Mazsalaca

Mazsalaca ( German: Salis castle) is a town in northern Latvia on the right bank of the Salaca.

History

The Germans settled in 1224 the place. The part of the name " castle " probably refers to an older Wallburg towards the later manor, on the left side of the Salis. Excavations there the outline of a Liven Castle of 70 m in length and 30-60 m width Days.

The Good Salis castle existed since the late Middle Ages. The first buildings of the present city Mazsalaca originated in 1861 after the squire Arnold von Vietinghoff local farmers provided the first 42 plots and a bridge was built over the Salaca. The market town was part of the Republic of Latvia, 1918-40, 1918 had 1100 inhabitants in 1928 and received a city charter. 1935 was Mazsalaca then from 300 private land (3 brick - and 183 wooden houses ), high school, primary school, pharmacy and some other public buildings. Of the 1492 residents at that time, 98% of Latvian nationality. In the years 1935-37 the railway branch line Riga - Rūjiena was built, the station Mazsalaca was opened on 9 October 1937. 1940/41, the site was occupied in 1941-44 by the Russians and the Germans. The railway line was destroyed in 1944 by the retreating Wehrmacht in 1977 and restored. After Latvia's independence from the Soviet Union has already taken place in 1996/97 the definitive closure of the railway line for reasons of profitability. In the Soviet period until 1991, a textile factory, a dairy and a supplier of automotive parts were the biggest employer. Today is a big forestry company the most important employer.

The Lutheran Church

The church from the Middle Ages was significantly rebuilt in the years 1669, 1692 and 1783. In 1890 an extension was added in form of a cross, which served as a community space, and in 1927 a new tower was built. Also worth mentioning are the baroque altar from the late 17th century and the altar painting " The Last Supper " from 1760, which is one of the most beautiful rococo paintings of sacred art in Livonia. The church was used during the entire Soviet period.

Estate and castle

The manor is first mentioned in 1528, on the occasion of Verlehnung several pieces of land by the Chapter Master Wolter von Plettenberg at Vintzens of Stene. After this Rötger hair was owner of the estate and by 1547 Hofrichter the Grand Master Hermann von Brüggenney, Balzer Falkenberg. His son, Henry, captain to Kirrumpäh, it still had 1601. King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden in 1631 confirmed the Conrad and Melchior Falkenberg their property right to such property. Hence the still in use today for the mansion Latvian name " Valtenberg ". The son Conrad, Chamberlain Gabriel Falkenberg, Salis castle 1674 sold to Bartholomew foam, the nephew and heir, Benjamin Ickermark, left it in 1678 to Field Marshal Christopher Horn. His heirs sold it in turn to the Vice President of the manorial court, Russian ambassador and District Baron Gustav Georg von Völkersahm. This was the builder of the great, still existing castle, which was built around 1780 according to the design of the Dresden architect Friedrich August Krubsacius in German Classicism, and had the soft, the old wooden mansion. The castle is a two-storey building with 62 rooms and large mansard roof at that time. Above the entrance, which was supported by two marble columns, a balcony was a wrought iron railing. Due to the style elements, it is believed that the building was projected to 1775 and no later than 1800 completed. The porch (winter garden ) on the back seems to have been renovated in the 19th century, as can be neo-Gothic motifs suggest the railing.

The daughter of Gustav Georg von Völkersahm, Juliane Marianne, married to Reinhold Johann Peter von Vietinghoff remained until her death in 1851 Erbherrin on Salis castle. Shortly afterwards handed her eldest son childless, Order Judge Gustav Georg von Vietinghoff, possession still alive to his nephew Arnold Baron Julius von Vietinghoff. Last Men on Salis castle was in 1904, his son Oscar. His grandson Arved of Vietinghoff lives today. Known descendants of this line of Vietinghoffs are Arnold Freiherr von Vietinghoff Riesch, Egon von Vietinghoff and Joachim von Vietinghoff. Other descendants of the former owners are now still living in Sweden counts and barons Falkenberg.

The farm originally encompassed 16,813 acres, on which there were, among others, two mills. After the abolition of serfdom in the 19th century, sold 10,856 acres of farmland and 25 acres of Hofland. During the Russian Revolution of 1905, the castle was set on fire and was in consequence of a burned-out ruin. 1911, a temporary roof was built and boarded up the windows to preserve the buildings poorly. Baron Oscar von Vietinghoff and his father lived in Riga and in the summer in Bilderlingshof at the Riga beach, from where they regularly went to the management of the property after Salis' castle. 1919, the rule was expropriated and nationalized. Baron Oscar refrained 1919 had granted him the small portion ( called Restgut ) and then lived in Berlin.

Plans for the reconstruction of a school were taken in 1925 in attack, 1932-34 central heating was installed and installed a water tank on the roof. Later (1957 ) was the attic floor strengthened with 17 windows to accommodate more classes. From 1932 to 1976, the former manor house served as a high school, then it was elementary school and the high school moved into a new building, which still to some extent is to the right of the primary school. The house was almost demolished on September 24, 1944 during the retreat of the Wehrmacht against the Red Army together with the bridge by the Germans. But fishermen discovered at night in the solicitation of a network and the fuse broke the connection. The Castle ( primary school ), at the initiative of the head teacher and the mayor from 2000 to 2003 thoroughly renovated, with the support of the partner city Harsewinkel. Im also renovated annexe left of it today affect social workers under the auspices of the Red Cross.

Skaņaiskalns Park

Salis Burg- Salis - Sandsteinfelsen_1.jpg This former manor house is also still surrounded by a large park. The current flowing through the park Salis rises in Burtnieker lake, and flows 95 km in Salacgrīva ( German: Salis Warnemünde ) in the Baltic Sea. She eats so through the red sandstone that in the park in several places up to 300 m long and 20 m high walls arose with flushed caves. The most famous place is ( once called " echo " ) called " sound mountain " where the echo of speech or song of up to 90 meters away from the wall standing is thrown back, so that the listener believes the shore, the sound coming out of the wall This very unusual phenomenon itself is the main tourist attraction of Mazsalaca. On the way there, partly through the forest partly along the river, are located along with rest and picnic areas, small natural wonders such as the werewolf - pine, the Angel and the Devil's Cave, the Devil's Pulpit, cloves rocks and other natural features such as a bathing place and a source.

Conservation

The two river banks are to the mouth now a nature reserve, which houses, among other things, beaver and otter. There is a specific biotope with rare flowers. The area is a popular destination for hikers, bicycle and canoe tourists. The 3 km long route from the mansion, now the school, to the " echo " is equipped with many wooden sculptures Latvian artists. The heroes and mythical creatures shown relate to the rich Latvian legends and myths.

Others

• The microbiologist and later politician August Kirhenšteins (1872-1963) was born here.
• Harsewinkel ( Germany ) and Mazsalaca maintain a twinning.

Mazsalacas novads

Since an administrative reform of 2009, the district Mazsalaca consists of the city and four surrounding rural communities. 2010, reported 3953 inhabitants. ( See also: Administrative divisions of Latvia )

Gallery

Sign in front of a building

View of the town

Typical wooden house

The Salis from the bridge at the entrance

The angels cave in the sandstone banks of Salis.