Saulkrasti

Coordinates: 57°15′N 24°25′E / 57.250°N 24.417°E / 57.250; 24.417
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Saulkrasti
Town
Saulkrasti beach
Saulkrasti beach
UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
LV-2160
Calling code+371 67
Websitehttp://www.saulkrasti.lv/en/

Saulkrasti (pronunciation

Saulkrasti municipality. Made up of a number of historic fishing settlements, the town stretches for some 17 km from the Inčupe river in the south to the village of Skulte
in the north. The town itself spans across 4.8 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi) and includes an additional 42 square kilometres (16 sq mi) of fields and forests.

The center of Saulkrasti is situated about 40 km from

Zemitāni-Skulte Railway
line.

The coat of arms of Saulkrasti represents the four rivers (white stripes) of Inčupe, Pēterupe, Ķīšupe, and Aģe, and the five villages (green stripes) – Bādciems, Katrīnbāde or Pabaži, Pēterupe, Neibāde, and Zvejniekciems that make up the town. The top parts represent the sea and the sun. A part of the historic Livonian Metsepole land and later known as Neibāde or Neubad, Saulkrasti received its present name in 1933 when the five adjoining villages were merged into one common municipal structure. It received town rights in 1991.

Saulkrasti is the home of the annual Saulkrasti Jazz Festival.

Geography

Saulkrasti is located in

Limbaži municipalities and the closest populated places to Saulkrasti are Carnikava, Ādaži, Sigulda, and Limbaži.[r 1] The direct town's borders mostly include a stretch between the railway and the sea from Inčupe to Ķīšupe rivers.[r 1][r 2]

The territory is 4,774.2 hectares (18.433 sq mi), from which 604.4 hectares (2.334 sq mi) are town's territory and 4,169.8 hectares (16.100 sq mi) rural territory.[r 1][r 2][r 3] As of 2008 2,824.5 hectares (10.905 sq mi) are occupied by forest and 246.2 hectares (0.951 sq mi) are used for agriculture. There are 5,830 separate owned land territories with 1,583 real estates.[r 3]

History

The earliest data about the territory are stone axes found around Inčupe and Pēterupe,

Krimulda parish.[r 4]

Before the formation of Saulkrasti, the territory was a part of Bīriņi parish.[r 5][r 6] The current Saulkrasti territory gradually formed by merger of several populated places on Inčupe, Pēterupe, and Ķīšupe river banks. In 1823 the Neibāde territory formed next to Ķīšupe River and was mostly Vidzeme's noblemen recreation and swimming spot that became quite popular after World War I. In 1898 Katrīnbāde swimming spot formed as Pabaži Manor estate was divided into summerhouse territories. In 1920 construction plans were conceived for Neibāde and Pēterupe towns.[3]

Pēterupe

After World War I and coastland town reforms[r 7] during the 1920–30s, unions, cooperatives, and various associations were established across Latvia.[r 8] After World War I the fishermen village[3] Pēterupe gathered the vicinage's economic life, including markets and association life.[r 8] In 1919 Pētērupe Fishing Association (Latvian: Pēterupes Zvejniecības biedrība) was established to represent interests of the fishermen, and purchase land and fishing tools. In 1923 the association moved into Bīriņi Manor Pub (Latvian: Bīriņu muižas krogs), illegally sold by Neibāde resort manager Paul Moltrecht. The pub was renovated, renamed Enkurs (English: Anchor), and became the local fishermen social gathering place with regular shows, concerts, and lectures.[r 7] The association had plans to build a port on the mouth of Pēterupe River, however construction never started.[r 7][4] The association was closed on May 1, 1938, by Fishermen's Central Union (Latvian: Zvejnieku Centrālbiedrība), whereby many fishermen joined Skulte's Zvejniekciems cooperative.[r 7]

