Vēna National Park

Vēna National Park (Couronian: Vēnas Valstinis Park; Latgalian: Vienas Nacilinis Parkas) in Selonia and Central Aestia is one of the most visited of 8 national parks of Aestia, with an area of 561.13 km² running from Jānjelgaua to Jakobštate along the valley of the Vēna river, from which the park takes it's name.

Garden of Hope
Main article: Garden of Hope

On December 11, 1957 the parliament of Courland decided to erect a garden to those who were lost to Aestia in World War II. The Garden of Hope Fund was founded on January 16, 1958. One of the main supporters of the project were the Riga Aestian Society. A contest was issued on March 6, 1958 between the municipalities as to where the garden would be located. On November 17 of the same year the winner was announced — Biķernieku municipality, Kreis Jānjelgaua, Selonia opposite to the village of Koknese and not far from Liepavots Song Festival Grounds where the Aestian Song Festival occured between 1925 and 1940. An ensuing contest for the designs of the park was issued on April 9, 1959. It attracted over 500 projects. The winning project was announced on January 15, 1960 — it was Natalie Klementyeva's project "Cerību cīruļputenis" after which the garden was named. The foundation stone of the park was laid in April 12, 1960. The construction was funded by public donations. It was finally opened to the public on June 2, 1973 with a grand event with performers from different countries. It quickly gained international reputation and became one of the most visited places of Aestia.

After the unification of Courland and Latgalia on October 2, 1990 the new government of Aestia decided to expand the park to the Latgalian side, too. On April 27, 1993 the construction of the pedestrian bridge that would unify both higher parts of the park began. It was opened on December 25 of that same year. The Latgalian part of the garden was announced to be Japanese garden themed but for a long time nothing went forward. Finally on October 2, 1997 the contest was issued. It was only June 29, 1999 when the winner was announced. The construction began on August 1, 1999 and was partially funded by the state. The Latgalian side carried off many delays due to the incorporation of both sides into one another but was finally opened to the general public on October 2, 2013.