Jurmala Travel Guide

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The central part of Jurmala,, 24 km from Riga. Territory of an ancient Vidzeme settlement, bought by von Fircks as a"majorate" in the 17th century. The ground remained property of the Fircks family till World War I. Owing to increasing interest towards Jurmala as a health resort, the land got divided into plots for building summerhouses. Building extended into the dunes as far as the beach.
After the railway was opened in 1877, Majori developed into one of the most lively centres, with stores and places of entertainment. In the main street of Majori (now also of Jurmala) - Jomas street - Horn's concert garden was situated (the Rainis and Aspazija memorial stands in that place now).

The buildings in Majori between Jura and Jomas street give a good idea about the stylistics of building in Jurmala, although a large number of interesting and characteristic houses are also in other streets as well (Lienes, Pilsonu, Victorijas, Konkordijas a.o.).

MAJORI AND OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

From 1937 - 1958 A. Rusteikis, one of the first Latvian cinema producers, used to live in Majori.

From 1929- 1958 A. Kronenbergs (1887-1958), an author of children's books and illustrator used to live and work here.

Poets Rainis and Aspasia used to live in Majori (1926-1929).

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS IN MAJORI

53, Pliekshana street,
from 1937 - 1958 A. Rusteikis, one of the first Latvian cinema producers, used to live here. He produced eight films, and a small memorial exhibition has been arranged here.

35, Smilshu street,
house of the Majori and Dubulti Charity Society (built in 1884). Rainis spoke here several times at social democratic meetings between 1903 and 1905.

25, Viktorijas street.
Here A. Kronenbergs (1887-1958), an author of children's books and illustrator, used to live and work between 1929 and 1958. A memorial plaque (sculptor A. Gulbe) was opened here in 1988.

5/7, J.Pliekshana street,
a summerhouse, in which the poets Rainis and Aspasia used to live in 1926-1929. The Rainis memorial museum was opened here in 1949.

35, Jomas street,
the Jurmala People's House (formerly the "Jurmala" cinema). In 1870 Homs opened his hotel and a concert garden at this place. Symphony orchestras from Berlin, Prague, and Warsaw used to give concerts here. In 1896 the first cinema in Jurmala was opened at Hom's hotel. Hom' s buildings perished in a fire in 1913.

Square in Jomas street.
Here a Rainis and Aspasia memorial was unveiled in 1990.

ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARKS IN MAJORI

The residential house of the Majori estate, (the house of the landlord), 65, Konkordijas street.
Built about 1910. Arhitect V. Bokslaf (1958-1845). The estate was owned by the von Fircks family who had come from Kurzeme and who also owned Nurmuizha, as well as land in Majori, Melluzhi, and Asari.
The Majori mansion was built as a summerhouse and as a hunting house. A two-storeyed brick house. Simple smooth walls covered with stucco, the only ornament being the large glass windows, and the entrance portal with steps. On the garden side a portico with four columns, marking the entrance from the yard side. Many architectural elements in jugenstil tradition, such as the semicircular verandah, the bay window, the servants' entrance.
The artistically formed interior is partly conserved - the hall with wooden steps, the turned ballusters and carved columns, the fire-place with a mirror, a recess for musicians, forged metal ornaments on the doors. There is a children's home now, since 1924.

Residential building, 42, lit.2, Viktorijas street.
Built at the end of the 19th century. A one-storeyed building on horizontal beams with traditional six-part windows and wood-cut verandah ornaments. The verandah is typical of older summerhouses. One rarely sees them now.

Residential building, a summerhouse, 43, Jomas street.
Built in 1863, a striking example of neo-classical architecture in Jurmala. A symmetrical one-storeyed building constructed of wooden planks. The planning is subjected to the central hall. The columns and their proportions create a majestic impression. The main fa?ade, as well as the western and eastern sides are fitted out with verandahs showing stained glass windows.

Residential building, 2, Juras street.
Built about 1909, with 1997 annex. A two-storeyed building with a belvedere. Elements of classical architectural style. With its rich ornamentation and monumentality of constructions it presents the most beautiful neo-classicistic buildings in Jurmala. The building is asymmetrical, adorned with terraces and pergolas with columns.

Residential building, 6, Juras street.
Built in 1913. One of the buildings representing the general shape of Juras street. A two-storeyed asymmerical house, the turret accentuating the vertical lines and creating a general effect of lightness. Richly decorated with woodcuts.

Residential building, 8, Juras street.
Built in 1913. A two-storeyed wooden house with an attic and a turret at the corner. The large building is compact and remarkable for its perfect workmanship. The garden is surrounded by a fence which has remained intact. The entrance gate is shaped as a turret, as was usual in those times, but has remained unique in the architecture of Jurmala.

Residential building, 31, Juras street.
Built at the end of the 19th century. A very typical building, showing the adaptation of a residential building to the needs of holidaymakers. Constructed in national tradition, on horizontal planks with a steep double slanted roof. The floor-space has been enlarged by addition of an attic and a verandah. The outer wall has been replaced by large glass work. On the ground floor and in the attic wooden columns have been erected to impart a vertical accent to the building.

Residential building, 39, Juras street.
Built around 1910, in neo-classicist style. Rotonda-like shaped summerhouse with a domed central part, a portico with columns, and a balcony on first floor level.

The menu sums up Ukrainian food quite nicely. Ukrainians seem to have a love affair with lard. Spotikac is very quaint, the interior decorated with brightly painted flowers. The food isn't too bad, watch out for the lard toast though!

Favorite Dish: The cherry dumplings with sour cream were GREAT! We got them for Gabriel, but Melisa and I ended up eating most of them!

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To get to Jurmala you will have to take the train to a station called Majori - there are local and regional trains stopping there every hour or so. Trains are very cheap from Riga (ca. 2 Lats return) but very slow.

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In winter Jurmala is a near ghost town - only a few locals venture out and a few hardy tourists - the cold and snow are not so conducive to wanting to do a lot. However, there are still some wonderful timber villas to walk past and admire and which have a certain je ne sais quoi which tickles my fancy.