Lielvrdes

Lielvārde is a town located in Bauska Municipality in the Latgale region of Latvia. It has a population of approximately 5243 people, as of the 2020 census. Lielvārde serves as the administrative center of Bauska Municipality, which has a population of over 35,000 people.

The town is situated at the confluence of the Dāumele and Burtnieki rivers, in the valley of the Daugava River plain. Historically, Lielvārde was an important center for trade and commerce, due to its favorable location for transporting goods along the Daugava River.

In the Middle Ages, the town was part of the Livonian Confederation, and during the 16th century, it belonged to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the 17th century, Lielvārde became part of the Swedish Empire and was subsequently ceded to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a result of the Treaty of Oliva.

Following the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, Lielvārde became a province of the Russian Empire. The town continued to grow and develop during the 19th century, with the establishment of a railway station and the expansion of the municipal administration.

During World War II, Lielvārde suffered significant losses, including the forced evacuation of the town's population and the destruction of its infrastructure. In the post-war period, the town continued to grow, with the establishment of new industries and cultural institutions. Today, Lielvārde is a thriving community that continues to play an important role in the region's economic, cultural, and social development.