View source for Talsi

{{Short description|Town in Talsi Municipality, Latvia}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Talsi
| other_name         = {{langx|liv|Tālsa}}
| settlement_type    = Town
| image_shield       = Coat_of_Arms_of_Talsi.svg
| image_flag         = Flag_of_Talsi.svg
| flag_size          = 
| image_skyline      = Talsi panorama.jpg
| image_caption      = Talsi
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{LVA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Districts of Latvia|District]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Talsi Municipality]]
| established_title  = [[Town rights]]
| established_date   = 1917
| pushpin_map        = Latvia
| pushpin_label_position = above
| pushpin_mapsize    = 300
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Latvia
| coordinates        = {{Coord|57|14|40|N|22|35|12|E|region:LV_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| nickname           = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Andis Āboliņš]]
| blank_name_sec1    = Number of city council members
| blank_info_sec1    = 19
| area_total_km2     = {{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}
| area_footnotes     = {{wikidata|reference|best||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}
| area_water_km2     = {{#expr:{{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q16868672}}-{{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q11081619}}}}
| area_land_km2      = {{#invoke:wd|properties|raw|qualifiers|best|raw||P2046|P518=Q11081619}}
| area_metro_km2     = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_total   = {{wikidata|property|qualifier|best||P1082}}
| population_footnotes = {{wikidata|references|best||P1082}}
| population_as_of   = {{#invoke:WikidataIB|formatDate|{{wikidata|qualifier|best|raw||P1082|P585}}|df=y}}
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code        = LV-320(1–3)
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbering plan|Calling code]]
| area_code          = +371 632
| timezone1          = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| timezone1_DST      = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +3
| website            = http://www.talsunovads.lv/
}}

'''Talsi''' ({{audio|Lv-Talsi.ogg|pronunciation}}; {{langx|liv|Tālsa}}, {{langx|de|Talsen}}) (population 11,371) is a [[town]] in the [[Courland]] region of [[Latvia]]. It is the administrative centre of [[Talsi Municipality]]. It is nicknamed the "green pearl of [[Courland]]".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.talsi.lv/novads-eng | title=About Talsi region | publisher=Talsu Novads | access-date=17 November 2016 | archive-date=17 November 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117211620/http://www.talsi.lv/novads-eng | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Etymology==
It is believed that the name is derived from an old [[Livonian language|Livonian]] word, ''talusse'', meaning "secluded place".<ref name=Pilskalns>{{cite web|url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/hill-pilskalns/|title= Talsi Hillfort|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161105161037/http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/hill-pilskalns/|archive-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref>

==History==

===Early history===
A [[hill fort]] has existed in Talsi at least since the 10th century, originally inhabited by [[Curonians]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Talsi Hillfort and Lake Vilkmuiža |url=https://www.baltukelias.lt/en/sightseeing-places/talsi-hillfort-and-lake-vilkmuiza/ |website=Baltukelias.lt |access-date=5 June 2022}}</ref> The settlement of Talsi is mentioned in written sources for the first time in 1231 during the [[Middle Ages]], in a contract between the elders of a Curonian tribe and the papal envoy [[Baldwin von Alna]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Talsi Hillfort |url=https://visittalsi.com/en/where-to-go/talsi-en/9-hillocks/talsu-pilskalns/ |website=VisitTalsi.com |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=5 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Talsi |url=https://visittalsi.com/en/ko-redzet/talsi-en |website=VisitTalsi.com |access-date=5 June 2022}}</ref> During the [[Northern Crusades]], the settlement came under German over-lordship and a [[castle]] was built in Talsi during the late 13th century. The settlement grew in the 15th century, when traders and artisans from German-speaking lands settled in Talsi. The presently visible main church of the town was inaugurated in 1567; pastor {{Interlanguage link|Carl Amenda|de}}, a close friend of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], worked in the church for many years. During the reign of [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia|Duke]] [[Jacob Kettler]], an iron [[smelting]] furnace was constructed in Talsi, an early industrial development. The town has suffered from the [[Plague (disease)|plague]] twice (1657 and 1710) and was devastated by a large fire in 1733. The town became part of the [[Russian Empire]] in 1795 together with the rest of [[Courland]]. At that time, [[Baltic Germans]] constituted about sixty percent of the population.<ref name=pinkas>{{cite web |url= http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/pinkas_latvia/lat_00130.html|title= "Talsi" – Encyclopedia of Jewish Communities in Latvia and Estonia (Latvia)|last1= Levin|first1= Dov|publisher= [[Yad Vashem]]|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> At the end of the 18th century, [[Jews]] were allowed to settle in Talsi for the first time. Most of the Jews who settled in Talsi originally came from [[History of the Jews in Lithuania|Lithuania]] and would with time come to form a substantial part of the town population. Eventually a [[synagogue]] was built in Talsi.<ref name=pinkas/><ref name=historytalsi>{{cite web|url= http://www.talsi.lv/talsi-city-eng|title= Town of Talsi|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|publisher= Talsi Municipality|access-date= 3 November 2016|archive-date= 14 April 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160414112845/http://www.talsi.lv/talsi-city-eng|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=Talsitourism>{{cite web |url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/talsi/|title= Talsi|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref>

