Smiltene

Latvian Cities
name=Smiltene
Coa=Smiltene gerb.png



Caption=
citysince=1920
location_

n1=57
n2=26
e1=25
e2=54
othernames=Smilten (old German name)
Mayor=Ainārs Mežulis
nrofmembers=11
District=Valka
area=7.8
Water=
Rural=
Elevation=153
population=5880
density=753
postcode=LV-4729
callcode=47
webpage=http://www.smiltene.lv

Smiltene (audio|Smiltenepronunc.ogg|pronunciation) is a city in the Livland region of in northern Latvia, 150 km northeast of the capital Riga. It has a population of 5,880 (2008).

The name

Its original name was Smiltesele (the ending probably came from the russian "selo" - village), later it was called Smilten in German before adding the Latvian ending and thus becoming Smiltene. [ [http://www.valka.lv/?id=24 The name of Smiltene through time] (Latvian)]

Geography

Smiltene is located in the Northern part of the Vidzeme highland on the shores of the river Abuls. There are three artificial lakes on the river in Smiltene, the biggest natural lake - Klievezers is in the Southern part of Smiltene. The city centre is 106 above the sea level, the highest spot is on Klievu street - 145.14 metres above the sea level. There are three possible meteorite craters in Smiltene.

History

The area around Smiltene was a part of the Latgalian lands of Tālava. After Crusaders had taken over most of the modern day Latvia, the area was part of the lands of the bishop of Riga. In 1359 on the steep hill near the river Abuls was built a castle. The tradesmen and craftsmen village around it - Smiltestele - first is mentioned in historical documents in 1427, since 1523 it was called a town. During the Livonian war the castle and the town were brought to ruin by the army of Ivan the Terrible. Under Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Smiltene and the area surrounding it were controlled by the starosta Kaspar Mlodecki.

In the early stages of the Great Northern War Smiltene was burnt down by the Russian army. After the war the area became devastated due to hunger and Bubonic plague. In 1708 the Swedish government built a new church and started the restoration of the village of Smiltene.

In 1760 the Russian empress Catherine II gave the Smiltene manor as a present to the Governor-General G.Braun. During this time the manor was restored, from 1763 to 1771 were built manor buildings which have been still preserved. After the death of Braun his heirs sold the manor to the Riga merchant J.S.Baundau who's family had it for almost 100 years.

In 1893 the Smiltene manor was bought by Paul Lieven (of the Lieven family of Baltic German aristocrats), he split the land in parcels thus creating the foundations of the modern day city. In 1901 electricity was connected in the Smiltene manor house. For Lieven's money a hospital, sawmill and electric station were built in Smiltene in 1903. After his suggestion and with his financial support a narrow gauge railway was built from Smiltene to Valmiera.

In 1920 Smiltene was granted the rights of the city in the Latvian Republic. In 1935 there were more than 400 dwelling houses and many industrial companies in Smiltene. On September 22, 1944 during the retreat of the Nazi army at least 297 buildings were destroyed in Smiltene.

From 1950 to 1959 Smiltene was a regional centre [ [http://www.travellatvia.lv/8/20/?pilseta=129 History of Smiltene] (Latvian)] .

ights

* Ruins of the Smiltene castle (14th century)
* the Smiltene Lutheran church
* Kalnamuiža (the Smiltene manor house)

ports

The most popular sports among the Smiltene youth is football [ [http://www.ziemellatvija.lv/portals/sports/raksts.html?xml_id=4012 In the football history of Smiltene - a victory against Brazil] ] (Latvian)] , the local club Abuls Smiltene however is not especially strong and is one of the outsiders of the Latvian First League. Since 1969 there is also an ice hockey team in Smiltene. [ [http://www.republika.lv/?id=article&nid=945 Always devoted to ice-hockey] (Latvian)]

ister cities

* Willich, Germany
* Wiesenbach, Germany
* Pincara, Italy
* Pisek, Czech Republic
* Nakskov, Denmark
* Pustomyty, Ukraine [ [http://news.frut.lv/lv/culture/6286 Article about the City festival of Smiltene] (Latvian)]

Notable people

* Artis Gāga (saxophonist)
* Pēteris Sils (poet)
* Andīna (poetess)
* Kārlis Puriņš (professor at the University of Latvia, minister of finance of Latvia from 1918 to 1919)
* Einārs Tupurītis (runner) [ [http://biblioteka.smiltene.lv/?id=29 Calendar of birthdays of notable people from Smiltene] (Latvian)]

References