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Town in Cēsis Municipality, Latvia
Photo: Modris Putns, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ligatne (Latvian: Līgatne) is a town in Gauja National Park in Latvia.
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In operation since 1816.
The huge bunker complex covers an area of 2000 m² underground. It was designed by the Soviets to be a control headquarters in the event of a nuclear war. The bunker was so secret that even Ligatne residents did not know of its existence until 2005.
Walk around the village and explore all the little cave that have been dug into the soft sandstone. More caves near the centre as well as near the Tourist Information Centre can be found. Also follow the track up bordering the southern end of the village. It lead over a bridge named after a former resident – such named bridges were pretty common in this region.
To get to the ex-Soviet bunker or the Rehabilitation Centre, you can walk straight through the forest, north-east-wards.
For tracks see a map like OpenStreetMap, which many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz use. It has many foot paths recorded. Or just ask at the tourist information centre.
The "good nature" festival of music and outdoor activities. Next held in 2026.
Here you can eat something at a reasonable price, including friendly service. The restaurant closes at 20:00 and afterwards, especially on weekdays, there is not much else to find to eat in the remote place. FB.
On weekends you can eat a snack here.
Kūrortviesnīca Līgatne
The socialist buildings may surprise, but the hostel is good value for money. The buildings are on top of the ex-Soviet bunker.
Lāču miga
Hotel and restaurant in a modern log cabin construction overlooking the forested river in Līgatne valley. But probably overpriced.
By car
From Riga, take the Cēsis road (Brivibas iela) out. Augsligatne is 17 km after Sigulda, and Ligatne is 6 km down a road to the left after Augsligatne.
Everything in Ligatne is basically within walking distance. Nevertheless, you may wish to take a taxi, bus or hitch to the ex-Soviet bunker at Skalupes (4 km). But also hiking there through the forest is possible.
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