THE SITE
Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park is among the most significant archaeological and heritage sites in Latvia, offering an extraordinary journey through the prehistory and early medieval history of the Baltic region. Situated in the picturesque Gauja National Park, near the town of Cēsis, the park is surrounded by forests and lakes that have shaped settlement patterns for thousands of years. As a multifaceted heritage site, the park preserves unique archaeological remains while serving as a centre for experimental archaeology, education, and public engagement.
At the core of the park is the reconstructed Āraiši Lake Castle, or ezerpils, a ninth-to-tenth-century settlement originally established by the Latgallians, one of the most prominent ancient Baltic tribes. The site is unique in Latvia and rare in Northern Europe, representing a type of fortified wooden settlement built on a small island in Lake Āraiši for defensive purposes. Archaeological excavations, first initiated in the late 1960s and continuing over subsequent decades, uncovered an extraordinary wealth of material. Researchers identified the remains of 151 wooden buildings, all meticulously studied and some of them later reconstructed to reflect their original layout. In addition, over 3,700 artefacts were found, including household objects, tools, weapons, jewellery, and more than 100,000 pottery fragments. The waterlogged conditions at the site preserved organic materials such as wood, leather, and textiles, providing scholars with detailed evidence of the construction methods, daily life, diet, clothing, and craft traditions of the Latgallians during the Viking Age.
The significance of Āraiši Ezerpils is not limited to its archaeological richness. The site holds the status of a cultural monument of national importance and has become a focal point for research into the settlement patterns of the wider Vidzeme region. There are ten identified lake settlements in Vidzeme, and ongoing research links Āraiši to a network of prehistoric sites that reveal how ancient Baltic peoples adapted to their environment and organised their communities. These sites also document the evolution of defensive strategies, social hierarchies, and trading contacts during a dynamic period of European history. In recognition of their unique value, discussions are underway regarding the nomination of Āraiši Ezerpils and related lake settlements for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a process that would bring international recognition and strengthen the protection of these outstanding sites.
The Archaeological Park is not solely dedicated to the Viking Age. Its open-air displays include life-size reconstructions of Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings, based on evidence from archaeological research. These reconstructions allow visitors to visualise and compare the changing architectural styles, building materials, and settlement forms across different prehistoric eras. This layered approach helps to convey how human ingenuity and environmental adaptation have shaped life in the region over thousands of years.
Adding to the historical depth of the park is the presence of the ruins of a fourteenth-century castle built by the Teutonic Order on the nearby mainland. This stone fortress represents the arrival of new political forces, architectural traditions, and social structures in Latvia during the Middle Ages, and it highlights the region’s importance at the crossroads of Baltic and European history.
Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park operates as an active centre for experimental archaeology, where researchers, craftspeople, and volunteers collaborate on the reconstruction of ancient technologies and building techniques. Throughout the year, the park hosts workshops, educational programmes, and cultural events that engage schools, university students, and the wider public. These activities encourage hands-on learning, foster an appreciation for Latvia’s archaeological heritage, and ensure that traditional crafts and skills are passed on to new generations.
Interpretation at the park is designed to appeal to a broad audience. Informative exhibitions and guided tours are available in multiple languages, and the park’s reconstructions are based on the latest scholarly research to ensure both authenticity and accessibility. Special events, such as archaeological festivals, historical reenactments, and traditional craft demonstrations, create opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the everyday realities of Latvia’s distant past.
Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park is managed by Cēsis Municipality, which is responsible for safeguarding the site, developing its educational mission, and maintaining high standards of heritage conservation. Through these efforts, the park stands as a model of integrated heritage management, combining rigorous research, public involvement, and international cooperation. The park’s continuing development reflects Latvia’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural landscape, making Āraiši Ezerpils not only a key archaeological site but also a vibrant community resource and a source of national pride.
THE TRAINING COURSE
The European Heritage Training Course in 2026 offers participants the opportunity to engage in the reconstruction of a Viking Age wooden building, employing traditional construction methods based on archaeological evidence and historical craftsmanship. This training course forms part of a multi-year initiative within Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park aimed at reconstructing prehistoric wooden architecture through experimental archaeology.
The construction of the building began during the 2025 European Heritage Training Course, when the initial stages of the timber structure were established. Participants carried out the preparation and shaping of wooden elements and assembled a substantial part of the structural framework of the building, advancing the reconstruction to approximately half of the intended construction. The 2026 training course will continue this work and aims to complete the remaining stages of the structure, bringing the reconstruction of the recreated building to its final stage.
Guided by skilled craftsmen from Latvia and Germany, historians, and archaeologists, the participants will continue working with locally sourced timber and applying authentic woodworking techniques using traditional tools such as narrow-blade axes and bevels. The practical work will focus on completing the timber construction through the fitting and assembly of remaining structural elements, finishing the interlocking log joints, installing natural insulation with moss harvested from the surrounding forests, and completing the roofing system using bark and split wooden logs. Through these activities, participants will contribute to the completion of the building while gaining direct insight into historical woodworking techniques and prehistoric construction practices.
The programme will be complemented by guided visits to related archaeological and other heritage sites, and expert-led discussions, ensuring that the training course provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. Through practical engagement with historic techniques and intellectual exploration of conservation principles, the training course will enhance the understanding of prehistoric wooden architecture while contributing to the future safeguarding of lake settlements as a valuable part of Europe’s cultural heritage.
An integral element of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations. Each participant is required to prepare and deliver a presentation related to the thematic focus of the activities on site, introducing a case study from their country of origin. This component connects the practical work undertaken during the programme with comparable heritage practices in different cultural and institutional contexts. Through this structured exchange, participants reflect on conservation approaches, management frameworks, and current challenges, contributing to a broader comparative understanding of heritage preservation. The presentations are intended to encourage critical dialogue, intercultural exchange, and the articulation of informed professional perspectives within an international group of emerging heritage practitioners.
The project will take place from August 17th to August 29th, 2026 and is jointly organised by European Heritage Volunteers and the Āraiši Ezerpils Archaeological Park.
