Madona Town, Latvia

Madona (German: Modohn) is a town with town rights in the Vidzeme region of Latvia and is the center of the Madona municipality.

City of Madona covers approximately 10.41 km2 and about 7646 people live there (as of 01.01.2018); approximately 87% of them are Latvians, but the rest are foreigners.

Madona is the administrative center of Madona district. The district was founded in 2009 and it incorporates the City of Madona and 14 municipalities. This is the third largest district in Latvia and the largest in Vidzeme region. The district covers approximately 2153.4 km2 and about 24,728 people live there (as of 01.01.2018).

The distance between Riga and Madona is 166 km.

Brief history
The Madona Manor (from the German word Madohn or Modohn) or Biržu Manor most likely was established in the 17th century. The narrow-gauge railway line constructed at the turn of 19th and 20the century connecting Stukmaņi (Pļaviņas) and Valka affected the further development of the city and had a positive impact on the local population. A regular traffic was implemented in 1903, placing one of the stations also in Madona. Therefore, Madona became a local center.

In the spring of 1921, Madona had more than one thousand inhabitants and received rights to become an individual village. In 1923, the first architectural plan was developed for Madona; furthermore, names were allocated to the central streets. But on June 7, 1926 Madona became a city, thus proving that it is one of the latest cities in Latvia.

Tourism in Madona
In the eyes of visitors the city seems special due to its picturesque landscape. Interestingly enough, Madona is one of the highest places in Latvia – it is located 122-193 meters above sea level.

Madona is also one of the most popular winter recreational regions in Latvia, thus we have a saying that Madona is the winter capital of Latvia. That is based on both hilly terrain and natural steadiness of snow. During winters snow in Madona is deeper and remains one month longer than elsewhere in Latvia.

The city is characterized by a pronounced peace in contrast to the bustle of big cities; it is blessed with green parks, colorful greenery and refreshing fountains. A stroll through the city from the Gathering Square (Saieta laukums) to the Madona Regional Studies and Art Museum will be a true enjoyment for everyone regardless of the season; although, you may also choose to take a stroll through our parks or wide and clean streets. We highly recommend everyone to watch advertisements by local companies and learn something from the information posted on the environment screen, to pass through the Love Ravine, to rest next to one of the highest fountains in Latvia and to appreciate magnitude of the most ancient stone buildings. As a contrast, you can also experience modern and renovated buildings – House of Culture, Musical School and educational institutions. As a peculiar trend or feature of the city’s architecture, several buildings have upper story extensions built on the extant foundations, thus combining certain lightness in appearance and modernism with practicability and functionality of use. Don’t miss the Madona Regional Studies and Art Museum! Step inside to take look at the 4 to 5 different exhibitions displayed at the same time. That will also give you a chance to buy something nice at the Tourist Information Center established within the museum to remember your trip to Madona or to acquire a new guide for your future trips to other Latvian cities.

When travelling with a car, we recommend visiting several of our most significant active recreation sites, for example, City of Madona Sports Center, a multifunctional building used for various sporting and cultural events, and Kart Circuit suitable for practicing, competitions and recreation as it allows one to pay for a kart and experience the true flow of adrenalin. It is worth visiting Sports and Recreational Base “Smeceres sils” with well-established ski runs developed in line with the requirements mandatory for international competitions. Furthermore, the base offers other sporting and entertainment options both in winter and summer. The accommodation and premises for events are also available at the base.

Madona covers a small enough area for everyone to be capable to go or run around it. A magnificent and well-light ring road beloved by pedestrians, cyclists, Nordic walkers and runners goes all around Madona. Since the city has a hilly landscape, if you choose to take the ring road and travel around it, you will enjoy an attractive panorama over the city when reach the highest point.
www.madona.lv