===19th century and World War I===
An elementary school opened in 1863 and a private school in 1873 (the latter was for many years the workplace of [[linguist]] [[Kārlis Mīlenbahs]]); both schools initially taught only in German. In 1887 a Russian-language school was also opened in Talsi. During the [[1905 Russian Revolution|Revolution of 1905]], there was unrest in the town and several houses burned down and inhabitants killed. During [[World War I]] the town suffered heavily and its population decreased from around 5,000 to about 1,100. The entire Jewish population was expelled by Russian military authorities (but some would later return). Peace was not entirely restored until 1920, with the end of the [[Latvian War of Independence]] which made Talsi part of the newly proclaimed Latvian republic.<ref name=pinkas/><ref name=historytalsi/>

===In independent Latvia and during the 20th century===
The town grew rapidly again and in 1935 had 4116 inhabitants (82% ethnic Latvians, 12% Jews and 3% Germans). The town was under [[Nazi Germany|German]] occupation from 3 July 1941 right up until the end of [[World War II]] on 9 May 1945.<ref>[https://www.soldat.ru/spravka/freedom/1-ssr-6.html Освобождение городов]</ref> The occupying German army used one of the buildings in Talsi as a place where they [[torture]]d prisoners; during the Soviet times a [[bas-relief]] was put up in commemoration of the victims on the wall of the house. During the Nazi occupation the town's entire Jewish population was murdered. The Germans were aided by ethnic Latvian collaborators. A single Jewish woman was hidden by a local farmer but discovered in 1944 and killed.<ref name=pinkas/><ref name=historytalsi/>

The 1950s and 60s were a time of relative prosperity. The town had a forceful leader in Kārlis Grīnbergs, chairman of Talsi Executive Committee (as the town now was part of the [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic]] under [[Occupation of the Baltic states|Soviet occupation]]). A metalworking plant was opened in 1965 that would attract many jobs to the town. Following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] and the re-establishment of Latvia's independence, one of the main monuments of the town, a sculpture called ''Koklētājs'' and dedicated to the Latvian freedom fighters could finally be inaugurated. It was begun during the 1930s but could not be finished until after the fall of the Soviet Union.<ref name=historytalsi/>

==Geography==
Talsi is characterised by its location by nine hills and two lakes. The hills are called ''Pilskalns'', ''Ķēniņkalns'', ''Leču kalns'', ''Tiguļu kalns'', ''Sauleskalns'', ''Baznīckalns'', ''Krievragkalns'', ''Vilkmuižas kalns'' and ''Dzirnavkalns''.<ref name=historytalsi/> ''Pilskalns'', meaning "castle hill" is the location of the old hill fort. The hill is {{convert|32|m|ft}} high and lies at the centre of the town. An archaeological excavation of the hill fort was carried out here in 1936 – 1938.<ref name=Pilskalns/> The highest hill in Talsi is ''Tiguļu kalns''. This hill has an [[arboretum]] and is the location of [[Talsi Regional Museum]], housed in a [[manor house]] originally built for a [[Baltic nobility|local aristocrat]], Baron von Firck.<ref name="Tiguļu">{{cite web |url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/tigulu-kalns-tigulu-hill/|title= Tiguļu kalns (Tiguļu hill)|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> On''Leču kalns'' there is a memorial sculpture in remembrance of the Revolution of 1905, when six revolutionaries where killed here.<ref name=Lecu>{{cite web |url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/lecu-kalns-lecu-hill/|title= Leču kalns (Leču hill)|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> Talsi lake, in the middle of the town, is surrounded by a promenade and there is a fountain installed in the lake.<ref name=lake>{{cite web |url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/the-talsi-lake-promenade/|title= The Talsi Lake promenade|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Talsi dienā.jpg|thumb|800px|center|alt=View of Talsi town centre|View of Talsi's town centre]]

==Culture and religion==
[[File:Firksa pils Talsos 2000-10-28.jpg|thumb|right|Talsi Regional Museum]]
As mentioned above, the town hosts a regional museum in the former manor house of Baron von Firck. There is also a cultural centre with a "creative yard" in the middle of the town.<ref name=culturalcentre>{{cite web |url= http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/talsi-cultural-and-creative-yard/|title= Talsi Cultural and Creative Yard|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> The town also has two libraries of which one is a children's library.<ref name=historytalsi/> There are churches of the Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist and Seventh-Day Adventist Christian faiths in Talsi. The former synagogue is today a private house.<ref name=pinkas/><ref name=historytalsi/> The Lutheran church, built in 1567 but reconstructed several times, is the oldest stone building in Talsi.<ref name=church>{{cite web |url=http://www.talsitourism.lv/en/where-to-go/talsi/baznickalns-church-hill/|title= Baznīckalns (Church hill)|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Tourist Information|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref>

