Thus, Carnikava, with its 5,305 declared residents as of April this year, will join the already existing 81 cities in the republic, ranking 38th in population, and significantly surpassing such towns with fewer than 1,000 residents as Ainazi, Akniste, Ape, Durbe, Pavilosta, Piltene, Staicele, and Subate. Nevertheless, the young city will continue to be part of the Adazi municipality – the Carnikava municipality was dissolved in 2021. ## The Hosts of the Local Area There is indeed a certain genius loci here, or as they say, a vibe – you arrive and immediately feel it. Perhaps the reason for this is the confluence of the longest river flowing within Latvia, the Gauja, and the Gulf of Riga. It is thanks to this that fish have been spawning here for millennia, and it is here that the ancient Livs established their settlement. Even in 1211, the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia highlighted the location of the indigenous army of future Livonia! The local inhabitants poetically named this area – Sarnikau – the ash valley. After the Union of Vilnius, in 1566, the King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Sigismund II Augustus, by special decree, granted Sarnikau to the chief canon of the Riga Cathedral – Johann von Münster. In 1626, the estate, by order of the Swedish ruler Gustav II Adolf, became the unrestricted property of the nobleman Dietrichson. Then there was a series of Baltic barons, among whom Christian Heinrich Pander (1794-1865), a paleontologist and geologist, remained in history, whom Charles Darwin himself referred to as his predecessor! ## Power Changes – Fish Remains In 1875, a fish factory owned by Alvin Kirsh began operating in the estate, which in 1880 organized the first fish hatchery in Latvia. During the Soviet era, Carnikava was a fishing collective farm in the Riga district. There was a fish factory, mechanical workshops, a woodworking shop, and horticulture developed. Since 1969, a small-tonnage shipbuilding workshop operated here, where, under the guidance of the famous yacht designer Aldis Eglays, fishing vessels and unique sailing catamarans were built. Now the industrial zone has been converted into residential buildings. Strolling through these airy places is wonderful; the new city has convenient rail and road connections with Riga, and recently a spacious parking lot has been equipped in the coastal park, from which the dunes are literally within walking distance. Along the way, you can stop at several cozy restaurants to taste fish soup. For 7 euros! By the way, local prices do not indicate a crisis at all; on the contrary. For example, regarding real estate: a one-bedroom apartment in a panel-brick building of Soviet design in the center of Carnikava costs 60,000 euros; a two-bedroom apartment in a new building near the Gauja costs 210,000 euros. A two-story summer house is rented out for weekends at 120 euros per day. ## Why a Second City in the Region? The existence of Carnikava, in addition to the regional center Adazi, will help the Adazi municipality attract tourists – at least, this is what follows from the long-term development strategy for this territory until 2037. It is anticipated that the new coastal center will develop the corresponding infrastructure. The document of the Saeima notes that, meeting the requirements for city status (at least 5,000 residents), Carnikava already has all the characteristic urban features, from a range of services to economic activity. Meanwhile, it is precisely the environment bordering nature that attracts wealthy Latvians here – just look at the mansions being built near the old Gauja river… Almost half a century ago, a large secondary school appeared in the settlement – the newspaper "Soviet Youth" wrote about the Komsomol construction; and recently, with EU funds, it was completely renovated. Now the building is clad in wooden panels – it does not draft in winter and does not overheat in summer. On hot days, the windows are covered with external blinds. Here, too, there is cultural activity for all Carnikava residents – a library, concerts, plus an excellent stadium.  _The former collective farm workshop has become a home._ ## Learning is Always Useful By the way, the origins of education in Sarnikau date back 240 years – a parish school was established in 1786, and a volost school in 1867. The lessons took place, by the way, in a beautiful palace in the Italian style, designed by architect Christoph Haberland – unfortunately, it was burned down during World War I and was never restored. After World War II, a Brotherhood cemetery for Red Army soldiers appeared here. Now there is a beautiful, well-maintained park all around. And a majestic capital rises, the only remnant of the baronial estate. …Of course, the transition to city status brings necessary burdens – thus, the LLC Latvijas Valsts ceļi immediately demanded to transfer the sections of state highways passing through the territory of Carnikava to municipal ownership. It has been calculated that land management and design work may cost 40,000 euros. ## The Potential for Historical Tourism In the coastal dunes, near the bay, a substantial concrete bunker peeks out from behind the pines. Built by the Latvian army sappers in 1938, it served as protection against enemy landings. One could say it was successful – no one ever invaded Carnikava from the sea.  _“General Balodis’ Line” by the shore._ Unfortunately, this fortification is now in disrepair, and it would take only a small investment to create, for example, a branch of the local history museum here, with a touch of patriotic nostalgia. Perhaps to host zemessargi, for instance. Moreover, remnants of trenches can be seen all around. A whole fortified area! In general, what is happening now with Carnikava is just the first stage of its elevation; in the near future, the matter will move towards restoring the status of a municipality. The population has already equaled that of the city of Saulkrasti, which has the status of a regional center. So Carnikava deserves the most promising prospects. Especially since it has impressive lobbyists – after all, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mierina, previously headed the regional municipality…  _These are the palaces that have been built here._  _Restaurants by the water are popular._