Jūrmala
| Jūrmala | |
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| Autumn view in Jurmala | |
| Town rights | 1959 |
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| Location of Jūrmala within Latvia | |
| Location | |
| Mayor | Ģirts Trencis |
| Number of city council members | 15 |
| Area | 100 km2 (39 sq mi) |
| Population | 55,400 |
| Density | 554 /km² (1,435 /sq mi) |
| Postal code | LV-2003; LV-2008; LV-20(10-17) |
| Calling code | +371 67 |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) |
| Summer (DST) | EEST (UTC+3) |
| Homepage of Jūrmala | |
Jūrmala (IPA: [ju:rmala], pronunciation) meaning "seaside" in Latvian, is a city in Latvia, not far from Riga. Jūrmala is a resort town stretching 32 kilometres (20 mi) and sandwiched between the Gulf of Riga and the Lielupe River.
During the period when Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, it became a favourite holiday-resort and tourist destination for high-level Communist Party officials, particularly Brezhnev and Khrushchev. Although many amenities such as beach-houses and concrete hotels remain, some have fallen into disrepair. Jūrmala remains a tourist attraction with long beaches facing the Gulf of Riga and romantic wooden houses in the Art Nouveau style.
Imants Ziedonis, one of Latvia's most important poets and folklorists of the Soviet and post-Soviet eras, was born in the Jūrmala district.
Visitors can access Jūrmala from Riga in around 20 to 40 minutes either by train or by bus, or along the highway by car. Since 2008 Jūrmala and Riga airport are connected with a bus service.
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History
The city of Jūrmala actually consists of a string of small resorts. From west to east, these include Ķemeri, Jaunķemeri, Sloka, Kauguri, Vaivari, Asari, Melluži, Pumpuri, Jaundubulti, Dubulti, Majori, Dzintari, Bulduri and Lielupe.
The area now comprising the city of Jūrmala was formerly part of Riga, known as Rīgas Jūrmala. Some parts of the area, like Sloka and Ķemeri, have been known as health resorts for centuries. Jūrmala was once known in German as Riga-Strand, or "Beach of Riga".
Jūrmala's reputation as a spa destination began in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Wealthy landowners began the tradition of relaxing at the seaside, and Russian army officers came here to rest after the Napoleonic Wars, returning later with their families. The peak of the Jūrmala area's development was the opening of the Riga - Tukums railway in 1877 (which still passes through Jūrmala) that gave a great boost to the numbers of visitors, and thus a boost to the development of the town as a resort.
In Soviet times Jūrmala was popular with the Communist officials because of its beach and sanatoriums - holidays were also given as rewards for top union members. It became one of the most popular holiday directions in the whole Union. The spas offered facilities from mud baths to riding therapy and hiking in the woods. In summer there are many concerts.
Jūrmala gained official status as a city in 1959. The railway line became electrified and today it features the most regular train service in Latvia.
Whereas Riga has advanced rapidly to embrace and cater for growing numbers of Western tourists, Jūrmala has lagged behind. Russians are now subject to strict visa requirements and its beaches have yet to attract significant numbers of Europeans leaving the tourist industry with a hard task on its hands. However, during the past few years, Jūrmala has started to recover. Many Russian celebrities, successful businessmen and others have been buying houses near the beach, lots of different festivals and other activities have brought more and more people to the town each summer. At the moment, Jūrmala has almost achieved the popularity that it enjoyed with the Soviet elite.
The main beach at Majori and another at Bulduri now bear blue eco-flags signaling their safety to swim in and the Latvian Academy of Science boasts a hotel for its members in the town. There is also the Midsummer Festival in June, celebrating the longest day of the year and the 'Jaunais Vilnis' New Wave (competition)[1] music festival showcases the latest music from all over Europe. The Lonely Planet guide to the region states that it is one of the highlights of Latvia.
Architecture
The most distinguishing architectural feature in Jurmala from the 19th and first half of the 20th century is the prevalence of wooden buildings. Wood is aesthetically attractive and appropriate for seasonal buildings, as well as easy-to-get.
Most of the buildings were made by Baltic German and Latvian architects, but there also are works of Russian, Finnish and other architects. Typical features of Jurmala architecture live in harmony and supplement each other, such as classicism, national romanticism, modern style and many others. The town has an official list of 414 historical buildings under protection, as well as 3,500 wooden structures.
Beach
Jurmala's beach is 33 km long, covered with white quartz sand. The shallow coastal waters are suitable and safe for children. The beach is equipped with children's playgrounds, small benches, football fields and volleyball courts, as well as descents for prams and wheelchairs. In Spring and Autumn amber pieces can be found on the beach.
Each region's beach has its own character. In Majori and Bulduri, where the Blue Flag flies, it is possible to rent water bicycles or relax in the beach cafe. In Dubulti and Dzintari competitions in beach football and volleyball take place, but on Pumpuri beach there is kite surfing and windsurfing.
International water sports contests, including rowing, sailing, and waterskiing that take place on the river Lielupe.
Festivals
During the Soviet Union era Jūrmala was a venue for various USSR festivals. The most notable of which were the annual Jurmala Chess Festival and the almost annual festival of pop music "Jūrmala" (1986-1993).[1]
Since 2001 Jūrmala has hosted a competition for young pop singers "New Wave".[2]
Jurmala also hosts the "Singing KiViN" KVN July festival.
References
External links
- Official site
- Jūrmala at the Open Directory Project
Photos and videos
- 360º QTVR fullscreen panoramas of the Jurmala city
- Images from Jurmala
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