Neibāde

Neibāde at the time was a quiet summer[r 8] resort location preferred by Rigans for its quiet region between Pabaži and Skulte.[5] The major local activity was at the local pub Āķu krogs (English: Hook pub) that housed public services, such as, a shop, a conference room, hairdressers, and a library. During the 1920s the pub exerted particular cultural influence and was supported by the State Cultural Fund (Latvian: Valsts kultūras fonds) on numerous occasions.[r 8] That year Pēterupe Cooperative Consumer Association (Latvian: Pēterupes kooperatīva patērētāju biedrība) was founded to provide their members with discount groceries and manufacturing goods; the Āķu Pub rented office space to the cooperation. The cooperative organized many cultural events, such as, a drama club, a choir, and lectures. In 1927 a separate location was allocated for construction of a new headquarters building, however it was never finished due to ineffective governing and the cooperative almost going bankrupt. The cooperative prominently sold merchandise on debt to workers, especially fisherman, and soon exhausted its resources and in 1932 held a public auction. After the May 15, 1934 coup d'état by Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis the cooperative was suspended, forbidden, and on April 9, 1935 — disbanded.[r 8] That year Neibāde was renamed Saulkrasti.[3]

After

rectory were nationalized.[r 5][r 6] The territory remained quiet in the 1930–50s and was given worker town rights in 1950.[7]

Skulte Port

At the start of the 20th century there had been several ports in Courland, but none in Vidzeme.[r 10][r 11] Various ports were being built across Latvia[r 10] and In 1911 the Ministry of trade and industry (Latvian: Tirdzniecības un rūpniecības ministija) began researching Neibāde and Pēterupe beaches for a suitable port location.[r 11] Neibāde at the time was a busy cultural and commercial location and Skule village was the largest fishing centre in Vidzeme with 100 fishermen and 40 motorboats, who in 1932 they joined Sea Fish (Latvian: Jūras zivs) cooperative.[r 11] The mouth of Aģe, which had served as a port before and was then used for boat towing,[r 10] was selected as the most suitable and cheapest location for port construction.[r 11] After years of inactivity, On May 21, 1937, president Kārlis Ulaminis decided to build the port.[r 10][r 11] The construction started in autumn 1937 with building of south mole and afterwards north mole. On September 30, 1938, port coastline plans were conceived. Along the port construction, nearby fish smoke-house was built.[r 11] The port was opened on October 7, 1939.[r 10][r 11]

Saulkraste region

In 1950 the Saulkraste region was formed by joining 19 local counties and 42

functionaries.[r 5]

Sulkrasti town became the centre of the region that coordinated a wide territory led by M. Slosmanis. Party and Komsomol Committees, and the Saulkrastu Stars (English: Saulkrasti Ray) newspaper editorial were formed in the Stirnu pub (English: Doe Pub), now the hospital building. Finance, culture, and education departments and municipal administration were located in the Saulkrasti Town Hall, together with the Saulkrastu Stars typography. The region's paperwork was now handled locally instead of through Riga.[r 5][r 6] Saulkrasti village was the center of Saulkrasti Region until January 1957.[r 6]

The only public transport to Riga was the often full intercity bus,[r 5] as railway lines had been detonated by Germans at the end of World War II.[r 12][r 13] On July 3, 1952, a railroad line to Saulkrasti was restored[r 12][r 13] and electrified in 1958.[7]

During this time new establishments and workforce increased demand for shops, catering, and other public services. Saulkraste region Consumer Society opened and began a trade organization within the region. In 1950 the town market was opened[r 5][r 6] at the planned location of Pēterupe Cooperative Consumer Association's headquarters.[r 8] However, public services developed slowly and had poor customer service.[r 5] Later in 1952 there were several canteens, teahouses, two shops[r 13] and a meat product shop.[r 12] In 1952 a regional hospital was opened.[r 12][r 13]

On July 16, 1950, Saulkraste Region held its first Song Festival. Saulkrastes Stars reports it as a colourful and solemn with many participants.[r 5][r 6] On July 8, 1951, the state's first Fisherman Day (Latvian: Zvejnieku svētki) was held with thousands of participants.[r 5] In autumn 1950 a high school[r 14] and night school opened,[r 6] and next year a renovated kindergarten.[r 5] In 1953 a new high school project was approved and construction began autumn 1954 until the school opened September 1, 1956. The construction was one of the biggest region's buildings costing 2 million roubles.[r 15][r 14]

Town hall of Saulkrasti

The culture saw a decrease in 1952, choir and dance collectives disbanded and Culture House management was being constantly changed. Zvejnieks also saw cultural decline with finances missing for musical equipment. The

