Seda (Latvia)

Seda is a town in the Valka district of Latvia, with 1,700 inhabitants. It lies 20 km from Valka and the Estonian border.

Understand
Seda is one of the youngest towns and an industrial centre built in 1953 for the workers of the nearby Seda peat marshes. The inhabitants were brought here from all over the Soviet Union. Built in the best traditions of the Stalinist style of the post-World War II period: with the same yellow cover and decorated with luxurious columns of a palace; only a monument of Lenin in front is missing. In Russia this style is common, but for the Baltic states the sight is unusual. Traces of decline are hidden by external cosmetic repairs.

Get in
There are three trains and several buses a day from Riga, going to Valga, Estonia. They all stop in Seda, see 1188.lv.

Get around
Seda is so small, anything beyond walking is largely overdrawn.

See

 * Seda is a monument of Stalinist architecture. It's a perfect place for people seeking Soviet nostalgia. The design and structure of the town centre is a wonderful example of the monumental architecture of 1950s Stalinist times, which has not been ruined by any new building yet.

Do

 * Walk around those three streets – it will not take more than an hour.

Buy
In the central square there is a small shop with unknown opening hours.

Sleep
Check out the observation towers in the Peat bogs, if you have sleeping bag and mattress. They might have a roof and thus be sufficient for an overnight stay.

Otherwise, check out the options available in the nearby town Strenči.

Go next

 * Strenči – 5 km southwest. Features a mental hospital in a nice surrounding.
 * Valka – A unique town on the Estonian border, which runs through the town centre, creating Valga on the other side. It is close to regaining the status of an important cultural centre.
 * Smiltene – Features a manor, some castle ruins, and a watch tower over the surrounding area. Not very interesting, but quite cosy and slightly larger than Valka, and not far from the Pskov highway.