Discover Auce: Vecauce Palace, Forests and Culture

Auce combines cultural history, forest landscapes and vibrant local experiences. The P-96 regional road from Riga via Jelgava and Auce to Ezere runs through the town. Auce is also located on the Riga–Mažeiķi railway line, which opened in 1873. The Līgotnes stream flows through Auce, while the surrounding area is characterised by forests. This allows you to shape your stay around historical impressions, nature observation and active pursuits.

Vecauce Palace as a Cultural Centrepiece

An important place to visit is Vecauce Palace. It was designed by the architect Friedrich August Stüler and was once regarded as a notable example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Courland. Today, the palace serves as a tourism and cultural centre and houses a historical exhibition about the Vecauce estate. Those interested in architecture, regional history and the development of an estate will find a clear focus for their travel planning here.

The palace also includes a 13-hectare landscaped park. The park complements a visit to the historic complex with a broad landscape experience. For a day combining culture and time outdoors, you can therefore pair a visit to the palace with a walk through the landscaped park, without having to plan any other specific activities.

Church History and Neo-Gothic Details

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Vecauce is a cultural monument of national significance. It stands on the boundary between Vecauce and the town of Auce. During the rule of the Mēdem family, the church was expanded in 1866 to accommodate 500 seats. The unified Neo-Gothic ensemble of the altar, pulpit and sacristy doors is particularly striking. These details make the site interesting for visitors who want to appreciate not only individual buildings during their trip, but also their historical design.

Forests, Wildlife Observation and the Town Festival

The forests around Auce add a nature-oriented dimension to your trip. Red deer are spotted in the area, although sightings cannot be guaranteed. Those who want to combine nature experiences with culture can plan the forest landscape as a separate focus alongside the palace, church and exhibition.

Another regular event is the Auce Town Festival, which takes place every year in the last week of July. If you would like to experience this local event, this calendar week is the key planning period. The festival complements the attractions that can be described year-round with a recurring event in the town’s life.

Active Variety at Auce Velopark

For a more active part of your stay, the large ramp at the skate park in Auce Velopark offers several options: you can skateboard, roller-skate, ride a BMX bike and use a scooter there. This lets you divide your day between historical sightseeing, nature and physical activity according to your interests. This range of options is especially useful when travelling with people who have different preferences, helping you plan a varied stay.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Auce, you can first decide which focus should define your trip. Those interested in culture can centre their plans on Vecauce Palace, the historical exhibition and the Church of Vecauce. Anyone wanting to combine nature and activity can include the forests, landscaped park and Auce Velopark. For a visit to the town festival, the last week of July is a particularly suitable travel period.

The Auce Tourist Information Point provides information about attractions, cultural and historical sites, accommodation, and catering, recreation and leisure opportunities in Dobele Municipality. Various brochures and information materials about tourism opportunities in Auce and the surrounding area, in Dobele Municipality and in other parts of Latvia are also available there. For further travel planning, you can also take a look at Bēne.

For the higher-level travel overview: Auce Municipality.