Dobele


Dobele is a town and seat of Dobele Municipality in the Semigallia region of Latvia. It is located near the center of Latvia on the banks of the river Bērze. It received town rights in 1917 whilst being a part of the German occupied Courland Governorate during the First World War. As of 2020, the population was 8,856.

Name origin

In a German document from 1254 a place name Dubelene or Dubelone has been used. Later the names Doblene, Doblenen and Doblen also have been used for this inhabited location. The original place name can be reconstructed as Dobelene or Dobeliene, but its origins are linked to the place name duobe and duobele. Most likely, the reconstructed place name Dobelene meant 'populated area in a dimple'.

History

Dobele is first mentioned in historical sources in 1254; however, at that time it was only a wooden fortress which was destroyed during the Semigallian War of Independence, the final phase of the Northern Crusades in Latvia. On its spot, a new stone castle was erected in 1335 and a small settlement grew up around it. The ruins of this fortress are still visible and are in the process of being restored. The original church was constructed in 1495, and eventually, the fortress developed into a trading post. In the 17th century, a watermill, sawmill, a cardigan mill, and a vinegar-works were constructed during the reign of duke Jacob Kettler. In 1927, the Jelgava–Liepāja Railway connected the city to other important towns and a period of development resulted.

Industry

Dobele is the home of many large enterprises, such as the AS Dobeles dzirnavnieks mill, the Seal/''Spodrība chemical plant, the Baltic Candles candle factory, steel structure and component maker SIA East Metal. The headquarters of the country-wide fuel station network '' and the construction material manufacturer Tenax Grupa are also located within the town.

Schools

The town of Dobele has a Cultural Centre as well as a museum. The town is also the location of 8 nationally protected monuments, such as the old castle, church, and town hall.
There are several annual festivals and holidays celebrated including the Ielīgosim Jāņus, the Midsummer celebration, and the jubileja, or festival, which changes yearly.

Climate

Dobele has a humid continental climate.

Demographics

ns make up 75.5% of the population while Russians, at 14%, are a significant minority. Other groups include Belarusians - 3.3%, Lithuanians - 2.3%, Ukrainians -1.8%, Poles - 1.5%, and 1.6% are of other nationalities.

Notable people

  • Oskars Bārs, architect
  • Gunārs Saliņš, modernist poet
  • Alexei Kudrin, politician, economist
  • Linda Mūrniece, politician, journalist
  • Uldis Augulis, politician
  • Viktors Ščerbatihs, weightlifter, Olympic silver-medalist
  • Andris Naudužs, racing cyclist
  • Gatis Eglītis, politician
  • Lauris Reiniks, musician
  • Andrejs Šeļakovs, basketball player
  • Māris Bogdanovičs, cyclist
  • Emīls Liepiņš, cyclist
  • Ritvars Suharevs, weightlifter
  • Kristers Tobers, football player
  • Daniela Ivanova, weightlifter