The Pļaviņu Daugavas promenade is an almost 2 km-long flood-protection embankment that protects the town from spring floods. At the same time, it is used for leisurely walks and sporting activities. This dual purpose gives Pļaviņas a clear appeal for travellers: along the Daugava, both flood protection and activity are central. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to include a leisurely walk or a sporting activity.

The Daugava, a waterfall and trails

Skanstupītes Waterfall has three tiers and consists of dolomite from the Daugava Suite. It is approximately 1.5 m high and 4 to 6 m wide; it is considerably wider than it is high. Its three tiers define its shape, while the dolomite rock is a geological feature. It is also one of the few waterfalls on the Daugava’s tributaries that were not submerged. For anyone who looks at river landscapes not only in terms of their banks but also their geology, this waterfall offers a distinctive perspective.

For a longer outing, there is the “Shores of the Daugava by train and on foot” route: in Pļaviņas, it covers an approximately 6 km sequence of stops and combines a train journey with a walk. Compared with the almost 2 km-long promenade, this is a different scale and a route option with several stops. The distance is explicitly approximate. Check local conditions before your trip.

River history and fortifications

The Daugava between Pļaviņas and Koknese also has a historical landscape dimension: this stretch had rapids and rocky riverbanks up to 20 m high. It was the most difficult obstacle for timber rafting. This lets you consider the landscape and the river’s former use together, without confusing the stretch’s historical significance with a present-day activity.

Aiviekstes zviedru skansts was built in the early 17th century as a Swedish fortification against the Poles. Four prominent bastions define the structure, which is relatively well preserved. Bastions are projecting parts of a fortification; their form provides an architectural point of reference alongside the site’s history. Its construction period, military purpose and architectural form therefore offer different ways to explore this historical subject.

Exhibitions and planning your visit

The exhibition “The Latvian Army in Pļaviņas in the 20th Century” is currently housed at the Pļaviņu muzejs and covers events from the period of Latvia’s independence battles. Another historical subject is explored in the exhibit “Daugava Raft Model,” which includes stories from timber rafters and historical photographs. The two subjects have different focuses—independence battles and river history. In the model, the rafters’ experiences and historical images complement one another. If you would like to visit the exhibition at the museum, check visiting arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Odziena

For the regional travel overview: Pļaviņu Novads.