Jelgava in your pocket

This pretty city situated on the banks of the Lielupe river is the provincial capital of Zemgale. It was first mentioned in historical documents in 1264, when the Livonian Order began to build a wooden castle on what is now Jelgava. The new Jelgava castle was built during the reign of Duke Biron (1737 - 69). In 1795 the Duchy of Courland was united with Russia.

Over the centuries Jelgava developed into a trade and manufacturing centre. In the 18th century, Jelgava was Latvia's major printing centre. The first Latvian-language newspaper was printed here. After becoming a rail centre in the 19th century, the city was nearly destroyed in WWII. Today, it is the only inland maritime harbour in Latvia and it's also the most significant industrial centre of the Zemgale region.

Jelgava boasts being the birthplace of the first Latvian republic's last president, Kārlis Ulmanis. Jānis Čakste, Latvia's first president, and Alberts Kviesis, Latvia's third president, both graduated from the same Jelgava high school.

Getting there
Buses headed for Jelgava leave Riga's bus terminal relatively frequently as do trains from the central station.