Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park

The  Āraišu lake settlement is the only reconstruction of a 9th-10th century fortified settlement in Europe. The park is distinguished by its unique archaeological findings, the reconstruction's location in its original setting and the well-preserved cultural landscape typical of Vidzeme, which contrasts positively with the modern urban environment. Guided tours on the ancient Latgalian way of life and building traditions are available. Programmes for different age groups, both children and adults, which help to better understand and feel the life of the ancient people in the Lake District.

The inhabitants of Lake Āraiši were mainly engaged in farming, animal husbandry, crafts and trade, as well as hunting, fishing and forest beekeeping. Already during the excavations, the idea of reconstructing the lake castle and creating the Āraiši Open-Air Archaeological Park was born. During the reconstruction, replicas of the original buildings were made from excavated construction details, and replicas of ancient tools were used in the decoration work. The reconstruction of the ancient settlement of Āraiši, the lake castle, has a high degree of historical reliability.