Virtual Exhibitions – Ogre Museum of History and Art

OGRE SHOPS

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:42:59 +0000

Today, Ogre offers a wide range of shops – but what was it like in the past? What were Ogre’s shops like during the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s, and later during the Soviet occupation? Shops are an integral part of everyday life. Food, clothing, and household items are daily necessities. Yet while shopping, few people think of documenting a shop’s interior, which is why photographs of shop interiors – unlike popular tourist attractions – rarely make their way into museum collections.

Until the Second World War, Ogre was still a relatively small town. The demand for various retail outlets increased during the summer months, when many holidaymakers and tourists visited Ogre. A 1928 tourist guide to Ogre states: “In Ogre Park, the lime-tree-lined Brīvības Street leads to the hotel–restaurant “Esplanāde”, and next to it “Apgāde” – a firewood and animal fodder shop. Brīvības Street also features pharmacist Šīrons’s “Ogre Pharmacy”, a bathing establishment, Pūre’s bakery, culture house “Kūrmāja”, and several commercial enterprises.”
The guide also lists the following shops: the grocery stores of Kalniņš, Kroesers, Meijersons, Kacens, Balodis, Kauliņš, Krūze, Bērziņš, Vics, Kļaviņš, Skuja, and Jansons. Ogre also had several sausage workshops and butcher shops, some “colonial goods” shops (selling imported goods), as well as haberdashery, perfumery, drugstores, bookshops, wine shops, firewood depots, and oat merchants. Several retail establishments also functioned as workshops, particularly those producing footwear, clothing, and furniture.

Although Ogre had a variety of shops and regular market days, press records indicate that these did not always meet the needs of residents. For example, the newspaper “Ogres Ziņas” (Ogre News) of May 14, 1938, featured the headline “Ogre Needs a Food Shop”. The article stated:
“The population of Ogre has now significantly increased, and another convenience is needed – a food shop. At present, good lunches are available in guesthouses, the culture house, and the station buffet, but these are known as expensive dining places. Not everyone wishes to go to a restaurant, guesthouse, or buffet, so a food shop in Ogre could thrive, and the town would also benefit financially.”

After World War II and the Soviet occupation of Latvia, the economy was centrally planned, private property was abolished, and state-owned enterprises were established. In the 1960s, Ogre was transformed from a resort town into an industrial city, which led to a rapid increase in population. The city’s network of shops was managed by the Ogre Consumers’ Society. Shops were identified by numbers, and only a few were given names. In everyday life, people referred to them by their location or street name, for example, the central delicatessen.

Some quotes from periodicals:
“Ogre residents often shop at the Kolkhoz ‘Juglas zieds’ agricultural products store at Tīnužu Street No. 1, as it offers a relatively rich assortment of goods.”
(Padomju Ceļš, December 17, 1957)
“One of the most frequently visited shops in Ogre is the so-called ‘big shop’ (on J. V. Staļina Street, now Brīvības Street No. 17/19), which offers a wide selection of various food products and sweets. The saleswomen here work courteously, gladly listening to customers’ requests and suggestions.”
(Padomju Ceļš, February 19, 1957)
“Long gone are the days when Ogre residents travelled to Riga to buy fabrics, shoes, or manufactured goods. Now, sometimes the opposite happens: Riga residents come to us to shop. People particularly enjoy visiting the fabric section.”
(Padomju Ceļš, May 31, 1960)
Alongside praise for turnover figures and visitor numbers, there were also articles criticising the Consumers’ Society or saleswomen for insufficient supply, impolite service, poor-quality goods, or dirty and unsanitary conditions. An excerpt from the press reads:
“–There are no matches and no salt, – the saleswomen at the railway workers’ shop in Ogre replied these days.
– Why are such common and necessary goods missing? – customers wondered in confusion. […] In all months of the first quarter, the shops of the Ogre Consumers’ Society fulfilled and exceeded their turnover plans. However, this could be further increased if the Society had a distribution warehouse to store all goods. At present, goods are stored in various places, which creates difficulties when preparing them for transfer to the shops. The normal operation of the shops is also hindered by the lack of sufficient storage space. Goods are stacked on top of one another without any specific order. This situation exists in shops No. 2, 6, and 10, the food commission shop, and elsewhere.”
(Padomju Ceļš, April 4, 1957)

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

We invite you to explore the hiking trail to better discover the hills of Ogre. View the photo gallery and read the story on the museum's website or Facebook page. By looking at historical images, you can compare how the city has changed over time. We have marked the route in the "BalticMaps" map browser. The “GPX” file is convenient to use with the LVM GEO mobile app. The total length of the hiking trail marked on the map is 14 kilometers (7 kilometers in Pārogre and 7 kilometers in Ogre center and Jaunogre). The hiking trail winds through both the urban part of the city (with asphalt, cobblestone, and gravel surfaces) and green areas (park paths and pedestrian-trodden forest trails without special amenities).

Everyone is also invited to complete a task — to solve a crossword puzzle. Its clues can be found in places along the hiking trail. The puzzle solution can be submitted in person at the museum or sent to the email address ogresmuzejs@ogresnovads.lv. Every solver will receive a small, museum-produced thematic souvenir — a calendar with an illustration of the Ogre Kangari hills (you will receive it upon arrival at the museum).

