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{{Short description|Town in Latvia}}
{{For|the 1984 Danish film|Tukuma (film)}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Tukums
| other_name =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_shield =Coat_of_Arms_of_Tukums.svg
| shield_size =
| image_flag =Flag_of_Tukums.svg
| flag_size =
| image_skyline = Tukums, luteránský kostel.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Lutheran church in Tukums
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Latvia}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Districts of Latvia|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tukums Municipality]]
| established_title = [[Town rights]]
| established_date = 1795
| pushpin_map = Latvia
| pushpin_label_position = above
| pushpin_mapsize = 300
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Latvia
| coordinates = {{Coord|56|58|N|23|09|E|region:LV_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| nickname =
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| 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}}
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| population_metro =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| postal_code_type = [[Postal code]]
| postal_code = LV310(1–2); LV-3104
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbering plan|Calling code]]
| area_code = +371 631
| timezone1 = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset1 = +2
| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST = +3
| website = http://www.tukums.lv/
}}
'''Tukums''' ({{audio|Lv-Tukums.ogg|pronunciation}}; {{langx|de|Tuckum}}; {{langx|liv|Tukāmō}}) is a [[town]] in [[Latvia]] and serves as the administrative center of [[Tukums Municipality]]. It is located in the eastern part of the historical region of [[Courland]], and with more than 16,000 inhabitants Tukums is the [[List of cities and towns in Latvia|13th largest settlement]] in Latvia. It is also an important [[Rail transport|railroad]] junction, connecting the town with [[Riga]], [[Jelgava]] and [[Ventspils]]. It has two railway stations — [[Tukums I Station|Tukums I]] and [[Tukums II Station|Tukums II]].

== History ==
[[File:Tukuma pilsdrupas (Johans Kristofs Broce; 1792).jpg|thumb|left|Ruins of the Tukums Castle in 1792]]
[[File:Vaade Tukuma linnale kagust 1792 a.jpg|thumb|left|View of Tukums across Lake Dzirnavu in 1792]]
The historical center of Tukums developed between trade routes leading from the mouth of the [[Daugava River]] to [[Prussia]]. The oldest part is today's Talsi Street that originated at the river named Zvirgzdupite where there used to be a castle mound with a wooden castle.  From 1253 Tukums was ruled by the [[Livonian Order]].

A masonry castle was built on the bank of the [[Slocene]] river at the end of the 13th century. The castle was surrounded by settlements of [[Germans|German]] tradesmen and craftsmen. A marketplace was formed in front of the castle and some new streets appeared later running in various directions from the marketplace.

With the development of trade in the 16th century a new straighter trade route to Prussia was built along a new street that is called Liela (large) Street today which had an important role in the life of the settlement. As a result, public buildings, major businesses, workshops and small shops were built around the street making it the unofficial [[high street]] of the area.

After the disintegration of the Livonian Order a new state, the [[Duchy of Courland and Semigallia]] was established. Like many other settlements Tukums had suffered greatly the numerous feudal wars. Under the rule of [[Jacob Kettler|Duke Jacob]] (1642–1682) Tukums experienced a rapid economic boom.

[[File:Durbes pils 19.gs.jpg|thumb|left|[[Durbe Manor]] in the 19th century]]
At the time, a new trade route was built from Tukums to [[Jelgava]], the capital of Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. It was opened along today's Jelgavas Street and another route towards today's Raudas Street.

Inhabited by only 800 people at that time, the first [[dam]] was built and a lake made near the road to [[Jelgava]] which was followed by a [[flour mill]] and copper-making furnace which was then exported to foreign countries.

The new adornment of Tukums were the lake and the [[church spire]] which were added to the skyline in 1687.

After 1795, Courland was incorporated into the [[Russian Empire]]. In November of the same year the [[Catherine II of Russia|Russian Tsaritsa Katherine]] signed a document to divide Courland into regions and to grant regional center rights to several urban settlements, Tukums being one of them. The town borders were marked in 1800 and the first urban map was made two years later.

