while the historical devotions, songs and prayers offer insight into earlier traditions.

Crafts and culinary heritage

The “Visit the Old Masters of Crafts” route offers a hands-on complement to the historical themes. Visitors can try weaving, woodcarving and blacksmithing. This route focuses on trying three crafts yourself, unlike the permanent exhibition, which presents the life and work of the Skrinda family. The traditional culinary heritage of Vabole and the Latgale farmsteads includes dishes such as “komas,” oven-baked bread and unusual local herbal teas. The route also features some of this heritage: it includes preparing the traditional Vabole dish “komas” over an open fire and dining outdoors. The themes are distinct: the culinary heritage includes several traditional foods and drinks, while the route involves preparing a specific dish and dining outdoors. Together with the craft activities, this offers a unique way to experience regional traditions.

Discover more destinations: Ezeriņi, Laucesa, Kumbuļi, Naujene, Šengeida, Saliena, Svente, Medumi

For the broader travel overview: Daugavpils Novads.