THE AWAKENING AND THE RESTORATION OF LATVIAN INDEPENDENCE

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:37:11 +0000

The exhibition “The Awakening and the Restoration of Latvian Independence” is unique because, alongside the well-known events in Riga, it reflects the historical developments of that time in Ogre and its surroundings. For example, it highlights the closing concert of the Baltica ’88 folklore festival at the Ogre open-air stage, as well as the hoisting of the Latvian flag for the first time at the People’s House and at the Mazozoli parish water tower – clearly expressing local residents’ attitudes and their desire for an independent state.
Video stories are shown on a screen in one of the museum’s windows, where participants of the Awakening share their experiences, emotions, and reflections on this significant period in Latvia’s history.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

1985
* March 11 – Mikhail Gorbachev is elected General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee. The period of perestroika and glasnost begins.
* June 14 – Several members of the US Congress commemorate Baltic Freedom Day; demonstrations take place in Latvian centres worldwide. Actions by diaspora organisations continue in subsequent years, drawing international attention to the Baltic states.
* September 24 – The Central Committee of the Latvian Communist Party and the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR adopt a decision to construct a metro in Riga.
1986
* July 10 – The Latvian human rights defence group Helsinki-86 is founded. It calls for rallies to commemorate Stalinist repressions and other dates significant in Latvian history.
* October 17 – Journalists Dainis Īvāns and Artūrs Snips publish the article Thinking About the Fate of Daugava, protesting planned construction projects. The following year, construction of the hydroelectric power station is halted.
1987
* February 25 – The Environmental Protection Club (VAK) is founded, becoming an important organisation in the independence movement.
* June 14 – Helsinki-86 organises a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument.
* August 23 – Rallies marking the anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact take place in the capitals of the Baltic states, calling for the elimination of its consequences.
1988
* April 27 – A VAK rally against metro construction takes place in Arkādija Park, attended by approximately 10,000 people.
* June 1–2 – A plenum of the Board of the Latvian SSR Writers’ Union is held, with participation from leaders and experts representing architects, designers, cinematographers, composers, artists, theatre workers, and journalists. The adopted resolution marks a turning point towards democratisation and leads to the founding of the Popular Front of Latvia.
* June 14 – A rally in memory of those illegally repressed and killed on June 14, 1941 takes place at the House of Political Education of the LCP Central Committee (now the Congress House). The red–white–red Latvian flag is carried publicly for the first time in the post-war years.
* July 10 – The Latvian National Independence Movement (LNNK) is founded at a general assembly of 2,000 people in Arkādija Park.
* August 23 – Large demonstrations are held and reported in major US newspapers.
* October 7 – A demonstration attended by 150,000 people takes place in Mežaparks under the slogan For a Law-Governed State in Latvia.
* October 8 – The Popular Front of Latvia (LTF) is founded, with Dainis Īvāns elected as its chairman.
* November 11 – Ēvalds Valters and Alberts Bels raise the red–white–red flag on the Holy Spirit Tower of Riga Castle.
* November 26 – A public manifestation organised by the LTF, titled For a Law-Governed State and Democratisation, takes place on the Daugava embankment.In October, the Popular Front of Latvia (LTF) is founded, with Dainis Īvāns elected as its chairman.
1989
* February 18–19 – The first congress of the LNNK is held in Ogre. Its statutes and programme confirm the movement’s political course and declare its ultimate goal: the restoration of an independent and democratic Latvian state.
* March 12 – An LTF demonstration takes place with 250,000 participants.
* April 25 – A draft law amending the Constitution is published, stipulating Latvian as the state language of the Latvian SSR.
* June 14 – A demonstration with 60,000 participants is held.
* July 28 – In response to attempts by the USSR to retain power, the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopts a declaration of sovereignty.
* August 23 – The Baltic Way takes place: a 660-kilometre human chain stretches across the Baltic states, involving approximately two million participants.In March, an LTF manifestation takes place, with 250,000 people participating.
1990
* March 18 – Elections to the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR are held, with the Popular Front winning a majority.
* May 4 – The Supreme Council adopts the Declaration on the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia, initiating a transitional period. The new government, led by Ivars Godmanis, is tasked with adopting laws, implementing economic reforms, and creating a state budget.
Autumn – The leadership of the CPSU prepares plans to overthrow the Baltic governments by force.
1991
* January 13–27 – Barricades are erected to resist OMON special units. With international support, these actions prevent the declaration of a state of emergency in Latvia. Around 50,000 people participate, protecting key sites.
* August 19 – A coup d’état (putsch) begins in the USSR. In the Baltic states, the organisers declare martial law and dissolve parliaments.
* August 21 – Latvia announces the full restoration of its independence. Borders are taken under state control, KGB institutions are dismantled, Interfront leaders are arrested, and Lenin monuments are removed.
* September 17 – The flags of the Baltic states are raised at the United Nations headquarters in New York, marking their admission to the UN.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

OGRE’S CHURCHES

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:31:26 +0000

“The scent of gingerbread follows me
Along the quiet, empty street it comes,
I stop – it snows so brightly
And in the church, the bells begin to ring.”
(I. Zandere)

During the Christmas season, churches are traditionally filled with particularly large crowds. Houses of worship welcome both parishioners attending festive services and cultural enthusiasts who gather for Christmas concerts. The unique architecture of churches is also noteworthy. The expressive silhouettes of church towers in the snow-covered city landscape are a popular theme on Christmas postcards. Furthermore, churches not only serve as gathering places for congregations but are also admired as architectural landmarks. Ogre has several churches with active congregations, so in the spirit of Christmas, we offer a brief insight into the history of Ogre’s houses of worship.