Latvia SSR's young tourist rally takes place with participants and visitors from many USSR republics.[r 15][r 14]

The region, village, and local newspaper carried "Saulkraste" name for almost two years from 1950 to middle of 1952 until Saulkrasti name was restored in 1952.[r 6][r 5] In 1957 a new territorial reform in Latvia disbanded the Saulkrasti region.[r 15][r 14]

Rise of fishing industry

Vidzemes beaches had long been housing fishing industry.[8] In 1945–1946 fishermen started joining into unions[9] and in 1946–1948 into artels.[10] There were 16 artels in Latvia, and 5 in Vidzeme — the largest being 9. maijs (English: May 9), Zvejnieks (English: Fisherman), and Brīvais vilnis (English: The free wave).[11] Fishing kolkhozes received funds for tool production and installation.[r 5][r 6] Press reported artel Zvejnieks having twice exceeded their initial plan[r 5] by skillful use of new equipment and increase of their fishing fleet.[r 6] The first year following region's establishment, fishermen already towed a successful catch.[r 6]

A lot of Saulkraste attention was directed at kolkhoz construction — allocating long-term loans, supplying building materials, and educating construction specialists. In 1950 region's kolkhoz construction was funded by 328,000

roubles.[r 5][r 6] Kolkhozes competed socially in timber processing, land cultivation, grain sowing and harvesting, milking, and fish hauling.[r 5]

The 39 kilometres (24 mi) long Aģe river creek houses the Skulte fishing port (Latvian: Skultes zvejas osta), where artel's ships and motorboats anchored.[12] Next to the port was located Vidzeme's second largest [13] Skulte fish canning factory (Latvian: Skultes zivju konservu fabrika) office.[14] Fish salting workshop, freezer, fish smokery and cannery were one of the most modern in Vidzeme. The factory served all local fisherman.[r 14][14] Big catches prompted expansion and construction of new of Skultes fish processing workshops (Skultes zivju apstrādāšanas cehi),[r 12] and factory expanded yearly.[14] New equipment, semi-automated lines, and freezers were being built;[r 12] work organization was being revamped.[r 13] If the factory only made fish products before 1956, canned fish now became its primary produce. Production was exported to many countries, such as, Great Britain, France, Australia, Mexico, etc.[14]

During this time fishermen life significantly improved,[r 5][r 6] new electrified houses were built[12][r 14] in 1955–56 on the banks of Aģe.[r 15] One of that time's state's biggest and modern Culture Houses (Latvian: Kultūras nams) opened on November 8, 1956, in Zvejniekciems on Aģe's left side[12][r 15] and cost 2.5 million rubles.[r 14] Soon Culture House opens a drama club[r 12][r 13] and library.[r 14]

Population

As of beginning of 2008, there are 6,089 Saulkrasti residents, 2,771 of which live in rural areas. 57% (3,487) residents are of working age and 26% (1,611) beyond working age. 82% of the population are

Lithuanian and Estonian nationalities make up 7% of the population.[r 3]

Saulkrasti population between 1997 and 2008[r 3]
YearPop.±%
1997 5,528—    
1998 5,560+0.6%
1999 5,541−0.3%
2000 5,532−0.2%
YearPop.±%
2001 5,427−1.9%
2002 5,463+0.7%
2003 5,403−1.1%
2004 5,651+4.6%
YearPop.±%
2005 5,926+4.9%
2006 6,032+1.8%
2007 6,040+0.1%
20086,089+0.8%

Economy

Tourism

Beach in Saulkrasti

Saulkrasti attracts local and foreign tourists during the summer period.

In 2011, most visitors were from Russia, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland. In addition, 2011 has seen increase in bicycle touring through the city.[r 16]

Skulte fishing port

The port is currently being funded from

European Fisheries and European Regional Development Funds for over 5 million lats for construction of two new piers and a warehouse complex. With the completion of these constructions, the port will have completed reconstruction started in 1997. Currently one of the pier has been completed and work is under way to finish the warehouses by 2010/11.[r 17]

Education

Saulkrasti high school (Latvian: Saulkrastu vidusskola) was attended by 360 pupils in 2008/2009[r 3] and employed 38 teachers in 2007/8.[r 1]

