Dobele - city of sun!
The Town of Sun as Dobele is sometimes called is situated 70 km to the south from the capital of Latvia Rīga, on the banks of the Bērze river, where the Eastern Courland plateau meets the Zemgale plains . Dobele is crossed by highways leading to Bauska, Liepāja, Jelgava and Tukums, also the railway line Rīga-Liepāja crosses the town.
Dobelene, Doblen, Доблень - these are the versions of the name of our town used over different periods of time. There have been settlements near modern Dobele since the Stone Age. Archaeological excavations prove existence of a settlement around the castle mound dating back to first millennium B.C.
Dobele is a growing town where life becomes more steady and beautiful with every passing day.
The historical Dobele downtown shaped in 16 -19th centuries on the left bank of the Bērze River along major communication routes (now Brīvības and Viestura Streets), and around a market square. The market square was built together with the church. It remains a historical town centre until now. Public events and festivities are held at the market square, including concerts, fairs and sports competitions. The Dobele Evangelical Lutheran Church built in 1495 is a treasure house of town history.
Dobele people come together in Livonian order castle ruins to celebrate the Midsummer Eve and the holidays. Opposite the ruins of Dobele castle is situated the restored Dobele Freedom Monument, the work of Kārlis Zemdega, opened in 1996. It has become the symbol of the town.
Dobele is most beautiful during the lilac blossom time. Museum was opened in honor of the well-known plant selection breeder, gardener and photo artist Pēteris Upītis (1896 -1979). It hosts memorial events and exhibitions. The lilac collection is one of the largest in the world. Classical music concerts are performed every spring when the lilac trees are in blossom.
Dobele is proud of its famous townsmen - Kristofors Fīrekers, Augusts Bīlenšteins, Pēteris Upītis, Hilda Vīka, Jūlijs Students, Mārtiņš Straumanis and Veronika Strēlerte.
Facts about Dobele and Dobele district
Dobele District is situated in south-western Latvia, 70 km from Rīga. The territory of the district is 163,000 hectares.
Nine rivers with the total length of 534 km flow through the district. From the point of view of water power the Bērze, tributary of the Svēte is of the greatest importance. There are more than 80 lakes in the district, many of which are rather small, though. The greatest number of lakes is situated in the western part of the region. The largest of these lakes is the "legendary" Zebrus, its area being 420 ha.
There are six protected nature territories of European significance "Natura 2000" in the region - Tērvete Nature Park, nature reserves "Vīķu purvs", "Līvbērzes liekņa", "Ukru gārša", "Skujaines un Svētaines ieleja", "Zebrus un Svētes ezers".
The total population of the district reached 38,414 in 2006, in Dobele there is population of 11,390.
History of the Town of Dobele
The first written data regarding Dobele date back to 1254, when it is mentioned in the act of division of Zemgale lands between different powers, as the result of which Dobele came under the rule of order of knights (Livonian Order).
A sword is depicted on the coat of arms of Dobele not without a reason - between 1279 and 1289 the e castle of Zemgalians and town sustained several attacks by the crusaders. Livonian Order started building a stone castle in 1335. Documents from 1444 mention a settlement of merchants and craftsmen - the town of Dobele. In 1495 Wolter von Plettenberg - master of the Order - issues a decree initializing building of a church in the town.
Under the rule of Duke Jacob in the mid-17th century rapid economic growth came to the town - a water mill with both grain mill and sawmill was erected, as well as wool processing plant, brewery, vinegar plant and others.
In the 19th century the development gains speed. Agricultural, social and culture societies are established, there are several schools. In 1870 the first Kurzeme Song Festival takes place in Dobele.
In 1917 Dobele is granted town rights.
In 1920's - 1930's the town again developed comparatively rapidly. Since 1950 Dobele is an administrative centre.
The coat of arms of Dobele Town
Description of the coat of arms of Dobele Town - red field with a silver line in the proportion of the colors of the national flag, with a sword slantwise across it. The coat of arms symbolizes the heroic struggle of Zemgalians.
The coat of arms was approved in 1925.
The flag of Dobele Town
The flag of Dobele Town is a two-color fabric rectangle composed of a white rhomb with the coat of arms of the town in its centre, and two dark-blue triangles. Their hypotenuses form the lines from the left bottom corner and the right top corner of the flag, and they are parallel to the sword axis of the Dobele coat of arms.
The author of the design pattern is architect Jānis Kukša. The flag of Dobele Town was approved in 2004.
Dobele Town Council
Address: 17 Brīvības Street, Dobele, LV-3701
Phone: +371 63721360
Fax: +371 63722463
E-mail: dome@dobele.lv
Website: www.dobele.lv
Dobele District Council
Address: 15 Brīvības Street, Dobele
Phone: +371 63722237
E-mail: dobelerp@apollo.lv
Website: www.dobelesrp.lv
PHOTO GALLERY DOBELE
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