The inhabitants of the Ogre area once belonged to the Ikšķile–Salaspils congregation. After the railway opened in 1861, interest from Riga holidaymakers increased Ogre’s population, which grew significantly during the summer months. Initially, services in Ogre were held at Špīss’ guesthouse on specific Sundays.

In late 1908, Ogre’s summer residents decided to build a chapel. The Ikšķile–Salaspils congregation, then led by Pastor Voldemārs von Hūns, purchased a plot of land at the site of the current Lutheran church and commissioned a design for a wooden church building in a style similar to Swiss regional architecture. The chapel, designed by architect Edgars Frīzendorfs, was named the Forest Chapel and had 300 seats. It was consecrated on 6 June 1910 and operated as a seasonal branch of the Ikšķile–Salaspils congregation. In 1915, the building burned down.

In 1927, the Ogre Summer Resort District Congregation was founded. After Ogre was granted town rights, it became known as the Ogre Town Congregation. The elected congregation committee carried out preparatory work for the construction of a new church. The foundation stone was laid in 1928, and the church was consecrated on August 31, 1930. The architect was Haralds Kundziņš. Construction cost approximately 45,000 lats. The church has 422 seats, including 50 in the organ loft, and around 100 standing places.

The church bell bears the inscription: “I call the living, I mourn the dead. For Ogre Town Church at Christmas.” It was cast at Švenns’ bell foundry in Riga. The church’s altarpiece, based on Kārlis Hūns’ work The Second Coming of Christ, was created by artist Šēnbergs and is an art monument of local significance. The organ was installed in 1940.

During World War II, shrapnel caused minor damage to the church’s exterior wall, but overall the building remained intact. As a result of Soviet occupation and repression, the number of congregation members decreased from 450 to 50, and Pastor Arturs Krauklis was deported to Siberia. Catholic and Baptist congregations also began holding services in the church, helping to cover the heavy annual tax burden of 800 roubles.

In the 1960s, new industrial enterprises were established in Ogre, attracting people from other regions of Latvia, such as Latgale, and from other parts of the Soviet Union. As a result, the number of members of various congregations increased.

The Catholic congregation in Ogre has existed since 1935, when services were held on the second floor of the police building. On April 22, 1979, Provost Antons Mičulītis overcame numerous obstacles to re-establish the Catholic congregation in Ogre. Until the 1990s, it operated in the Lutheran church, assisting not only with tax payments but also with practical maintenance and improvement work. The Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Upes and Meža Prospekts was built and consecrated in 1997. Its central altar, made of mahogany, is a donation from the congregation of St Mary Magdalene Church. Crafted in 1901, it is a cultural monument of national significance.

The Baptist Daugmale parish began operating in Ogre in the 1970s and, like the Catholic parish, rented space in the Lutheran church. In the 1990s, the congregation acquired two pre-war summer houses – at Vidus Prospekts 12 (in 1993) and Vidus Prospekts 15 (in 1996). The latter building had previously been used by the “Ogre” sanatorium, where its administration and classrooms were located and where residents received schooling. As the congregation grew, larger premises were needed, and in 2002 construction began on a separate building next to the former sanatorium. The new house of worship opened in 2010.

Near the Lutheran church at Krasta Street 15 stands the Orthodox Church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker. The Orthodox congregation in Ogre was registered in 1992. The building used for services had originally been a 1930s summer house, extensively renovated over time and owned by several different proprietors. With the support of the parish and the Synod of the Latvian Orthodox Church, it was completely rebuilt into the present church. St Nicholas the Wonderworker Church was consecrated in 2001.

Two of Ogre’s churches were built on the sites of former summer houses, while Ogre’s first church, unlike in many other towns, is not located in the city centre. The unusual locations of the churches and the stories of their construction reflect Ogre’s history as a resort town.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

WINTER JOYS IN OGRE

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:25:35 +0000

Snowfall is a great joy for winter sports enthusiasts. In winter, the ski track and hills of Ogre’s Blue Hills attract both young and old, so we offer a brief insight into historical events and images related to skiing in Ogre.

Skiing as an outdoor recreational activity became popular in Latvia in the 20th century. In the 1920s and 1930s, it was also referred to in the press as “slēpēšana” (an archaic term for skiing).

“The homeland invites you to visit in winter” – this was one of the advertising slogans encouraging the public to explore Latvia. Various newspapers featured invitations from tourism organisations to visit the best skiing spots, as well as advice on skiing techniques and purchasing equipment. Riga residents had many options, but Ogre’s advantages were its proximity to Riga, cheaper train tickets, and forest shelter in windy weather. Special ski trains were organised on weekends, bringing 600–800 skiers to Ogre. The most popular skiing areas were the Blue Hills (Zilie kalni), Sērķīškalni, and the surroundings of Bāku Hill and Ķentes Hillfort.* Longer routes were also available: Saulkalne–Ikšķile–Ogre and Ogre–Glāžšķūnis–Lielvārde.

