Discover Varakļāni: Manor House, Churches and Art

Varakļāni combines an impressive historical heritage with a local history museum, churches, creative activities and a special local tasting experience. Those looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation in Varakļāni can tailor their trip entirely to their own interests: from architecture and the life and work of M. Borch to regional memorial sites, art courses and culinary discoveries.

Manor House, Park and Local History

The manor house is an important starting point for exploring Varakļāni’s cultural heritage. It was built for Count Michał Jan Borch between 1783 and 1789. The associated park was created alongside the construction of the manor house in the late 18th century. On the bank of the Kažava stream in the park stands a large stone popularly known as the “Love Stone”. Thus, the history of the place includes not only the building itself, but also the landscaped park and a traditional local name.

The Varakļāni local history museum complements this historical picture with a modernised permanent exhibition. It focuses on the life and scientific work of M. Borch, as well as the history of Varakļāni and its region. For travellers who enjoy exploring a place in greater depth, the museum offers a thematic perspective that connects personal history with regional history.

Churches and Historic Memorial Sites

Religious buildings also shape Varakļāni’s cultural diversity. St Victor’s Chapel is a state-protected architectural monument and was completed in 1814. Its crypt contains the graves of Count M. Borch, his wife Eleonora, his eldest son Karols, Karols’s wife and their son Anatolijs. The Roman Catholic Church of Varakļāni also houses relics of Saint Victor.

Another architectural highlight is Varakļāni’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was built around 1879 from fieldstones; the doors and windows are framed with red bricks. Its tower also serves as a viewing tower. The Evangelical Lutheran cemetery ensemble includes a chapel, a bell gate, the burial site of participants in the Latgalian liberation struggles of 1920, and the monument “Div’ bāliņi karā jāja”. Those wishing to compare historic architectural forms and memorial sites will find a range of themes to shape their own day in Varakļāni.

Creative Activities and Local Flavours

Varakļāni is not exclusively a destination for architecture and history enthusiasts. The Art Experimentation Park at the Varakļāni manor estate offers various master classes. These include sculpture, working with clay, wood carving, art, musical activities and graphic art. For people travelling together with different interests, this area can offer a separate focus for their stay: historic sites can be combined with practical and creative activities.

Another special feature is VARA KLĀNU. It offers a tasting of nine beverage flavours with snacks. The Varakļāni Tourist Information Centre offers excursions, travel guides and souvenirs, and can thus complement the planning of the stay.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Varakļāni, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus first. The manor house and park, the churches and their history, the local history museum, creative master classes or the tasting at VARA KLĀNU can take centre stage. Accommodation in Varakļāni thus provides the setting for a stay whose rhythm you determine yourself, with cultural and historical discoveries, creative experiences and regional impressions. This allows you to adapt your choice of holiday apartment to your personal interests and the composition of your travel group, without reducing the destination to just one theme.

To the higher-level travel overview: City of Varakļāni.