In fact, events have been ongoing since July 29, but they reach a climax this weekend on August 5 and 6 with a Hanseatic-themed market (Limbaži was a member of the Hanseatic League), numerous concerts at different locations around the city, workshops, a 3x3 basketball tournament and even a chance to learn how to make the perfect fish soup with fish from Lielezers lake.
Full details are available at the municipal website and in a special festival newspaper from the tourist information point in the town center.
Even if you can't make it in person, you can do so virtually with a bird's eye view of Limbaži here.
Though its history dates back even further (as you can discover at the excellent town museum), the 800th anniversary marks the founding of the town of Lemsahl in the early 13th century around a castle constructed by crusading knights.
Despite its relatively small size – the current population is justunder 7,000 – it has played an important part in Latvian and Baltic history, and for many years in medieval times was the place where barons from all over Livonia (most of present-day Latvia and Estonia) would convene each year for a grand council.
Today it's well known for its excellent dairy and bakery products, among other things.
Happy birthday, Limbaži!