Skiing competitions were held in Ogre and organised by the Riga Ski Club. Professional athletes participated, and events included not only cross-country skiing but also biathlon, slalom, and ski jumping.

The ski jump in the Blue Hills was opened on January 7, 1934. A stand for judges and spectators and convenient stairs were built next to the jump. At that time, there was also a small jump on Bāku Hill, set up by elementary school pupils. From the large jump, skiers could reach distances of 25 metres; from the small one, 10 metres. The site of the Blue Hills ski jump had once been a hillfort. Following archaeologists’ recommendations, it was not rebuilt there after the end of World War II.

A new ski jump was built in the 1950s on a hill between Tīnūžu and Zvaigžņu Streets. On January 20, 1963, another ski jump was opened near the Ogre 1st Secondary School , on the slope towards Kalna aleja.

Ogre hosted district winter sports competitions in ski jumping, with students from district schools competing for the title of best jumper. The Ogre Ski Jump Cup was also contested, with participation from Latvia’s top ski jumpers. The longest jump recorded in Ogre was 23.5 metres. However, due to the poor condition of the ski jump and increasingly mild winters with little snow, it was no longer used by the 1970s.

Ski jumping traditions in Ogre were revived by coach and ski jumping enthusiast Modris Krūze. In 2007, he built 5-, 10-, and 15-metre ski jumps on his private property on Kranciema Street. The artificial surface allows training throughout the year. There are future plans to build even larger jumps, making possible jumps of up to 50 metres.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

OGRE REGISTRY OFFICE THROUGH THE AGES

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:19:43 +0000

The Ogre Civil Registry Office is now housed in the new Ogre Central Library building, beginning a new chapter with its wide, continuous window overlooking a grove of pines and spruces, as well as a stylised infinity symbol. However, before these changes, the civil registry office had been located elsewhere in the city and had experienced different eras and wedding customs.

The year 2021 is significant not only because of the new and beautiful home of the Ogre Civil Registry Office, but also because the Latvian civil registry system celebrates its centenary.

Civil registry offices in Latvia began operating on February 18, 1921, when Latvian President Jānis Čakste promulgated the law On the Registration of Civil Status Acts. Laws from other European countries served as models for the regulatory framework of the Latvian civil registry system, particularly the provisions of the 1907 Swiss Civil Code concerning the registration of civil status acts, which stipulated that the state was responsible for this area. Until then, the registration of births, deaths, and marriages had been the responsibility of the church rather than the state.

The Ogre town civil registry office was founded on June 2, 1922 and was located in the Ogre Town Council building at Rīgas Street 13 (the building has not been preserved). The newspaper Valdības Vēstnesis (Government Gazette) announced that the department would accept notifications and perform marriages on Wednesdays from 12:00 to 15:00. With the opening of the civil registry office, the registration of marriages, births and deaths became mandatory for the town of Ogre. From May 5, 1929, the Ogre City Council and the civil registry office were located at Brīvības Street 11.

After the Second World War, a new system was introduced in Latvia. In cities, the registration of births, marriages and deaths was carried out by civil registry offices, while in rural areas it was handled by the Councils of Workers’ Deputies. Birth registration was compulsory for all citizens. Relatives of a deceased person were required to report the death within three days and surrender the deceased person’s passport and military documents to the registry office staff.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of July 8, 1944, it was stipulated that only a registered marriage certified the rights and duties of spouses. By Decision No. 312 of the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR of June 15, 1965, the Civil Status Acts Registration Office of the Latvian SSR was established. In everyday life, the abbreviation ZAGS was commonly used – derived from Russian (Organy zapisi aktov grazhdanskogo sostoyaniya), meaning “bodies for the registration of civil status acts”.

After World War II, the Ogre registry office was initially located at Krasta Street 9, but later moved to a three-room flat on the second floor of Brīvības Street 21, occupying two rooms while a notary worked in the third. The head of the registry office was Ilze Miķelsone. In the cramped premises, brides and grooms sometimes signed documents without even removing their outerwear. In the 1960s, in cooperation with Vilma Millere, head of the Ogre Culture House, solemn ceremonies were held at the culture house if there were 60 or more guests.

Long-time Director of the Civil Registry Department Ārija Iklāva recalls:
“Raimonds and I arrived on September 3, 1955 at the Riga City Civil Status Acts Registration Department at Kirova Street 63 (now Elizabetes Street), where all Riga residents’ marriages were registered in a small room on the second floor. I wore a light blue georgette dress. At that time, white dresses and bridal veils were considered remnants of capitalism and inappropriate for Soviet youth. The law did not require wedding witnesses.

Later, the departments’ duties expanded to include not only registering births, marriages and deaths but also conducting solemn marriage ceremonies. During the Soviet era, a marriage registered in a church had no legal force, so civil registry ceremonies needed to be both legally valid and solemn. The prestige of registry office heads was enhanced by an official badge I proposed, introduced by government decision in 1968 and worn during solemn ceremonies. Together with designers from the Riga Fashion House, we developed recommendations and later models for ceremonial attire. To improve speech and posture, we invited well-known theatre directors and actors to train each head individually.”

