Aizkraukle

Aizkraukle
Town
Flag Coat of arms
Aizkraukle Location in Latvia
Coordinates: 56°36′15″N25°15′14″E / 56.60417°N 25.25389°E / 56.60417; 25.25389
Country	Latvia
Municipality	Aizkraukle Municipality
Town rights	1967
Area [1]
• Total	12.93 km2 (4.99 sq mi)
• Land	8.04 km2 (3.10 sq mi)
• Water	4.89 km2 (1.89 sq mi)
Population  (2025) [2]
• Total	6,689
• Density	832/km2 (2,150/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	LV-510(1-3)
Calling code	+371 651
Website	www.aizkraukle.lv

Aizkraukle (German : Ascheraden) is a town ^[3] in Aizkraukle Municipality, of which it is the administrative centre. Most of Aizkraukle is situated on the right bank of the Daugava River. As defined by Latvian law, Aizkraukle belongs partially to Vidzeme and partially to Selonia. ^[4] The population in 2020 was at 7,018. ^[5]

History

In the second half of the 14th century, the Livonian Order built the Aizkraukle Castle, a few kilometres downstream from the ancient hillfort of Livs. The ruins of the castle still remain today. Before World War I, the settlement that stood near the site of modern-day Aizkraukle was known by its German name of Ascheraden.

The modern town was established in 1961 as a settlement to house the builders of the nearby hydroelectric power plant of Pļaviņas. ^[6] It was originally called Stučka ^[7] (or "Стучка", Stuchka ^[8] and "имени Петра Стучки", imeni Petra Stuchki ^[6] in Russian), for Pēteris Stučka, a Latvian communist. ^[6] Town status was granted to it in 1967, ^{[6] [7]} which is also when it became the administrative center of Stučkas district.^{[ citation needed ]} In 1990, it was renamed as Aizkraukle, after the nearest railway station. ^[6] The name literally means "beyond the Kraukle River." ^[6]

Economy

General industries in the area include power generation, woodworking, printing, and agriculture.

In 2004, Aizkraukle was awarded "The tidiest town in Latvia 2004" in its size group.

• 
  Aizkraukle Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church
• 
  Soviet-era supermarket
• 
  Aizkraukle Society house
• 
  Railway station
• 
  Lutheran church of Christ Power in Aizkraukle

Notable people

• Aigars Apinis (born 1973), athlete
• Ivars Deinis (born 1977), luger
• Laura Igaune (born 1988), athlete
• Kristers Gudļevskis (born 1992), ice hockey player
• Elvis Stuglis (born 1993), footballer
• Ingars Stuglis (born 1996), footballer

See also

• Aizkraukle Station

Citations and references

1. "Reģionu, novadu, pilsētu un pagastu kopējā un sauszemes platība gada sākumā". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
2. "Iedzīvotāju skaits pēc tautības reģionos, pilsētās, novados, pagastos, apkaimēs un blīvi apdzīvotās teritorijās gada sākumā (pēc administratīvi teritoriālās reformas 2021. gadā)". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
3. "Administratīvo teritoriju un apdzīvoto vietu likums". Archived from the original on 2020-08-18.
4. Latviešu vēsturisko zemju likums
5. "ISG020. Population number and its change by statistical region, city, town, 21 development centres and county". Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. 2020-01-01. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
6. Pospelov, p. 24
7. Latvijas PSR Administratīvi Teritoriālais Iedalījums, p. 47
8. Latvijas PSR Administratīvi Teritoriālais Iedalījums, p. 118

Cited sources

• Е. М. Поспелов (Ye. M. Pospelov). "Имена городов: вчера и сегодня (1917–1992). Топонимический словарь." City Names: Yesterday and Today (1917–1992). Toponymic Dictionary." Москва, "Русские словари", 1993.
• Latvijas PSR Augstakās Padomes Prezidija Padomju Darba Jautājumu Daļa. Latvijas PSR Administratīvi Teritoriālais Iedalījums. 1978. gads. Izdevnieciba "Liesma", Riga 1978.