[3] Smiltene is located in the northern part of the Vidzeme Highland on the banks of the river Abuls (Abula).

After Crusaders had taken over most of the modern day Latvia, the area was part of the lands of the bishop of Riga.

The tradesmen and craftsmen village around it - Smiltestele - first is mentioned in historical documents in 1427, since 1523 it was called a town.

In the early stages of the Great Northern War Smiltene was burnt down by the Russian army.

In 1760 the Russian empress Catherine II gave Smiltene manor as a present to the Governor-General Georg von Braun (Yuri Broun).

After his suggestion and with his financial support a narrow gauge railway was built from Smiltene to Valmiera.