Seaside Open-Air Museum season opening with Mazbānīte and creative activities
22.04.2026 - 13:14
On Friday, May 1, from 10:00 to 17:00, the Seaside Open-Air Museum (Riņķa Street 2) will be open to visitors to the 19th century peasant and fisherman's homesteads of the Kurzeme coast. Each farm will offer visitors activities - they will be able to learn something new about the ancient household customs and way of life in the Kurzeme fishing villages.
The museum's territory also houses several impressive buildings, such as the new Boat House, Windmills from Užava Parish, and the Lielirbe Baptist Prayer House.
From May 1, the only historical (1916) narrow-gauge railway field-gauge steam locomotive with passenger carriages in the Baltic States, affectionately called Mazbānīte, will also start operating. The train, which has been featured in several films and is particularly popular with railway history fans, will resume operations from Thursday to Sunday - you can check out the timetable here. museum.ventspils.lv
From May 1, the only historical (1916) narrow-gauge railway field-gauge steam locomotive with passenger carriages in the Baltic States, affectionately called Mazbānīte, will also start operating. The train, which has been featured in several films and is particularly popular with railway history fans, will resume operations from Thursday to Sunday - you can check out the timetable here. museum.ventspils.lv
On each trip, visitors will have the opportunity to learn historical facts about how the narrow-gauge railway was created and developed in Kurzeme., what was the social significance of the bānīš in the development of coastal villages, and about the power of community that is relevant today - how the railway brought people together, providing a connection between home, work, and celebrations.
From april 1st season was also kicked off by a military heritage site - the fire control tower of the 46th Coastal Defense Battery. (Saulrieta Street), which is open to visitors after renovation. The tower is open every day from 9:00-20:00 until October 31 and is free of charge.
Admission to the season opening event with museum entrance tickets - 6 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for students, 12 EUR for a family ticket.
Mazbānītis price list
Ring line (1.4 km) - 4 EUR for adults, 2 EUR for students, 8 EUR for a family.Mountain line (3 km) - 6 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for students, 12 EUR for a family.
We would like to inform you that during Ventspils Museum events, photography, video or audiovisual recording may be performed to ensure information transparency and for illustrative and artistic purposes, publicity, marketing and interviews. Photos and videos may be posted on the Ventspils Museum portal. www.museum.ventspils.lv, www.ventspils.lv as well as on social networks Facebook, Instagram.
