Open-air museum "Ausekļu dzirnavas"

Only 2 km away form Bārbele village center, nearby the Iecava river shores, a traditional Latvian homestead “Ausekļu dzirnavas” is located. Visitors are welcome to explore antique tool collections (household, machinery, metalworking), thematic expositions, take a rest in picnic places and playgrounds.
After the grand reconstruction, from 2011, the building of the watermill is now open daily, also Lazdu windmill (ANNO 1926) has been reconstructed and now can be seen to everyone who walks by.
In 2013 museum got assigned a cultural heritage sign “Latvian heritage” – the sign is a status of place, on maintaining Latvian traditions in a modern tourism offer.
There are two traditional events which take place in the open-air museum: Sowing feast in the spring, where everyone can take a part in planting potatoes, sowing corn and other crops, take a part in different acitvities with antique techniques; Harvest feast in the autumn, where everyone can take a part in harvesting, or buy some local craftsman products in the market.
In the territory of the museum camping and picnic places, in the reconstructed building of the watermill - a banquet hall with accommodation places, but for an excellent relaxation – a bath house up to 15 persons are available.

Offer

• Antique machinery and tool collection – exposition
• Banquet hall (up to 65 pers), accommodation places (up to 44 pers.) in the watermill and in bath house
• Bath house (up to 15 pers.)
• Tea house (up to 45 pers.)
• Fire place, camping place, playground for kids
• Pancake, pie or rye bread tastings (only by prior arrangement!)
• Pie or rye bread baking – workshop from 6 to 12 pers.
• Guided tour: antique machinery and tool collection, exposition with demonstrations
• Program for newlyweds and wedding guests

Tradicional events and offers

• “Sowing feast” in the second Saturday of May
• “Harvest feast” in the first Saturday of September