Lauciene Rural Territory
Population: 1923
Area: 180.3 km²
Density: 10.7 per 1 km²
Lauciene Rural Territory is located 11 km from Talsi in south-eastern part of Talsi Municipality. Lauciene is located in centre of a former manor Nurmuiža (Nurmhusen) and until 1939 Laucene itself was called Nurmuiža (Nurmhusen). Name Lauciene derives from translation of Livonian name nurme meaning “field”. Motorway Rīga-Jūrmala-Talsi passes through the centre of Lauciene Rural Territory.
At the end of 12th century territory of Lauciene Rural Territory was a part of ancient Curonian state called Vanema. In 13th century after Livonian Crusade it was incorporated in Terra Mariana (Land of Mary), direct subject to Holy See. In 1930’s name of the territory was changed from Nurmuiža (Nurmhusen) Rural Territory to Lauciene Rural Territory. In 1945 territory of Lauciene Rural Territory was divided in Lauciene, Dziedri, Odre and Pļavas Villages, but the rural territory itself was liquidated. In 1954 Odre Village and in 1965 Okte Village were added to Lauciene Rural Territory. The borders of Lauciene Rural Territory were also changed in 1971 and 1975. In 1990 the status of Lauciene Rural Territory was renewed.
When driving through the centre of Lauciene you cannot miss the local churches tower which is 47 meters high. Nurme or Nurmuiža Lutheran Church built in 1594, with its thick stone walls, an altar and pulpit decorated with magnificent wood engravings and paintings by unknown artists, is certainly one of
Courland’s most beautiful monuments of art and architecture (Contact person for visits Alda Smilgzieda, Phone: +371 63291185). Churches congregation and
Lauciene Elementary School has a strong cooperation with Wolf Lackschewitz and Lutheran congregation from Kivik, Sweden.
In surroundings you can find Nurmuiža Palace of Livonian Order which was built in the second half of 16th century to develop local agriculture. In 1566 it was bought by Baron von Fircks. With its 14 half a manors it was third largest privately-owned manor in Courland. Nurmuiža baron family vault – built in 1850. Since 2004 Nurmuiža Palace is managed by Nurmuižas Pils Ltd (Contact person – Andris Lindbergs, Phone: +371 29171700). Reconstruction of the palace and household buildings, as well as conservation and improvement of surroundings is in progress.
While visiting Lauciene Rural Territory tourists can visit the beautiful stronghold of ancient Curonians – Mežites Hillfort constructed around the year 700 A.D. For three years students of archaeology from University of Latvia are excavating the hillfort.
A part of Lauciene Rural Territory, together with parts of two other rural territories forms Talsi Hillock Nature Park which is included in NATURE 2000 network. It gives the necessary motivation for tourism development and participation in EU cooperation projects.
While visiting Lauciene Rural Territory we recommend you to visit final resting place of Pastor Karl Friedrich Amenda, who was a friend to famous compositor Ludwig van Beethoven, near Talsi Rectory. Just as well, you can enjoy magic Lake Sapņu (Lake of Dreams) or take a look at the monumental stone Velnapēda (Devil’s foot). Or go to Šķēde Forest, which is not only rich with its beautiful sights and biological diversity, but also with Europe grove which was planted in 1st of May, 2004. In this grove each of European Union countries is represented by a specific tree.
The Europe grove is located in Hillock Natural Park.
12 Talsi Municipality’s institutions are located in Lauciene Rural Territory.
Administration of Lauciene Rural Territory: (www.talsi.lv, “Pagastmāja”, Lauciene, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285), Phone: + 371 63291356, fax: +371 63237670, Email: lauciene.parvalde@talsi.lv, Chairperson of Administration of Lauciene Rural: Pēteris Bekmanis (Phone: +371 28318467, Email: peterisbekmanis@inbox.lv)
3 educational institutions: Lauciene Elementary School (Director Oļegs Solovjovs, Phone: +371 63291459, Email: olegs.solovjovs@talsi.lv), Pre-school Educational Institution “Bitīte” (Director Ivika Zēberga, Phone: +371 63291616, Email: ivika.zeberga@talsi.lv), Children Play and Development Centre “Mārīte” (Director Mārīte Zvirgzdiņa, Phone: +371 63291508, Email: marite.zvirgzdina@talsi.lv)
3 libraries: Lauciene Library (Head of Library Daiana Bočkore, Phone: +371 63291507, Email: daina.bockore@talsi.lv). In Pļavas, the second populated place in Lauciene Rural Territory, the Local Government is responsible for Pļavas Library (Head of Library Benita Šurišina, Phone: +371 63200106, Email: benita.sursina@talsi.lv), and library in Old People’s Home “Lauciene” is named after writer Auseklis (Head of Library Daiana Bočkore, Phone: +371 63291507, Email: daina.bockore@talsi.lv).
