Ludza

Ludza is first mentioned in 1177, which makes it the oldest recorded town in Latvia, and it sits on a narrow ridge between two lakes with the ruins of a Livonian Order castle on the high point: a fortress of the 1390s reduced to walls and tower stumps but commanding the isthmus and both lakes. Below it the town keeps low wooden and brick houses, an eighteenth-century Catholic church, a synagogue building and an Orthodox church, reflecting the mixed Latgalian, Polish, Russian and Jewish population the region had. The Ludza craftsmen's centre works pottery, weaving and other trades and receives visitors. The town is small and quiet.

What you actually see

• The castle ruins - the Order fortress on the ridge between the lakes.
• The two lakes - Maza and Liela Ludzas ezers either side of the town.
• Mixed places of worship - the Catholic, Orthodox and synagogue buildings.
• The craftsmen's centre - the working pottery and weaving.

When to go

May to September for the ridge and the lakes; the castle is open at any time. The craftsmen's centre keeps daytime hours. Winter is long and cold in Latgale.

Honest expectations

The castle is a fragmentary ruin with limited interpretation. The town is small and half a day covers it. Facilities are modest. Signage is mainly in Latvian.

Nearby

Rezekne lies west; the eastern frontier is close.