The history of Medemciems spans land purchases in the Medema Bog and peat extraction. For visitors, there is also a 150-metre-long walking trail, outdoor fitness equipment, and a footpath and cycle path to BaloĹľi. Bus routes and electric trains offer additional travel options. If you are planning a stay in Medemciems, you can consider its local history, activities and transport as separate topics.
Local history between bog and settlement
Medemciems began to develop in the mid-19th century, after tenants acquired land in the Medema Bog. The first permanently inhabited houses were built in the 1890s. Development and permanent construction thus mark different stages in the history of the settlement. Its history was shaped by the early farmers of the Medema Bog, the BaloĹľi peat factory and the establishment of gardening cooperatives. These three aspects offer different perspectives on the area: farming in the bog, the peat industry and community-organised gardening.
Historic 19th-century houses include Alpi, Cīruļi, Dūšeļi, Kukuļmuižnieki and Zanderi. These five names provide specific points of reference in the history of local buildings, alongside the broader developments in bog, peat and gardening. The historic houses represent the history of local buildings, while the peat railway represents the industrial use of the bog.
Peat extraction and peat railways
Another stage began immediately after the Second World War, when peat extraction started in the Medema Bog. In the post-war period, peat narrow-gauge railways ran along Medemciems. The peat railway near Medemciems was completely dismantled in the 2000s. This places the area’s history in context, from the start of peat extraction to the later end of the peat railway.
Walking routes and activities
The “Medemciema pastaigu taka” walking trail is in Medemciems, is 150 metres long and follows the outline of Latvia. Its length makes it easy to identify as a short route, while its shape gives it a distinctive local feature.
A footpath and cycle path connect Medemciems with BaloĹľi. If you plan to use this connection, check locally whether any temporary works might affect access. Medemciems also has outdoor fitness equipment. The walking trail, connection and fitness equipment offer different ways to be active: a short route, walking and cycling between two places, and exercising on fitness equipment.
Getting there by bus and train
Bus route 5173 connects Riga with Medemciems; route 7376 runs between Riga, Jelgava and Dobele and also stops in Medemciems. When choosing between the routes, compare each one with your destination and check the current timetable before travelling.
From 10 April 2026, electric trains on the Riga–Jelgava route departed in both directions from platform 1 at Medemciems stop. Check the current timetable before travelling for this service as well.
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