Discover Rušona: Lake, Culture and Nature

Rušona combines an extensive lake landscape with traces of history, distinctive cultural sites and destinations in the surrounding area. If you would like to combine water, nature and history during your holiday, the town offers various starting points for planning your trip. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Rušona, you can therefore first consider whether you would like to focus on lake experiences, cultural discoveries, routes or landscape impressions, or regional cuisine.

Lake Rušona and Its Islands

Lake Rušona covers 23.7 square kilometres and defines the landscape of the destination. Licensed fishing is organised on the lake. The islands of Lake Rušona can be viewed from various points along the lakeshores or during a boat trip on the lake. This allows you to get to know the lake from different perspectives without having to limit your trip to just one form of exploration.

Lielā, also known as Upursala, plays a special role. The island is located in Lake Rušona, approximately 1 kilometre east of Rušona Manor. Upursala is home to the Upurakmens in Lake Rušonu, an ancient Latgalian sacred site. Those interested in regional history, traditional customs and distinctive places in the landscape will find an independent cultural focus here.

Church, Manor and Historical Heritage

The Catholic Church of Rušona can be visited as a historic destination. The present-day stone church building was erected in 1816 using funds provided by Ieva Selecka. The sacristy contains historical artefacts, including the vestments of former priests. The church can therefore be appreciated not only for its architecture, but also for the preserved evidence of its religious history.

Another point of interest is a residential building located on Lake Rušona. It stands approximately 500 metres east of Rušona Church and was built in 1903. For planning your day, this historic site can be mentally associated with the church building and the lake landscape without combining the individual destinations into an unsubstantiated joint route.

Excursions in the Surrounding Area

In the surrounding area, Geļenova Park covers 8 hectares. The picturesque park is characterised by exotic trees and shrubs. On the shore of Lake Bicānu, Geļenova Park also offers a beach and boat, catamaran or SUP-board trips. Thus, alongside the historic destinations, there are also opportunities for a holiday day focused more on landscapes and water.

The Ezertaka section in Preiļu novads municipality leads to Rušona Church and Rušona Manor, and then to Lake Rušona with the “Silmalas” recreation complex. This route connects several of the aforementioned points of interest in a clear thematic sequence. Depending on your personal interests, you can give different emphasis to cultural destinations, landscape impressions and time spent by the water.

Local Cuisine and Choosing Your Accommodation

The regional side of your stay includes the “Kulda” Flavour House in the surrounding area. Guests can enjoy seasonal dishes made from local produce as well as delicacies from Latgale’s home producers. This complements a holiday in which not only excursions but also local products and seasonal cuisine play a role.

Which accommodation in Rušona is right for your trip therefore depends above all on your planned priorities. When searching, you can include a holiday apartment or holiday home in your selection. Would you rather plan cultural discoveries, water activities, nature observation or culinary breaks?

Another Travel Idea

If you would like to visit another destination in addition to Rušona, you can include Sīļukalns in your further travel plans.

For the overarching travel overview: Riebiņu Novads.