The town continued growing as it became home to 6 pubs and 131 private houses with around 690 male and 832 female inhabitants.

In 1806, the first school was opened while the street pavement was introduced in 1860. In 1875, street lighting were started with more rapid developments of the town being observed after the opening of the Riga-Tukums railway line in 1877. It is one of the lines connecting Tukums with neighboring town [[Ventspils]].

There were 24 known enterprises functioning in Tukums in 1897 including [[tanneries]], wood-[[carding]] mills, [[glue]] plants, [[pottery|potteries]], [[food production]] facilities and the two [[windmills]] which are thought to have brought out the uniqueness of the townscape. The town eventually grew along with the rapid growth and development of these industries.

The rich are known to have built their houses in the eastern part around Elizabetes, Pils and Baznicas Streets, but the workers settled more to the West, forming an area of small houses surrounded by gardens. These areas of Tukums were further developed during the year in 1935.

In the beginning of the 1930s, there were 8000 inhabitants and 73 functioning industrial enterprises in Tukums.

In 2019, the town becomes home to the second largest tire recycling plant in Latvia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Half of Latvia’s tires to be recycled in new plant in Tukums|url=http://www.themayor.eu/ro/half-of-latvias-tires-to-be-recycled-in-new-plant-in-tukums|website=www.themayor.eu|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref>

== Places near Tukums ==
[[File:Jaunpils.JPG|thumb|[[Jaunpils Castle]], located 31 kilometers from Tukums]]
[[File:Jaunmoku pils 1999-11-06 (2).jpg|thumb|[[Jaunmokas Manor]], located 10 kilometers from Tukums]]
The [[Engure parish]] by the city was host to the [[Soviet Navy]] [[Tukums air base]]. It was converted into a civilian airport.

[[Jaunpils Castle]] is the only fortified castle of the [[Order of Livonia]] that remains in Latvia. It was built in 1301. An exhibition hall and museum are located there on the history of the district. Jaunpils Lutheran Church which was built in 1592 is located near the castle.

[[Jaunmoka Castle|Jaunmoku Palace]] (1901), {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=on}} from Tukums, surrounded by the Courlands hills, hosts an exhibition on forestry. Jaunmoku Palace is a combination of [[Art Nouveau]] elements and [[Neo-Gothic]] forms and was built as the country residence of [[George Armitstead (mayor)|George Armitstead]], mayor of Riga (1901–12).

[[Durbe Manor|Durbe manor house]], ({{langx|lv|Durbes pils}}) rebuilt in 1820, is a classical style palace, surrounded by a landscaped park. A stone bridge across the ravine and a [[Rotunda (architecture)|rotunda]] are located near the manor house.

The Schlokenbeck estate ensemble in Milzkalne, dating from the 15th century, is the only fortified [[manor house]] in Latvia. A museum on the history of broad building techniques and an exposition of horse gear is set up there.

In Zante region there is the highest peak of Tukums district – Smiltinkalns (153m); in the center of Zante there is a Red Army tank, commemorating the battles in "[[Courland Pocket]]" from 1944 to 1945 inclusive.

The country of Zentene and Seme has the northern landscape of Courland – hills, curved roads, objects of nature and places of culture history.

The seashore of Tukums district has a length of {{convert|50|km|0|abbr=on}}, where old fishermen's huts alternate with modern villas, and sandy beaches interchange with rocky shores and meadows.

[[Kandava]] was the capital of the ancient Couronian state of Vanema. In the beginning of the 13th century, German knights built their castle there, though not much has been preserved from that time. In the Middle Ages, Kandava underwent numerous wars, fires and plague epidemics.