Ārija Iklāva also recalls that during the Soviet period, the engagement principle stipulated in the Civil Law of 1937 was not recognised. Although the law did not define how or when an engagement should take place, Latvians had not forgotten this tradition, particularly in rural areas. In many districts and cities, the day documents were submitted to the registry office was considered the engagement day.

On January 14, 1966, Lidija Cekule (later Vītola) became head of the Ogre District Civil Registry Office. With great expertise and enthusiasm, she led the department for 55 years – until the summer of 2021.

Lidija Vītola recalls that in 1966, when she began working in Ogre, brides already wore white dresses. Good cooperation had been established with designers from the Ogre Knitwear Factory, who created official attire models, while ceremonial garments were produced in the experimental workshop.

On September 19, 1970, Lidija herself (then Cekule) was married. Ārija Iklāva recalls:
“It was the first time that the head of the Latvian Civil Status Acts Registration Department wished to register a marriage. Together we persuaded my husband to act as best man. The ceremony was conducted by Zinaīda Resne, the newly appointed chairwoman of the Ogre Executive Committee. She was nervous because she had never done this before. The ceremony was covered by the press and radio and was filmed.”

Lidija Vītola remembers that the matron of honour made the newlyweds spin a traditional spinning wheel – although not very successfully. The celebration took place at the Tome Community Centre. The next day, the witnesses travelled back to Riga by train with the spinning wheel and a wedding treat – dried vimba fish.

In 1966, the Ogre Civil Registry Office moved to premises in the newly built building at Brīvības Street 33, where the Ogre City Council is now located. The newspaper Padomju Ceļš (Soviet Way) reported that “the state commission from the construction department accepted the new Soviet House from the builders. Here would be located the district executive committee with its departments, the collective and state farm production management, the city executive committee and the civil registry office.”

The Ogre Municipality Civil Registry Office moved to its new premises in the Ogre Central Library building in August 2021. On August 7, seven couples received their marriage certificates there.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

OGRE CITY HILLS

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:09:34 +0000

Although at first glance the terrain may seem quite flat when arriving in Ogre, a closer look reveals both larger and smaller hills. In the press of the 1930s, Ogre was even compared to Davos in Switzerland. The picturesque hills were one of the reasons why, in the 19th century, Ogre became a popular resort. The hills provided shelter from the wind, and their sandy soil easily absorbed moisture, helping to dry the air. The favourable climatic conditions, the scent of conifers, and the silence of the forest attracted Riga residents who were tired of the bustle of city life. Since the city’s beginnings, the hills have served as walking areas offering beautiful views, and in ancient times, they were used as fortifications.

The Ogre hills, or Kangari, were formed approximately 12,000 years ago, when a glacier 1–2 kilometres thick covered this area. As it melted, water currents created deposits of pebbles and sand, which geologists call eskers. In Swedish, this word is written “ås” and pronounced [o:s]. In Latvian, it means “ridge”. The word “kangari” comes from the Livonian (Līvu) word “kāngar”, pronounced [ka:ngar], which also means “ridge” or “rampart”. According to legend, the glacier transformed into a giant who carried bags of sand to Riga, but sand spilled from a hole in the bag, forming the hills.

The Ogre Kangari within the city consists of several hill ranges. In Pārogre, there are Ķentes Hill, the Lazdu Hills (Hazel Hills), and Grantskalni (Gravel-hills); in the central part of Ogre, there are the Vilku Hills (Wolf Hills) and Sērķīšu Hills; and in Jaunogre, there are the Zilie Hills (Blue Hills), which extend as far as Ikšķile and Tīnūži, where they continue as the Liepu Hills (Linden Hills). Each of these hill ranges also includes individual peaks with their own names and historical stories.

PĀROGRE

ĶENTES HILL

In the eastern part of Ogre, near present-day Ķentes Street, there was once a hill range known as Ķentes Hill, which existed until the 1950s. The highest point of the hill reached 69 metres above sea level, and it was said that even the towers of Riga could be seen from its summit. Various literary sources mention several names for the hill: Ķenckalns, Ķences kalns, Ķenču kalns, Kanča kalns, and Ķēniņu kalns (King’s hill). In legend, it was also associated with ancient Riga. The first summer visitors to Ogre called it the Peak of Three Emperors (German: Drei Kaiser Spitzen) or Camel’s Back (German: Kameelsrücken), as three conical, artificially formed peaks once stood side by side.

In the second half of the 19th century, Ķentes Hill attracted the interest of historians. Initial small-scale excavations took place in the 1880s, followed by extensive archaeological excavations and topographical measurements between 1954 and 1958. These works were carried out before the hill was quarried for gravel. Excavations were conducted both in the hillfort area discovered on Ķentes Hill and at its foot, where a settlement had once existed. The oldest artefacts found – flint tools – date to 9500–8300 BC and indicate that reindeer hunters temporarily stayed on the hill long before the hillfort was established. A fortified settlement was created here in the 1st millennium BC. The hillfort’s most prosperous period was between the 5th and 9th centuries, when it became an important centre in the lower Daugava region. During this time, it was destroyed three times. In the 9th century, the hillfort was abandoned.

