Gulbene (the German name – Schwanenburg) is situated in the NE of Latvia, between Vidzeme and Aluksne highlands, on the hillock wall of Gulbene within 186 km from Riga by motorway, and 210.6 km – by railway. Its area is 12.2 km, and population about 10,000.
In historical documents first mentioned in 1224 in the land division act between the Order of the Brothers of Swords and the Bishop of Riga. In the XIV century the Archbishop of Riga built a stone wall castle around which a populated area was formed. The owners of Vecgulbene estate kept changing, until finally in 1802 it came into the hands of the Baron Wolf family and remained its property until 1920. After the construction of Stukmani - Valka narrow-gauge railway in 1903 and broad-gauge line construction during World War I, Vecgulbene established itself as an important railway junction, and in 1920 it was given the rights of a small village. In 1928 Vecgulbene acquired the rights of a city and the old name Gulbene. During the first independence of Latvia, beside those employed by the railways, small entrepreneurs, traders and craftsmen were economically most active in the city. After World War II, during Soviet occupation, Gulbene initially was a district, but later, since 1950 – a regional centre. In the 60-ies and 70-ies branches of several major industrial companies were established in the city.
Local enterprises were mainly involved in wood processing. In line with the development plans of the city Gulbene is being built as an environment friendly territory.

The most architecturally significant building at the junction is the passenger building at Gulbene railway station, built in 1926 to the design of the well-known professor of architecture Peteris Feders (1868 - 1936). It is one of the largest and most magnificent railway station buildings in Latvia, of which the inhabitants of Gulbene are still proud today.

Evangelistic Lutheran church of Gulbene (Brivibas St. 13) was built on the ancient Latgalian castle mound in place of the later Middle Age brick castle from 1838 - 1843. The church is built in the forms of the Classicism. In 1944 it lost the tower. The magnificent altar carved in oak, as well as the pulpit and the console deserve a special attention in the interior design. A monument to Martin Luther was erected near the church in honour of his 400th birthday in 1883.

Monument of the members of Gulbenes parish fallen in the struggle for freedom of Latvia has been erected on Brivibas street in front of the Lutheran Church. It was opened in 1929. During the years of Soviet occupation the monument was destroyed. Restored in 1992.

Vecgulbene estate complex was built in the middle and second half of the 19th century. The most significant buildings are the White Palace (Brivibas St. 12), the Red Palace (Parka St. 1) and the magazine granary (Brivibas St. 9). Both palaces have been destroyed and reconstructed several times. Since 1924 the elementary school of the city occupies the Red Palace.

Estate Forester's house (Ozolu St. 4) was built in the second half of the 19th century as a horizontal beam structure and is the oldest wooden house in the city.

Old city cemetery (Miera St.) was started in early 19th century. Next to the cemetery there is a chapel built in 1925.

House of saving and loans bank (Rigas St. 65) was built in 1927 by design of architect A. Maidelis. Gulbene Department of Latvian Savings Bank is located there.

Cemetery of soldiers fallen in World War II (in Sparite park behind the secondary school) was established in 1968 according to the project of architect G. Barkans. There is a monument built by sculptors G. Grundberga and J. Zandberga erected in the cemetery.

The building of the state commercial and vocational school of Gulbene (Skolas St. 10) was built in 1927 by design of architect I. Blankenburgs. Currently Gulbene high school occupies the building.

The new Catholic church in Gulbene (Gaitnieku St. 14).