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Midsummer at and on the Lakes of Ludza

The Ludza municipality has eighteen lakes in total, but the two most familiar to me since childhood are Ludzas Mazais ezers (Little Lake) and Ludzas Lielais ezers (Great Lake). The latter is the 17th largest lake in Latvia by area, at 8.46 km². Both lakes are connected by a small canal beneath a bridge that separates the two parts of the town.

Little Lake of Ludza

The Little Lake is intended primarily for peaceful rest (motorboats are prohibited here; only rowing is permitted) - swimming at the well-appointed beach; sunbathing or simply sitting on the large wooden rafts placed on pontoons and moored to the shore; fishing; watching the black ducks with their broods of ducklings, or the white swans; delighting in yellow and white water lilies; strolling along the shore on a cobbled promenade where every so often one can find the silver silhouette of a city key set into the paving.

Great Lake of Ludza

The Great Lake attracts anglers and, in autumn, duck hunters. On it are four sizeable islands, and from it a fantastic view opens over the old hill fort where the ruddy ruins of an ancient castle are preserved, with the white church towers clearly visible in the distance. It is no coincidence that this is one of Latvia's oldest cities - always a border and fortification town against attackers since time immemorial. From history: on the lake shore are the Kreiči settlement of Stone and Early Bronze Age inhabitants (mid-3rd millennium BC - mid-2nd millennium BC) and Ķīšu Hill Fort. The key and sword on the town's coat of arms express its historical mission.

It is said that the Great Lake of Ludza is home to pike, perch, roach, bream, tench, eels, ruffe, crucian carp, carp, and pike-perch. The most patient and skilled anglers can verify this for themselves.

For the second year running we now have a tradition of visiting with friends at my parents' home, which is about a hundred metres from the Little Lake of Ludza, and enjoying the pleasures of water, sun, and beautiful nature. This year the refreshing nearness of the lake was particularly welcome when the thermometer climbed above thirty degrees during the Midsummer holidays and the lake water warmed to above 21 degrees.

A few photographic moments from last year and this year, which may perhaps also inspire you to head to one of the lakes on a free day. Oh yes, I almost forgot to mention, for your information - it never rains in Ludza at Midsummer ;)