==Sport==
Talsi has a municipal school of sport, and hosts an annual [[Rallying|rally]] competition. In addition, there are numerous sports facilities in the town, e.g. skating, [[ice hockey]] and [[association football]].<ref name=historytalsi/> The town is home to [[Latvian Floorball League|Latvian Elvi Floorball League]] club [[Talsi (floorball club)|FK Talsi (also Talsu NSS/Krauzers)]], [[Latvian Third League|Latvian Third League Western Zone]] club [[FC Talsi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=FC Talsi - Latvijas Futbola federācija |url=https://lff.lv/klubi/fc-talsi-35975/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=lff.lv}}</ref> and Latvian Regional League Championship member, volleyball club [[SK Talsi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SK Talsi - Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/SKTalsi}}</ref>

==Transportation and infrastructure==
Talsi is connected to [[Riga]] via bus. A journey from Riga to Talsi takes approximately two hours.<ref name=meeting>{{cite web |url=http://eng.meeting.lv/regions/tukums.php|title= Tukums, Talsi, Saldus|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Meeting.lv|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> An [[airfield]] was built around {{convert|1|km|mile}} outside Talsi during Soviet times. It is used for small planes and occasionally for events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://myairfields.com/?p=320|title = MyAirfields}}</ref><ref name=airfield>{{cite web |url=https://www.forgottenairfields.com/airfield-talsi-660.html|title= Talsi airfield|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Forgotten airfields|access-date= 14 December 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*Karl Friedrich Amenda (1777–1836), composer, close friend of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]
*[[Sara Braun]] (1862–1955), [[Chile|Chilean]] businesswoman
*[[Arved von Schultz]] (1883–1967), geographer
*[[Frédéric Fiebig]] (1885–1953), painter
*Israel Medalyer (1889-1950), grandfather of [[Robert Rinder]]
*[[Vera Zozulya]] (born 1956), luger
*[[Anita Liepiņa]] born 1967), athlete
*[[Uvis Helmanis]] (born 1972), basketball player
*[[Raimonds Tiguls]] (brons 1972), musician, composer
*[[Romāns Vainšteins]] (born 1973), cyclist
*[[Ilze Indriksone]] (born 1974), politician
*[[Intars Busulis]] (born 1978), singer
*[[Māris Ziediņš]] (born 1978), ice hockey player
*[[Krišjānis Zeļģis]] (born 1985), poet
*[[Artūrs Strēlnieks]] (born 1985), basketball player
*[[Markus Riva]] (born 1986), singer
*[[Jānis Strēlnieks]] (born 1989), basketball player
*[[Dzintars Čīča]] (born 1993), singer

==Events==
[[File:The yard of Talsi Culture Centre - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Talsi Culture Centre]]
A number of events are arranged annually in the town. The International Carl Ferdinand Amenda Music School Competition is a [[classical music]] competition arranged by the municipality and open for children aged 7–17 years.<ref name=music>{{cite web |url=http://www.talsi.lv/uploads/filedir/Info/2016/k_f_amendacontestinformation.pdf|title= Talsi County Municipality Invites Applications for the International Carl Ferdinand Amenda Music School Competition for Individual Performers and Ensembles of Stringed Instruments|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Talsi Municipality|access-date= 5 November 2016}}</ref> There is an annual "Talsi Celebration" every year in July, a market fair at the end of August and designated days of poetry and art. In addition, national holidays such as [[Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia|Independence Day]] (18 November) and [[Lāčplēsis Day]] are observed in the town.<ref name=historytalsi/>

==Twin towns — sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Latvia}}
Talsi is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Starptautiskā sadarbība|url=https://talsi.lv/pasvaldiba/starptautiska-sadarbiba/|website=talsi.lv|publisher=Talsi|language=lv|access-date=2019-08-31|archive-date=2020-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811072448/https://talsi.lv/pasvaldiba/starptautiska-sadarbiba/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Alanya]], Turkey
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Lejre Municipality|Lejre]], Denmark
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Orhei]], Moldova
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Prienai District Municipality|Prienai]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Saaremaa Municipality|Saaremaa]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Shchyolkovo]], Russia
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Söderköping Municipality|Söderköping]], Sweden
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Telavi]], Georgia
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

{{Talsi Municipality}}
{{Latvian regional cities}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Talsi| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Courland]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in Latvia]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1917]]
[[Category:Talsi county]]
[[Category:Holocaust locations in Latvia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Talsi Municipality]]