Jelgava

Jelgava is a city in Latvia, situated in the Zemgale region on the Lielupe River, about 40 kilometers southwest of Riga. It is the administrative center of Jelgava Municipality and one of the oldest urban settlements in the country.

Jelgava was first mentioned in 1265, when a fortress built by the Livonian Order stood on the site. During the era of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, the town—known in German as Mitau—served as the duchy’s capital and seat of the dukes. The Jelgava Palace, an 18th‑century Baroque residence built for the dukes, is a major landmark. The town developed around the palace and its administration. After the duchy ceased to exist in 1795, Jelgava remained an important regional center. The city sustained damage during World War II and was largely rebuilt in the postwar period.

Today Jelgava retains a historic center with notable buildings, including the Jelgava Palace and several churches. It hosts cultural venues and museums and functions as an educational hub, home to the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU) on its campus. The city also features parks and riverfront areas along the Lielupe.

Jelgava is connected by road and rail to Riga and other cities, with the Riga–Jelgava railway line as a major link. The local economy has traditional ties to agriculture and industry, and LLU and related research institutions contribute to science, education, and regional development.