During World War I, the Russian army built a concrete blindage (bunker) on one of the hillfort’s ramparts, and trenches were dug across the hill. As the city of Ogre developed, Ķentes Hill became a popular walking area, and many photographs from that time have been preserved.

During the Soviet occupation, the city’s development priorities changed significantly. In 1953, a gravel quarry was established near the hillfort, and over the following decade, the hill was gradually excavated. A silicate brick factory was built on the site, later followed by the Ogre Building Plastics Factory. In January 1970, a luge track was opened on the south-eastern slope of Ķentes Hill, which had survived the main excavation works. The track was 275 metres long, and a water pipeline ran along its entire length, allowing a high-quality ice surface to be created. After the artificial ice track in Sigulda opened in 1986, the Ogre luge track was no longer used. In the 1980s, a slalom track was established on the southern edge of the former Ķentes Hill, with a starting point built up to a height of 63 metres.

LAZDU HILLS AND GRANTSKALNI

Between Ķentes Hill and the Ogre River lie Lazdu Hills and Grantskalni. In Lazdu Hills is the Špakovskis Dendrological Park “Lazdukalni”, created by Jānis and Benita Špakovskis. At the beginning of the 20th century, a small manor called “Mariņmuiža” (German: Marinhaus) was located in this area, where the Mīlbergs family lived. The manor was destroyed during World War I, and its owners left for Germany. Afterwards, the property became overgrown with bushes and trees.

The idea of creating a park came to the Špakovskis family in 1975. The wooded area had to be cleared, and gradually various valuable tree species were planted, including red oaks, hornbeams, walnuts, Murray pines, and ginkgo trees. In 1993, by decision of the Ogre City Council, the dendrological park was granted the status of an object of public importance. Today, the park features more than 400 species of shrubs and trees from Western Europe, Siberia, the Far East, and the Pacific coast. A viewing tower stands at the highest point of the park.

Near Pārogre station, next to the Urga stream, is Urgas Hill. During the Soviet era, a Pioneer campsite was established at the top of the hill. Slightly lower, at the intersection of Andreja and Indrānu Streets, is Rotskalniņš, where a memorial plaque was unveiled in 1978 to commemorate the Ikšķile parish people’s assembly held on 31 October 1905. During the Soviet occupation, a bomb shelter for the Baltic Railway command post was also located nearby.

The former sanatorium “Saulstari” was built on Kazaku Hill. It began operating in 1931 and was once surrounded by a well-maintained terraced walking garden (a separate article about sanatoriums is available on the museum’s website). The hill on whose slope the current Ogre open-air stage was built in 1967 is Bākas Hill, which in earlier times was also known as Kazaku Hill. In 1898, the Ikšķile forestry established a fire observation tower at the top of the hill, resembling a lighthouse. From the tower, the entire surroundings of Ogre were clearly visible, and there was also a forestry summer house with a croquet court nearby. In 1911, the tower was demolished. A new fire observation tower was later built on the Jaunogre side, in the Zilie Hills.

CENTRAL PART OF OGRE CITY

The Kangari hill ranges located in the very centre of the city are the Vilku Hills, while outside the city limits, in the forest along Turkalnes Street towards Ogre Cemetery, lie the Sērķīši Hills. According to eyewitness accounts, before the Ogre resort was established, this area was rather wild, and wolves could be heard howling there. The Sērķīši Hills got their name from the animals that once lived there. Perhaps they were hares, as another name for this hill range is Zaķu Hills (Hare Hills).

Between St Nicholas Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ogre, on the bank of the Ogre River, is Mīlas Hill (Love Hill). At the foot of this hill, in what is now Krasta Square, one of the first social event venues – known as the Playground – was located at the end of the 19th century. Concerts, open-air dances, and other cultural events took place there. The hill was named Love Hill, possibly because it allowed couples to escape the everyday bustle for a romantic walk. In the 1920s–30s, Love Hill offered a wide view of the Ogre River footbridges and the swimming area, and it was also a popular photography spot.

Skolas Hill (School Hill), where Ogre 1st Secondary School has been located since 1960, forms one of the largest elevations in the city centre. It was once called Krēģeris Hill because in the 19th century, H. Krēģeris, the caretaker of the Ogresparks villa colony, lived there. As many residents initially stayed in Ogre only during the warmer season, someone was needed to look after the summer houses during winter.

Near St Meinard’s Roman Catholic Church on Upes Prospekts is Slotiņkalns. It is gentle and wide and has been partially excavated and levelled over time. From 1861, a forestry was located there, and in the 1940s, a forestry school was established, later followed by a vocational technical school.

From the Vilku Hills to the Sērķīši Hills, one could travel by crossing Zvaigžņu Hill (Star Hill), walking along present-day Zvaigžņu Street, which connects the Ogre Music and Art School and Ogre State Gymnasium. The Sērķīši Hills were once one of the most popular places for skiers, and there was also a luge track there. Today, a sports complex and a ski jumping hill are gradually being developed in the Sērķīši Hills.

JAUNOGRE HILLS

The origin of the name Zilie Hills (Blue Hills) can be found both in the legend of a giant who smoked blue smoke and in more down-to-earth observations – the heather cover in the Zilie Hills was once richer than it is today, and the hills appeared bluer. Today, the Zilie Hills are part of the nature park “Ogres Zilie kalni”.

