The splendour of sulfur water and mud resort town

Text by Valdis Čeičs and photos by Solveiga Kaļva, www.solveigaspiedzivojumi.lv

The Ķemeri mud resort town history is tangled with the sulfur water that makes the town what it is nowadays. The name Ķemeri first time is mentioned in the 16th century. A household “Kemmeru” on the same place where is nowadays Ķemeri town. Back then already people knew about the healing properties of the sulfur springs near this house because the researchers have found different items that were offered to the spring as a gift for received healing. Also mentioned that the household has accommodated sick persons and the sulfur water was brought to them, but the first research about the sulfur spring healing properties was done only in the 19th century. The development of Ķemeri town started, when the nobles were coming here for healing and in 1836 the Russian emperor Nicholas I donated money to establish accommodations for the bathing facilities. Soon the railway station was built and in 1911 even the first direct trains from Moscow arrived. Ķemeri bloomed from a single household to a resort with magical water. During the World War I Ķemeri is the front line and the established facilities were burned.  After the war the newly formed Latvian government re-built it all again and this time with even more modern facilities. The pride of Ķemeri was the so-called “The White Ship”, that was one of the most modern hotels in Europe at this time, that could accommodate more than 100 people. During World War II the buildings survived, but the Soviets nationalized it and continued to develop it. In the 1970-ties in Ķemeri were even 10 sanatoriums and more than 100 doctors treating patients in sulfur and sea mud baths. In the 1990ties the resort’s economy collapsed together with the Soviet Union. Nowadays Kemeri resort is in a re-built mode.

In the history of Ķemeri the wilderness has been spoiled by human activity, like peat industry, deforestation and wars, but nevertheless here still are Latvia’s biggest wetlands. Ķemeri has preserved its untouched nature and has never been highly populated because of its border land and regional nature. The woodpeckers love this territory because of the many fallen trees, where they can find food. Form 9 woodpecker species that live in Latvia 8 of them live here. To protect all of this in 1997 was established the Ķemeri National Park. It is an exciting place to walk around and to see the Ķemeri historical resort sites, lovely wooden architecture, wet broadleaf forest, Black Alder swamp, Green Dune and the Swamp of the Witches. One of the most popular destination is the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk, that takes the visitors to the world of moss, small pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes, and the smell of wild rosemary.

Join our tour – Romantic town, green dune, bog and sulfur water in Kemeri

What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT
36 reviews on
Carmen Daams
Carmen Daams
2023-09-22
I took the Kuldiga trip with Valdis. The experience was amazing. The entire day was great. He is a great guide, and knows a lot of interesting information. He would definitely make your whole experience even better. Kuldiga is such a captivating city, very unique with a very special style and soul. If you are visiting Latvia, don't hesitate to take this trip, it is a "must".
Stanley Wallerstein
Stanley Wallerstein
2023-08-29
Great Tour and great guide. Baltic Nature Travel is excellent.
Maria M Andrade
Maria M Andrade
2023-08-28
Valdis organized an absolutely wonderful 10 day trip to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania trip for my sister, a friend, and myself. He arranged all details including our private chofer and tour guide up the last detail. He went far and beyond when he knew I had an accident in Estonia. We met him Latvia and he make us feel welcome. He recommended the most amazing restaurants for us and he took care of my doctor needs where he was the interpreter. In every country we had the best guys one can possibly ask for. All hotels were walking distance from city centre. Thank you Valdis we will always remembered this trip!!!!
Sarah Daniels
Sarah Daniels
2023-08-21
Thank you, Valdis, for helping my family have a wonderful two week trip to the Baltics! Your advice and recommendations were very helpful, and our tour guides in 4 different cities were each outstanding! I highly recommend a vacation in the beautiful and fascinating Baltics, and I highly recommend using Valdis to help you plan it.
Rita Derencius
Rita Derencius
2023-08-09
Tours and tour guides, Tomas and Mindaugas, exceeded my expectations. We were able to curate our tour of Lithuania. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and adapted the tour based on our input. Valdis was responsive and easy to work with. Extremely happy we chose to have private tour guides. Best trip ever!
Deniz Demirors
Deniz Demirors
2023-08-08
Valdis did amazing job to organize us a 15 day, 14 night self drive adventure trip to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Thanks to his valuable advise before and immaculate documentation with names of the locations, guides etc we had a magical experience. We hiked, biked, walked, beached and off course drive all over in all 3 beautiful countries. We felt very safe. Everyone we met were very friendly. The car was delivered to our first hotel in Tallinn and picked up from last hotel in Vilnius. They were professional and kind people. We encountered few minor issues but Valdis resolved very promptly so our program was not impacted. We met him in Riga as he was our guide. Thanks to Valdis & his team of guides we had an unforgettable time and experience. Valdis is very gently, kind, hears his clients wishes and makes adjustments in his existing programs. Job well done Valdis. Thank you very much.
Catherine Herway
Catherine Herway
2023-06-24
These are the only places on earth where eastern and western architecture can now meet in harmony. The architecture tells a social history translated into excellent English on this tour! The hotels were clean, comfortable, and safe. The food was outstanding as well, I only wish I had more time!
Artur Iwański
Artur Iwański
2023-05-03
A very good and interesting guide. Customized trips - which is very useful. If you want to get to know Latvia (which is worth it!) there is no one better. Highly recommended.
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
Giovanni Paolo Palamara
2023-01-07
Very interesting trip. Definitely worth it!

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Baltic Nature Travel
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