Salacgriva
Encyclopedia
Salacgrīva is a town in Limbaži County, in the Vidzeme
region of northern Latvia
. The town has a port, situated on the mouth of the Salaca
river and the Gulf of Riga
. Salacgrīva is 104 km from Riga, and 10 km from the Estonian border.
The biggest annual music festival in Latvia Positivus festival is held nearby.
As early as the 6th century, the mouth of the Salaca
was a Liv
settlement known as Saletsa. In 1226 Bishop Albert of Riga built a fortress Salis or Salismünde here, but by the 18th century, it had been completely destroyed by war. Even into the 19th century, the village remained remote and poor, until the construction of a port and shipping industry in the 1870s vitalized the village. A harbor and pier were built, and the mouth of the Salaca
was dredged to allow greater shipping access. For a short time Salacgrīva was northern Vidzeme
's chief port, handling exports such as grain, flax, and wood for transportation to either Riga
or P'rnu. Over 200 ships a year called port at Salacgrīva.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Salacgrīva lost its importance. The port of Ainaži
to the north outpaced Salacgrīva, and the opening of the Riga-Valka railroad allowed Vidzeme
's exports to be shipped directly to Riga
. By 1909, only 150 ships called at Salacgrīva per year, mostly for timber floating down the river
.
In the first period of Latvian independence (1918-1940) Salacgrīva enjoyed growth and prosperity. The village received its city rights in 1928, and by 1935 there had just under 1,000 inhabitants, employed as port workers, carpenters, merchants, and fisherman. Salacgrīva was Vidzeme
's chief fishing center.
Salacgrīva escaped the large confrontations in World War II
, but under Soviet power experienced many changes. The fish-processing center was transferred from Ainaži
to Salacgrīva, and to facilitate factory output, Salacgrīva's port was entirely rebuilt. New houses were built to accommodate the growing population. By 1990 the population reached 3,000. On the northern bank Fisherman's Park was built, featuring a stadium and open-air amphitheater.
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
region of northern Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
. The town has a port, situated on the mouth of the Salaca
Salaca
The Salaca is a river in northern Latvia. It flows from Lake Burtnieks in Vidzeme, 90 km, to the Gulf of Riga. The river flows through three towns, Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva. The riverbanks feature Devonian red sandstone cliffs, and many caves and rapids as well. The Salaca is one of...
river and the Gulf of Riga
Gulf of Riga
The Gulf of Riga, or Bay of Riga, is a bay of the Baltic Sea between Latvia and Estonia. According to C.Michael Hogan, a saline stratification layer is found at a depth of approximately seventy metres....
. Salacgrīva is 104 km from Riga, and 10 km from the Estonian border.
The biggest annual music festival in Latvia Positivus festival is held nearby.
History
Salaca
The Salaca is a river in northern Latvia. It flows from Lake Burtnieks in Vidzeme, 90 km, to the Gulf of Riga. The river flows through three towns, Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva. The riverbanks feature Devonian red sandstone cliffs, and many caves and rapids as well. The Salaca is one of...
was a Liv
Livonian people
The Livonians or Livs are the indigenous inhabitants of Livonia, a large part of what is today northwestern Latvia and southwestern Estonia. They spoke the Uralic Livonian language, a language which is closely related to Estonian and Finnish...
settlement known as Saletsa. In 1226 Bishop Albert of Riga built a fortress Salis or Salismünde here, but by the 18th century, it had been completely destroyed by war. Even into the 19th century, the village remained remote and poor, until the construction of a port and shipping industry in the 1870s vitalized the village. A harbor and pier were built, and the mouth of the Salaca
Salaca
The Salaca is a river in northern Latvia. It flows from Lake Burtnieks in Vidzeme, 90 km, to the Gulf of Riga. The river flows through three towns, Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva. The riverbanks feature Devonian red sandstone cliffs, and many caves and rapids as well. The Salaca is one of...
was dredged to allow greater shipping access. For a short time Salacgrīva was northern Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
's chief port, handling exports such as grain, flax, and wood for transportation to either Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
or P'rnu. Over 200 ships a year called port at Salacgrīva.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Salacgrīva lost its importance. The port of Ainaži
Ainaži
Ainaži is a harbour town in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. The town is located near the Estonian border on the site of an ancient Liv fishing village. Before 1917, it was known by its German name Haynasch ....
to the north outpaced Salacgrīva, and the opening of the Riga-Valka railroad allowed Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
's exports to be shipped directly to Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
. By 1909, only 150 ships called at Salacgrīva per year, mostly for timber floating down the river
Salaca
The Salaca is a river in northern Latvia. It flows from Lake Burtnieks in Vidzeme, 90 km, to the Gulf of Riga. The river flows through three towns, Mazsalaca, Staicele and Salacgrīva. The riverbanks feature Devonian red sandstone cliffs, and many caves and rapids as well. The Salaca is one of...
.
In the first period of Latvian independence (1918-1940) Salacgrīva enjoyed growth and prosperity. The village received its city rights in 1928, and by 1935 there had just under 1,000 inhabitants, employed as port workers, carpenters, merchants, and fisherman. Salacgrīva was Vidzeme
Vidzeme
Vidzeme is one of the historical and cultural regions of Latvia. Literally meaning "the Middle Land" it is situated in north-central Latvia north of the Daugava River...
's chief fishing center.
Salacgrīva escaped the large confrontations in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but under Soviet power experienced many changes. The fish-processing center was transferred from Ainaži
Ainaži
Ainaži is a harbour town in the Vidzeme region of Latvia. The town is located near the Estonian border on the site of an ancient Liv fishing village. Before 1917, it was known by its German name Haynasch ....
to Salacgrīva, and to facilitate factory output, Salacgrīva's port was entirely rebuilt. New houses were built to accommodate the growing population. By 1990 the population reached 3,000. On the northern bank Fisherman's Park was built, featuring a stadium and open-air amphitheater.