population: 0.04 million

extension: 12.01 square kilometers

Museums

If you're in Madona and want to visit museums, I would suggest visiting the Madona Regional History Museum and the Madona Art Museum. Both museums showcase local art and history and are located in the city center.

If you're interested in exploring other museums nearby, you may also want to check out the Latgale Culture and History Museum in Rēzekne or the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum in Riga.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular and typical dishes to eat in Madona (Latvia) according to local people are:

1. Piragi - a traditional Latvian pastry filled with bacon and onion.

2. Sklandrausis - a sweet pastry made from rye flour and filled with a mixture of carrots, potatoes, and sweetened with honey.

3. Grey peas with bacon - a savory dish consisting of grey peas cooked with onions and served with fried bacon.

4. Cold soup (a.k.a. "Aukstā zupa") - a refreshing summer soup made from buttermilk, beets, cucumbers, dill, hard-boiled eggs, and potatoes.

5. Latvian black bread - a dense, dark rye bread that is a staple of the Latvian diet.

6. Smoked fish - Latvia is famous for its smoked fish, particularly salmon and trout.

7. Rupjmaizes kartojums - a dessert made from layers of sweetened rye bread and whipped cream.

These dishes can be found in many local restaurants and cafes in Madona.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people enjoy in Madona include:

1. Hiking: The area around Madona offers plenty of scenic hiking trails, including the popular Ozolkalns Trail and Šņepka Nature Trail.

2. Visiting local markets: Madona has a weekly farmers' market where you can find fresh produce, handmade crafts, and other local goods.

3. Swimming and sunbathing: During the summer months, locals enjoy swimming in the nearby Lake Lubāns and sunbathing on its beaches.

4. Ice-skating: In the winter, locals enjoy ice-skating on the frozen lakes and ponds in the surrounding countryside.

5. Attending cultural events: Madona hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals, theater performances, and art exhibitions.