The Kandava hills are covered with dense forests and the [[Abava Rapids]] of the [[Abava River]]. Kandava marks the beginning of the run of the [[Abava Valley]], which is often locally referred to as "Switzerland of Courland" in as early as the 19th century. Since January 2011, the valley has been on Latvia's Tentative World Heritage List, according to World Monuments Fund.<ref name="mb.com.ph">{{cite web|url=https://www.wmf.org/project/abava-valley-cultural-landscape|title=Abava Valley has been on Latvia's Tentative World Heritage List, January 2011|website=WMF.org|access-date=April 8, 2020}}</ref>

== Places in Tukums ==

=== Museums ===
[[File:Durbe manor house.jpg|thumb|[[Durbe Manor]]]]
* Castle Tower of Tukums – Brivibas Square 19a
* Durbe Manor house – M.Parka Street 7
* Jaunmokas Palace Museum – Jaunmokas
* Jaunpils Museum – Jaunpils
* Pastariņš Museum – Bisnieki, Zentene
* [[Šlokenbeka Castle|Šlokenbeka Manor]] – Milzkalne
* Tukums Museum – Harmonijas Street 7

==Notable people==
[[File:Joe Magidsohn.jpg|thumb|right|170px|[[Joe Magidsohn]]]]
[[File:Dainis Kūla.jpg|thumb|right|170px|[[Dainis Kūla]]]]
*[[Ronalds Arājs]], Latvian athlete
*[[Kristaps Blanks]], [[football (soccer)|football]] [[Striker (association football)|striker]], [[Skonto FC]] and Latvia national football team player
*[[Ādolfs Bļodnieks]], [[Prime Minister of Latvia]] from 1933 – 1934
*[[Līga Kļaviņa]], Latvian heptathlete
*[[Žoržs Tikmers]], sports executive
*[[Viktor Tsoi]], [[Soviet Rock]] band [[Kino (band)|Kino]] leader died near Tukums.
*[[Dainis Kūla]], [[javelin throw]]er and [[1980 Summer Olympics|1980 Olympic]] champion
*[[Jevgēņijs Kosmačovs]], [[FK Ventspils]] and Latvia national football team midfielder
*[[Joe Magidsohn]], Latvian-born [[Americans|American]] football player
*[[Kaspars Ozers]], cyclist
*[[Janis Roze|Jānis Roze]], Latvian biologist and philosopher
*[[Otto August Rosenberger]], astronomer
*[[Samanta Tīna]], Latvian singer of [[Russian people|Russian]] descent
*[[Georgs Andrejevs]], politician
*[[Mārtiņš Staķis]], politician
*[[Artis Kampars]], politician
*[[Christopher Zarins]], Latvian-born surgeon, professor
*{{ill|Bertram Zarins|lv|Bertrams Zariņš}}, Latvian-born orthopedic surgeon at [[Massachusetts General Hospital]] and [[Harvard University]]
*[[Adolf Behrman]], Latvian painter
*[[Mordechai Nurock]], politician

==Twin towns — sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Latvia}}

Tukums is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Starptautiskā sadarbība|url=https://www.tukums.lv/lv/tukuma-novada-pasvaldiba-1/starptautiska-sadarbiba|website=tukums.lv|publisher=Tukums|language=lv|access-date=2019-08-31}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Andrychów]], Poland
*{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Bnei Ayish]], Israel
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Chennevières-sur-Marne]], France
*{{flagicon|UKR}} [[Izium]], Ukraine
*{{flagicon|BLR}} [[Karelichy]], Belarus
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast|Krasnogorsk]], Russia
*{{flagicon|LTU}} [[Plungė]], Lithuania
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Scheeßel]], Germany
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Tidaholm]], Sweden
{{div col end}}

== Newspapers ==
* ''[[Neatkarīgās Tukuma Ziņas]]''
* ''[[Tukuma Ziņotājs]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.tukums.lv/lv/tukuma-novads/par-novadu Tukums City Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090729084138/http://www.turisms.tukums.lv/index/vietas?lang=3 Tukums Tourist Information Center]
*[https://www.wmf.org/project/abava-valley-cultural-landscape World Monuments Fund]

{{Tukums Municipality}}
{{Latvian regional cities}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tukums| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Courland]]
[[Category:1795 establishments in the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Tukums county]]
[[Category:18th-century establishments in Latvia]]
[[Category:Populated places in Tukums Municipality]]