Jaunpils Park

Visitors to Jaunpils Castle Park can enjoy walks in the shade of 100-year-old trees and appreciate a number of historical architectural objects.

The castle’s landscape park began to be built in the mid-19th century during the reign of Christoph von der Recke (1836–1899). It is said that the nobleman ordered the gardeners to plant trees so that they would form the Recke family coat of arms when their leaves grew. By the end of the 19th century, gravel paths had been laid throughout the park. Several interesting objects of interest have been preserved here – a few stately trees and a stone bridge. The bridge is engraved with the year and monogram of Baron Georg August von der Recke (1871–1905), the palace’s owner who died prematurely in the Karlovy Vary spa resort (Karlsbad in German): “G. A. v. d. R. – 1905″. A romantic path along the riverside leads to Mīlestības akmens (Love Rock), once a popular meeting place for residents of Jaunpils.

A flock of sheep was introduced to the Jaunpils Castle Park in 2018. The idea for these “lawn mowers” is borrowed from England and Ireland, where this practice has been sustained for generations since grazing is the best way to restore lawns’ biodiversity. The sheep graze in the park from the first warm days of spring until October.

The park is a mid-19th century architectural monument of national importance. You can visit the Jaunpils Watermill, which was built more than 200 years ago. Jaunpils Castle lies next to the park. It was built in 1301 as a fortress for the Livonian Order. The castle is the most notable building in Jaunpils and is its most popular tourist destination. You can still feel the aura of the Middle Ages here and every year in early August, a magnificent medieval festival takes place in the castle.

Jaunpils Castle Park appears in Latvian director Arvīds Krievs’ film Dancis pa trim (Three to Dance, 2011).

Additional info

Jaunpils Castle, the church and water mill alongside the park.