Centre building is opened from 19th of October in 2012. The building is shaped like a copy of fisherman house „Cēlāji”, which was built in 1966 and located near the Gauja River crossing place. In 1966 the original building was transferred to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.
In 14th- 17th century, one of the main and oldest roads connected Riga and Pärnu. The road went from the Daugava River crossing the River Gauja in Carnikava and along Lilaste and Salavgrīva arrived in Pärnu. Once there where three river crossing places in the Gauja River. The house owners of „Celāji” did their duties even till 19th century. Today in the Local History Centre you can get to know local history and cultural heritage – the population living and fishing traditions, with it’s permanent exhibition.
Open on Tuesdays , Wednesdays , Thursdays , Fridays 10:00 – 16:00 and Saturdays, Sundays 11:00 – 15:00
In any time visits possible by calling +371 29128086.
Address: Jomas iela 7, Carnikava
Although the Carnikava railway station was opened in 1933, the structure of the station building is approximately 160 years old. This unique gem of wooden architecture was partially transferred from the St. Petersburg-Warsaw railway line, which crosses Latvia between Kārsava in Latgale and the former Zemgale railway station near the Lithuanian border.
Just as the lamprey, the main building of the railway station has become a symbol of this town. Carnikava, the railway line and lampreys have had something in common for a long time. In the 1930s, when special tourist trains became fashionable, lamprey tasting was also included in the Limbaži direction’s excursion offer. An item from the collection of the Latvian Railway History Museum – a, somehow, unused ticket – proves this.
In the history of Carnikava, Gauja is mentioned as an important place for sailors. At the time when the Libyans called Carnikava as “Sarnikau”, the Germans called it “Koivemundi” (mouth of the river), highlighting the mouth of Gauja. Carnikava was originally formed as a fishing village, where the Gauja River with its outlet into the sea served as a significant source of income for fishermen, especially lamprey fishing increased the wealth of the former Carnikava manor. In the past, trees were floated along the Gauja, thus it became an important waterway. Gauja is Latvia’s longest river (452 km), and it begins its journey in the Vidzeme highlands, but ends by meeting the sea near us in Carnikava.
It is in Ādaži municipality, near Carnikava, that the Gauja, Latvia’s longest river, meets the Gulf of Riga. The mouth of the Gauja is unique, it can enchant anyone, so we recommend visiting it by boat “Sarnikau” or one of the wooden boats “Sandra” or “Evelīna”.
https://www.carnikavaskugitis.lv/
https://www.carnikavaskokakuteri.lv/
It is possible to observe more than 232 species of birds in the coastal nature park “Piejūra” located in Carnikava parish, especially in the territory of the left bank of the Gauja, including the Gauja mouth.
ATTENTION: In order to restore the former population of small terns in the mouth of the Gauja River, the Nature Protection Board will close the mouth of the Gauja River to visitors again from May 1 to July 31 this year. During this period, people are invited to choose other recreation areas and routes for rest and walks on the beach.