Sēja Municipality can be explored through two distinctive aspects: architectural and educational history, and bog and river landscapes. There is also a great oak with protected natural monument status, along with activities related to saunas, gardens and sports.
Educational and Architectural History
Construction of the Sēja School began in 1914 and was funded by donations from residents of the Sēja parish. The building was completed in 1922, and its inauguration took place on 26 November that year. The Sēja School Museum was established in 1992 to preserve the history of the school and Sēja Municipality for future generations. The school’s history thus brings together community-funded construction, a precisely dated completion and the aim of passing on the region’s heritage.
Sēja Manor dates from around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and was remodelled with Neo-Gothic ornamentation between 1883 and 1885. The water tower in the park was added in 1903 and is considered Latvia’s oldest functioning water tower. Its architectural history therefore spans the manor’s origins, its Neo-Gothic remodelling and the later construction of the tower.
Construction of the Brankši Mills began in 1890. The mills were powered by a single undershot water wheel: in this design, water acted on the lower part of the wheel. The associated millpond covered about six hectares, and its elevation difference was four metres. These details offer an insight into the scale of the complex at the time and add the technical use of water to its architectural history.
Bog, River and Ancient Oak
The Dzelves-Kroņa Bog is characterised by a great diversity of habitats and bird species, and serves as a breeding ground for many rare birds. Numerous geese and cranes stay in its small lakes after the breeding season and during migration. These seasonal periods are especially relevant for nature observation, though sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The Loja River is 26 kilometres long. Its lower reaches form a deep gorge at Murjāņi. A walk along the Loja near Murjāņi offers views of several sandstone cliffs and caves. If you plan a trip there, check the trail conditions in advance, as they may change.
The Sēja Great Oak is several hundred years old, is considered a symbol of Sēja Municipality and has protected natural monument status in Latvia. It also has historical significance: during the Second World War, it was used as an observation point. The tree’s roles as a natural monument and a part of history offer two distinct perspectives that complement each other when exploring the area’s past.
Sauna, Garden and Sport
The private Pirts Museum is an open-air museum with an exhibition comprising six historic saunas and one newly built sauna. Individuals and groups can use the Black Sauna; groups can include up to 20 people. The offerings also include a workshop on making sauna whisks from the plants used for them, as well as tastings of honey and homemade products. The hosts ask visitors to book in advance for museum visits and guided tours. Before you arrive, also ask about the current availability of the sauna, workshop and tastings.
The Auguste Inspiration Garden features a hydrangea landscape with more than 2,000 hydrangeas and a colonnaded gazebo. As plant displays can change, this is a seasonal feature of the garden. For another activity, Sēja Disc Golf Park has 18 holes.
Sēja Sports Centre is located near Sēja School, about six kilometres from Murjāņi when travelling on the road between Murjāņi and Saulkrasti. Its sports hall has regulation-size courts for handball, mini football, tennis, basketball and volleyball. This offers a different focus from outdoor visits or architectural history; if you have a particular sports activity in mind, it is advisable to check what is currently available.
Plan Your Stay
For the Pirts Museum, planning includes booking in advance and checking which offerings are currently available; for a walk along the Loja, trail conditions are important.
Discover more destinations: Murjāņi
Go to the main travel overview: Sēja Municipality.