In Ernests Brastiņš’s 1930 publication Latvian Hillforts in Vidzeme, alongside Ķentes Hillfort, Zilais Hill (Blue Hill) is also described. It is now marked on maps as Skatu Hill (View Hill) and was located opposite the current Zilokalnu Prospekts. The nature of this hillfort’s fortifications and its thin cultural layer suggest that it was used only for a relatively short period. The hill’s plateau once served as a road to Tīnūži. During World War II, trenches were dug there, and in 1960 a motocross track was established in this area. All of this significantly damaged the ancient site, but small artificial elevations have survived to this day. Shortly before World War I, a fire observation tower relocated from Pārogre stood on the hillfort site, which is why the hill was for a time called Bākas Hill (Lighthouse Hill). Today, the “travelling” Bākas Hill (and the firefighters’ observation tower) is located between Tīnūži and Ogre, near the highway. On the south-eastern slope of the former hillfort, a modern ski jump was opened in 1934, but it was later demolished at the request of monument protection authorities.

The foothills of the Zilie Hills on the Jaunogre side were once called Mālukalns (Clay Hill). In 1927, a sanatorium for children was built there, and its original name, “Mālkalne”, is preserved in the name of Jaunogre’s central street – Mālkalnes Prospekts. The clay has since been excavated for economic needs, and in place of the former marshy meadows and clayey hills there is now a residential area built by the “Ogre” Knitwear Factory.

A little further from the Zilie Hills, near Jaunogre railway station, is a large mound called Saules Hill (Sun Hill). It was cut in half during the construction of the railway tracks. In earlier times, before development became so dense, this hill offered a wide view of the Ogre River’s confluence with the Daugava. Saules Hill is also part of the Ogre Kangari range – a reminder of the ancient glacier that once shaped this landscape.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

OGRE RIVER AND BRIDGES

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:52:36 +0000

As spring begins, the museum invites you to take educational walks and explore the Ogre River and its bridges, each shaped by historical events.

The city of Ogre is defined by its rivers – Daugava and Ogre. Smaller rivers also flow through the city: Norupīte, Urga, and Lebiņa. As the city developed, some of these smaller rivers were diverted underground or disappeared within private properties. The Daugava and the Ogre have also changed their appearance and course over time. But how exactly has this happened? The Ogre History and Art Museum offers a brief insight into the history of the city’s rivers and bridges, with illustrations that help to understand how today’s city has developed.

OGRE RIVER CROSSING IN THE PAST

Initially, people and carts crossed the Ogre River via light seasonal wooden bridges. The ancient trade route along the Daugava had no permanent or substantial bridge until the beginning of the 20th century. At the confluence of the Ogre and Daugava rivers, a wooden bridge was built every year from spring to autumn. It was constructed annually by peasants as corvée labour, in return for which they could cross the bridge free of charge. During floods, a ferryman operated instead.

RAILWAY AND RAILWAY BRIDGE

The Ogre railway bridge is the oldest in the city. It was built in 1861, and the establishment of the railway line created the opportunity to develop Ogre as a resort. The original railway bridge looked very different from today’s structure. It had iron beams and lattice trusses as load-bearing elements. At the end of the 19th century, the bridge was rebuilt to withstand heavier loads.

The bridge was damaged during World War I but was later restored. In 1944, the German army blew it up during its retreat, and a new railway bridge was constructed. The last major reconstruction took place in 1970, when the bridge was adapted for two-way train traffic.

HIGHWAY BRIDGE

The second-oldest bridge was built in 1907. It was 89 metres long, with four-span riveted plate-girder metal beams. It rested on three river piers and two masonry abutments on the banks. This bridge was partially blown up during World War I, then restored, but blown up again during World War II.

Afterwards, a wooden bridge was installed on the old supports. It served for some time, but in the 1950s the structure was dismantled because it no longer met safety standards. In 1956, when the new Riga–Daugavpils highway was built, a new reinforced concrete bridge was constructed closer to Ogre Island, at the site of the current bridge. For a long time afterwards, the foundations of the old bridge remained visible. Since the 1990s, a city overpass has stood on the foundations of the oldest bridge, and it also serves pedestrians.

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES

In 1966, the now well-known arched pedestrian bridge was built. It is 96.2 metres long, with an 83-metre arch span, and was designed by Ogre resident Voldemārs Salcevičs.

Before that, pedestrians crossed the river on light wooden walkways, which were dismantled seasonally. The hard dolomite riverbed of the Ogre River made it difficult to drive piles into the ground, so the walkways were placed on wooden trestles weighted down with stones. These crossings were located in several places – opposite Birch Alley, opposite the present Orthodox church, and opposite the Lutheran church.

The wooden walkways were once among the city’s most distinctive features and attracted visitors from Riga and elsewhere. On the riverbank opposite Krasta Street, there was a well-equipped swimming area. In the 1930s, it included hydro-massage facilities and various sports opportunities.

Since 2017, a seasonal pontoon bridge has revived this historic river-crossing tradition. Currently, another pedestrian bridge is under construction, which will connect the banks of the Ogre River between Ogre Street and J. Čakste Avenue.

