LÄ«gatne

Līgatne, since 2009 Līgatnes novads, ( German Ligat ) is a small town in northern Latvia on the banks of the Gauja.

History

The town was built around a paper mill, which was founded in 1815 by Justus stork. Towards the end of the 19th century to the factory workers' housing, a hospital, a cultural center, kindergarten and other facilities. In a social model unikalen the workers free housing, heating, electricity, child rearing, pensions, etc., was granted. The factory was evacuated during World War II to Russia, and blown up partially on the retreat of the German army in 1944 - but continues to exist until today. 2009 united the city with its rural community to Līgatnes novads.

Ligatne located near the Gauja National Park, which you can access through a historic ferry.