Discover Latvia: 6 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew About This Baltic Gem

1. Castlemania in Latvia

Latvia must have been suffering from an extreme case of castlemania during medieval times, as it appears to be dotted with more castles than a game of thrones intro scene: In destinations such as Sigulda, Cēsis, Koknese, Bauska, Riga, and Ventspils, you'll find a grand collection of castles and palaces from the Baltic Crusades era as well as 18th and 19th-century noble residences, making it a dream destination for history enthusiasts and castle lovers alike.
Source => onlatvia.com

2. Fashionable Black Storks

Birds of a feather flock together, but in Latvia, it's the black storks who really know how to paint the town red: These striking avian residents not only sport scarlet red bills and legs, but also boast a vibrant, colorful plumage after turning one - with the added fashion-forward ability to switch their legwear to brown during winter months.
Source => looduskalender.ee

Did you know there's a 16th-century weigh house in the Netherlands that saved people from being executed as witches? Find out how the Museum de Heksenwaag played a vital role in proving innocence!

=> Fun Facts about The-Netherlands

3. Spooky Musical Tradition

Forget trick-or-treating, Latvia's got something that's equal parts spooky and musical: Mārtiņdiena, celebrated on November 10, is a single-day event where people dress up as dead spirits called budēļi or ķekatas, sing songs, and create music with household items like jars, bottles, and pot covers, only to burn their costumes afterward to symbolize the burning of their failures and bad energy.
Source => happykids.lv

4. Unique Sauna Experience

Latvia: where the heat is on, tree branches are in, and pond plunges are all the rage! Prepare yourself for a spiritual ride as you experience the unique twist on sauna tradition: In Latvia, the sauna, known as "pirts," comprises of four purifying sessions using natural ingredients like birch and juniper, ultimately ending with a refreshing dive into a serene pond to cleanse both the body and soul.
Source => trafalgar.com

5. Sustainable Baltic Beats

Mixing some Baltic beats with good ol' sustainability stew: Latvia's Positivus festival is not only the hotspot of the Baltic region for its fire line-up including the likes of Metro Boomin, Earthgang, and Megan Thee Stallion, but it also turns up the heat with a 10% discount for ISIC cardholders and the "Sustainable Positivus" program, ensuring each beat drop is as earth-friendly as possible.
Source => positivusfestival.com

6. Riga: Art Nouveau Paradise

When life gives you Latvia, make Riga-nade: The capital city of Latvia is an architectural paradise, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases more than 800 stunning Art Nouveau buildings, making it the largest and most captivating collection in all of Europe.
Source => currentresults.com