In a half an hour driving distance from the centre of Riga, in the northern part of the city — Vecmīlgrāvis — there is an architectural monument of national scale — culture palace “Ziemeļblāzma” surrounded by a 5 ha large park.
Origins of the culture palace "Ziemeļblāzma" date back to 30 March 1903 when patron Augusts Dombrovskis presented a land plot to the Abstinence Society "Ziemeļblāzma" and promised to look after the maintenance and development of it.
In the middle of the park there is the culture palace "Ziemeļblāzma" that is both of a historical and cultural value and is a unique architectural heritage of the Art Nouveau period. Patron Augusts Dombrovskis was not a professional architect, therefore planning of some rooms and the implemented solutions can be considered rather original.
The first building of the culture palace was built together with establishment of the park, but it was burnt down several years later, therefore to avoid the possibility of repeated burning, wood was used very little for the second time construction works took place.
Notable reconstruction and restoration works have been performed in the culture palace "Ziemeļblāzma" and its 5 ha large park to renew and adapt not only the premises of the culture palace to contemporary requirements, but also to improve, restore and supplement the versatile objects and greenery of the park.
The palace park boasts several ancient objects and some newly established recreation areas. During the restoration works the rotunda and the mushroom have been renewed using the columns of the burnt-down building of the culture palace for their foundations. Alley of vines has been re-established, which initially was of a height to allow a horse cart to ride through during the traditional Children's Festival; the artificial grotto has also been renewed; French-style garden with a fountain, children's playground and multifunctional recreation and sports field have been established. The ancient tea-house with a tower has also been renewed.
From the city centre you can reach the park and culture palace "Ziemeļblāzma" by:
- Bus No. 2 to the bus stop Kultūras pils "Ziemeļblāzma" (direction towards Vecmīlgrāvis),
- Bus No. 24 to the bus stop Kultūras pils "Ziemeļblāzma" (direction towards Mangaļsala),
- Electric train from the Riga Central Station to station Ziemeļblāzma (direction towards Carnikava, Saulkrasti or Skulte).
Park territory — open to public daily from 06:00 to 23:00.
Information centre — open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Café — open daily from 12:00 to 20:00.