DAMS

The dam near the former cardboard factory (later the Carton Factory) was built at the end of the 19th century as a gravel embankment reinforced with wooden trestles and topped with concrete. The current concrete dam with a pedestrian crossing was built in 1958. Over time, the river’s power at this location has driven mills for the factory’s needs and now powers the turbines of a hydroelectric power plant.

Mills with a dam were also located on the left bank of the Ogre River, opposite the confluence with Norupīte. A light wooden bridge allowed carts to reach the mills. These mills operated until World War II and were used for grinding flour.

RAFTS AND FISH

Until 1964, the Ogre River was used for transporting timber to Riga during floods. However, each newly built bridge made log rafting increasingly risky. In the late 20th century, logs were floated individually, and rafts were assembled at the river mouth behind the railway bridge.

Before the construction of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant, the Ogre River was much richer in fish. Fishing was an important source of livelihood for residents. The river was abundant in vimba, perch, and lamprey, and lamprey weirs once stood along the river.

RIGA HES AND OGRE RIVER

With the construction of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant in the 1970s, the water level in the Ogre River rose by 2–3 metres. The once fast-flowing river significantly changed its character.

In 1972, the 1,300-tonne highway bridge was raised by 2.2 metres using hydraulic jacks. Protective icebreakers were built at the supports of the arched pedestrian bridge. Swimming areas had to be re-established, and the rising water level also affected fish populations, destroying spawning grounds. One of the two outlets of the Ogre River (on the Jaunogre side) was eliminated by the construction of a dam. Today, the so-called Frog Pond is located in the former bed of this right-hand outlet.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

JAUNOGRE SANATORIUM

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:48:28 +0000

The Ogre History and Art Museum’s permanent exhibition Stop Ogre (Pietura Ogre) introduces the history of Ogre’s sanatoriums. However, visitors can also discover and view these historic sanatorium buildings within the city landscape itself.

Ogre has three buildings that once served as sanatoriums. They are located in the central part of Ogre, Jaunogre, and Pārogre. The distance between them is about a half-hour walk or a 10–15 minute leisurely bike ride. Each sanatorium is unique and interesting, but what do they reveal about the past more broadly? Why were sanatoriums needed at all? And why were there as many as three sanatoriums in the interwar period, when Ogre’s population was only around one and a half thousand inhabitants?

We invite you to explore the history of the Jaunogre sanatorium through images and a concise overview.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

SANATORIUM AT RIGA STREET 14

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:45:41 +0000

In the recent past, we witnessed how countries around the world responded to the Covid-19 crisis. In earlier times, some diseases affected almost the entire world. One such disease was tuberculosis, the spread of which was exacerbated by increased migration to cities and factories, post-war population movements, and weakened immunity. Targeted and organised action was needed to curb the disease. In 1923, following the example of other Western European countries, the Society for Combating Tuberculosis was established in Latvia. Its goal was to promote public health. The society collected donations, and there was even a special day on the first Sunday of May when the issue of tuberculosis was highlighted. It was called White Flower Day, when benefactors received a white paper flower in exchange for their donation.

Until the 1950s, treatment options for tuberculosis were limited, so recovery was encouraged through fresh air, rest, nutritious food, and physical exercise. Sanatoriums were able to provide such conditions. Their function was to strengthen patients’ immune systems, and they also helped limit the spread of the disease by temporarily isolating the sick or those at risk. The characteristic approach of sanatoriums to health promotion was reflected in architectural elements such as verandas, balconies, pavilions for aerotherapy (treatment in fresh air), and sunbathing areas. From a national perspective, the establishment of sanatoriums was also an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to modern ideas about supporting families in crisis situations. Interestingly, increasingly progressive hygiene principles were incorporated into sanatorium design.

We invite you to explore the historical images and a brief overview of the sanatorium at Rīgas Street 14.

“OGRE KANGARI” HIKING TRAIL

SANATORIUM “SAULSTARI”

Ogres Vēstures un mākslas muzejs — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:42:02 +0000

Due to the unique natural and infrastructural conditions, the Latvian Anti-Tuberculosis Society and two sickness funds (health insurance organisations) decided to establish sanatoriums specifically in Ogre. The numerous hills, the Kangari ridge stretching through the entire city, and the dry pine forests were considered a particularly favourable environment for health improvement, as the air in coniferous forests is rich in phytoncides, which have a strong antibacterial effect. Moreover, the railway line from Riga to Ogre, in operation since 1861, made it possible to reach the sanatoriums almost as quickly as today.

The sanatoriums in Jaunogre and Pārogre were purpose-built from the outset. For this reason, their locations were chosen near hills and forests, and they have always remained relatively secluded. In contrast, the former sanatorium building in the central part of Ogre has been significantly affected by the city’s development, which has altered its original surroundings. It is located next to the Riga–Daugavpils highway, so most residents of Ogre have likely seen this building many times.

More information about Ogre’s sanatoriums can be found in Volume 1 of the book Ogre Museum Writings – in Ilmārs Dirveiks’ study Sanatorium “Ogre” and Pārsla Pētersone’s article Ogresgrīva Manor, as well as in Karīna Horsta’s book Sanatorium Architecture in Latvia 1918–1940.

We invite you to explore the history of Sanatorium “Saulstari” through images and a concise description.