Healing Mineral Waters and a Town Called Pigeons

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Ever since the 15th century the healing mineral waters of the Baldone region have been well-known. Baldone village came about in the 17th century and an estate was built near the mineral springs. When the Duchy of Courland ruled Baldone had several kilns where iron ore was forged. Baldone became the site of the oldest medical treatment facility in the Baltic States in 1796. It was at this time that Baron von Korff of the Baldone estate established an institution that offered mud baths. The main sanitarium for mud baths was built between 1937 and 1939 by architect ArtursKrumins. The sanatorium is located in a park which dates back to 1818 and within the park are 27 coniferous trees and shrubs. Here one can see a memorial stone which commemorates the original sulfur spring in the region and in 1939 a sculpture called “Mara” was placed here by sculptor VoldemarsJakobsons. Baldone got its rights as a town only in 1991. Between 1823 and 1824 the Baldone Lutheran Church was built in the Empire Style and has a tower with several levels. Another building of architectural importance is the so-called White Castle and is one of the sanatorium buildings, built in the late 19th century. It is a Neo-Gothic two-story building with towers in the corners. Today it is home to a children’s music school. The main building of the Mercendarbe Estate which dates back to the second half of the 18th century is located a bit out of the town center. At one time is was a hunting castle for the region’s barons and is now a children’s home. The town of Baldone itself is found in the Kekava River Valley. On Riekstu or Nut Hill which is 85 meters tall stands the radio-physics observatory of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. A Town Called Pigeons In English the name of the town of Balozi translates to Pigeons. Balozi is located in Kekava Parish and it began as a worker’s village and in 1947 a peat factory was established here. To the west of the town is the Medema Swamp from which peat is extracted still today. The buildings of the town are scattered and in the town center are a number of apartment buildings dating back to the Soviet era. In the forest that surrounds Balozi is Lake Titurga. A photo of the White Castle