4 institutions in Lauciene Rural Territory are responsible for culture and sport activities. Sports centre “Lauciene” (Director Normunds Krūze, Phone: +371 28385008, Email: normunds.kruze@talsi.lv), Lauciene Culture House (Director Zane Zvirgzdiņa, Phone: +371 63291801, Email: zane.zvirgzdina@talsi.lv), Leisure Centre (Manager Ina Jurkevica, Phone: +371 29187554, Email: ina.jurkevica@talsi.lv). In Pļavas, the second populated place in Lauciene Rural Territory, Local Government is responsible for Pļavmuiža Meeting House (Maneger Dina Bērziņa Phone: +371 26559775, Email: dina.berzina@talsi.lv).
Also the Talsi Municipality’s Old People’s Home is located in Lauciene Rural Territory called “Lauciene” (www.lauciene.lv Director Andis Kukītis, Secretary’s Phone: +371 63237645, fax: +371 63237652, Peron on Duty: +371 63291677, Email: pans.Lauciene@inbox.lv). The Old People’s Home gives home to 150 persons and employs many people from the county.
Local Government of Lauciene Rural Territory
Lauciene Rural Territory has a lot of commercial undertakings and entrepreneurs who operate in different fields of business. The picturesque country boosts tourism and “Pie Pūces” gives tourists a great place to spend a night, with its beautiful park like garden, fireplaces and camping grounds. Here farm „Jaunčakši” (Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285; Phone: +371 28136334) with its homey rooms and a swimming pool awaits its guests. Guest house “Strēlnieki” also invites you to its swimming pool and outdoor hot tub (Ingmārs Kuklis, „Strēlnieki”, Pļavas, Laucienes Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 26474065, Email: ingmars@kuklis.lv).
In Lauciene Rural Territory many farms engage in agriculture, seven in dairy farming and one is a beef-cattle farm. Main direction for nine farms in parish is horticulture and market gardening and three engage in cultivation of grain, the largest is “Laucienes Zemes” ltd (Phone: +371 29183254)
Farm “Kalndruvas A” (Uldis Ansons, „Kalndruvas”, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 63291548) is engaged in poultry farming and is produces ecological eggs. Farm has received status of a biodynamic farm. Honey and pollen products manufactured by beekeepers Dzintra and Jānis Indrikson’s are very popular.
Honey from Indriksons family
In Lauciene you can enjoy and purchase ornamental winter-hardy plants at Daylily Selection Garden, located 10 km from Talsi just next to motorway Talsi-Jūrmala. Selectionist Varis Banģeris, who is also a winemaker, offers to taste and purchase delicious house wines (http://www.daylilie.lv, IK „VARIS&A”, „Mierkalni”, Lauciene, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 29457055, Fax: +371 63291301, Email: info@daylily.lv). Landscaped garden in Ilvija and Vilnis Neiland’s farmhouse “Vijas” will make your day with its elegant and harmonious living environment („Vijas”, Odre, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 29473197).
Daylily garden
In Lauciene we have 3 stores: Ziedonis Rozentāls store“Laucienes Bode” (Phone: +371 63291546), KIKSS ltd (Phone: +371 63291362), Madaras AG ltd (Phone: +371 63291441) and café “Galdiņ’ klājies!”(Phone: +371 63291574). In Pļavas consumers are expected in “Pļavas” ltd store “Pienenīte” (“Irbēni”, Pļavas, Lauciene Parish, Talsi County LV-3285).
In centre of Lauciene you can find the only postal office of Lauciene Rural Territory (Phone: +371 63291439).
Lauciene ambulatory care clinic ensures the health of the people (Phone: +317 63291591) and it employs family doctor Evija Sporāne (Phone: +371 26461066) and nurse Iveta Ziemele. And their prescribed drugs you can purchase in Lauciene pharmacy “Aptieka Nurme” ltd (Phone: +371 63291409).
Territory of company Vika Wood
The largest sawmill in Latvia is located in Lauciene Rural Territory – joint venture company Vika Wood (www.vikawood.lv, „Punti”, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 63291800, Fax: +371 63291801, Email: mudite.vinerte@vikawood.lv) it employs more than 150 people from Lauciene, Talsi and surrounding areas. And nearby you can find SBE Latvia ltd – producer of wood pellets (www.sbelatvia.lv, „Griķi”, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 63291363, Fax: +371 63291361).
Also in territory of parish you can find grant deposit of national importance Kurzeme – manager Rudus ltd (www.rudus.lv, „Lejaslabiņi”, Lauciene Rural Territory, Talsi Municipality, LV-3285, Phone: +371 67702602, Fax: +371 67702605, Email: rudus@rudus.lv ). Here are also smaller sawmills, fish-processing plant Taimiņs ltd etc.