Zvejniekciems high school (Latvian: Zvejniekciema vidusskola) was attended by 395 pupils in 2008/2009 and employed 27 teachers.[r 3]

Vidzeme Music and Art school (Latvian: Vidzemes jūrmalas Mūzikas un mākslas skola) was established in 1968 as Zvejniekciems Children Art school (Latvian: Zvejniekciema Bērnu mūzikas skola). The school started its Art department in 1995 and was renamed to its current name in 1997. The school had 288 student in 2008. Students participated in several competitions and some of their work has been shown in international exhibitions.[r 3]

Pre-school educational establishment "Brownie" (Latvian: Pirmsskolas izglītības iestāde „Rūķītis”) had 160 children and employed 22 teachers in 2008.[r 3]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

Saulkrasti is

twinned
with:

See also

  • List of cities in Latvia

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Saulkrastu pilsētas ar lauku teritoriju domes 2006. gada publiskais pārskats" [Saulkrasti city and rural territory Council's 2006 public report] (in Latvian). Saulkrastu Pilsētas ar Lauku Teritoriju Dome. 2006.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Saulkrastu pilsētas ar lauku teritoriju pašvaldības teritorijas Attīstības programma" [Saulkrasti city and rural territory Council's development program] (PDF) (in Latvian). Saulkrastu Pilsētas ar Lauku Teritoriju Dome. 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Saulkrastu novada pašvaldības 2008. gada publiskais pārskats" [Saulkrasti district municipality's 2008 public report] (PDF) (in Latvian). Saulkrastu novada pašvaldība. 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d "Senie laiki Saulkrastu teritorijā" [Saulkrasti territory old times] (in Latvian). Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Gurtiņa, Dagnija (April 2010). "Saulkrastu rajons — pirms 60 gadiem" [Saulkrasti region — 60 years ago]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 14.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Gurtiņa, Dagnija (April 2010). "Saulkrastes rajons" [Saulkraste region] (PDF). Saulkrastu Domes ziņas (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 6.
  7. ^ a b c d Gurtiņa, Dagnija (July 2009). "Pēterupes ziedu laiki" [Best of times in Pēterupe]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 10.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Gurtiņa, Dagnija (February 2010). "Divi jubilāri Saulkrastu vēsturē" [Two birthdays in Saulkrasti history] (PDF). Saulkrastu Domes ziņas (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 7.
  9. ^ Transehe-Roseneck, Astaf von (1935). Genealogisches Handbuch der livländischen Ritterschaft (in German). Görlitz. p. 1021.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ^ a b c d e "Vēsture - Skultes ostai - 70" [History - Skulte Port - 70] (in Latvian). October 7, 2009. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Gurtiņa, Dagnija (October 2009). "Pirms 70 gadiem atklāja jauno Skultes ostu" [Skulte Port opened 70 years ago]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 10.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gurtiņa, Dagnija (May 2010). "Saulkrastu rajons — pirms 60 gadiem" [Saulkrasti region — 60 years ago]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 17.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Gurtiņa, Dagnija (May 2010). "Saulkrastu rajons" [Saulkrasti region] (PDF). Saulkrastu Domes ziņas (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 10.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Gurtiņa, Dagnija (June 2010). "Saulkrastu rajons 1955. un 1956. gadā" [Saulkrasti region in 1955 and 1956] (PDF). Saulkrastu Domes ziņas (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 6.
  15. ^ a b c d e Gurtiņa, Dagnija (June 2010). "Saulkrastu rajons — pirms 60 gadiem" [Saulkrasti region — 60 years ago]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 16.
  16. ^ Memmēna, Gita (October 2011). "Aizvadītā sezona un tūrisma plūsmas statistika" [The past season and tourist traffic statistics] (PDF). Saulkrastu Domes ziņas (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 2.
  17. ^ Pētersone, Ilze (June 2010). "Ostā projekti par vairāk nekā 5 miljoniem latu" [Projects in port for over 5 million lats]. Saulkrastu Avīze (in Latvian). Saulkrasti. p. 17.

Notes

Bibliography

  • Pormanis, I. (1963). Pa Vidzemes jūrmalu [Along Vidzeme seashore] (in Latvian).
    Rīga
    : Latvijas Valsts izdevniecība (English: Latvia State Press).

External links