The area now comprising the city of Jūrmala was formerly part of Riga, known as Rīgas Jūrmala. Some parts of the area, like Sloka and Ķemeri, have been known as health resorts for centuries. Jūrmala was once known in German as Riga-Strand, or “Beach of Riga”.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Jurmala started to develop as a resort destination. The peak of the Jūrmala area development was the opening of the Riga – Tukums railway in 1877 (which still passes through Jūrmala) that gave a great boost to the numbers of visitors, and thus a boost to the development of the town as a resort. Jūrmala also gained a reputation as a health spa town. The sea breeze, pine aroma, mineral springs, and sandy beach encouraged many sanatoriums to develop within the city.
If you are interested in history and development of Jurmala city, you are welcome to visit several museums and monuments of architecture.
Find more about Jurmala History.
