Valkas novadpētniecības muzejs

About the museum

The Valkas novadpētniecības muzejs (Valka Local History Museum) presents the history of the Valka district and especially promotes the cultural heritage left by the educator and founder of Latvian choral culture, Jānis Cimze (1814–1881), and his pupils. The aim of the museum is to foster public interest in the historical processes in the Valka district.

The exhibition “Vidzemes draudžu skolu skolotāju seminārs un tā audzēkņu kultūrizglītojošā darbība” (Seminary for the Teachers of the Vidzeme Parish Schools and the Cultural Education Work of Its Pupils) tells of the history of the Valka–Lugaži district from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, and of the seminar led by Cimze and the careers of its pupils. Visitors can hear the sounds of the organ, piano and harmonium and see first editions of the choral songbook “Dziesmu rota” (Song Wreath).

The exhibition “Valka — Latvijas neatkarības šūpulis” (Valka — Cradle of Latvian Independence), opened on 2 December 2017, tells of the socio-political events in Valka from 1914 to 1920, including the preparatory work for the organisation of the Latvian state and the formation of the Ziemeļlatvijas brigāde (North Latvian Brigade). The museum regularly changes its art exhibitions, and in the storage at Semināra iela a exhibition of Soviet-era household objects can be seen.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Valka — Latvijas neatkarības šūpulis” with interactive multimedia solutions
• Exhibition on Jānis Cimze's teachers' seminar with musical instruments and first editions of “Dziesmu rota”
• Wax figure “Skolotāju skolotājs Jānis Cimze” (Teacher of Teachers Jānis Cimze)
• Storage exhibition of Soviet-era household objects
• Tours in Latvian, English and Russian

Permanent exhibitions

• Valka — Latvijas neatkarības šūpulis – Exhibition on the socio-political events in Valka from 1914 to 1920 and the formation of the North Latvian Brigade.
• Vidzemes draudžu skolu skolotāju seminārs un tā audzēkņu kultūrizglītojošā darbība – Exhibition on Jānis Cimze, the seminar he led and the work of teachers in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
• Padomju okupācijas laika sadzīves priekšmeti. 1950–1990 – Storage exhibition on the kitchen and living room of a Soviet-era flat.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free for everyone on 4 May, 18 May and 18 November.

The price of €2 applies to admission to the permanent exhibition. Free admission for pre-school children, pupils of children's homes, pupils of educational institutions in the Valka municipality, persons with disabilities and their companions, politically repressed persons, museum staff and ICOM members.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor of the museum is accessible to people with limited mobility via a paved concrete ramp to the left of the main entrance; however, there are separate door thresholds. It is advisable to register the visit by phone on +371 2612 3980. Magnifying glasses are available for people with visual impairments. The storage at Semināra iela 27A is not accessible to people with special needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family ticket; museum education programmes, such as “Mācību stunda seminārā” (A Lesson at the Seminary).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit