Liepaja is a city located in the south-west of Latvia, in the middle of the eastern coast of the B altic Sea. From the side of the mainland, the settlement is surrounded by Tosmar and Liepaja lakes. "City of musicians" - this is how people often refer to Liepaja. Latvia is a country with a developed culture and tourism, and it is in this region that a whole series of music festivals and other interesting events are held annually during the warm season. Liepaja is the third most populated city in the country, and also one of the unofficial tourist capitals of Latvia. Tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy a beach holiday and see local attractions.
Glorious history of a good city
In historical documents, the first mention of the settlement of Livs in this area occurs in 1253. The year 1418 became tragic in the history of the city: then Liepaja was burned out by the Lithuanian army, and according to the sources, none of the natives survived. Its new history of the settlementbegins in 1625. In those days, the city belonged to the possessions of the Duke of Courland Wilhelm. After the end of the Swedish-Polish war, trade rapidly developed, and at the end of the 17th century, the port of Liepal was built. At the same time, a canal was dug, and in the 19th century, the history of the city as an important center of international representations begins. This function is preserved today: today there are 13 embassies of various states here. During Soviet times, Liepaja (Latvia today) becomes a strategic military facility. There is a version that the local port was considered as one of the best bases for the preparation of military naval operations.
Beaches and natural attractions
City beach is the real pride of the city of Liepaja, it is considered the best on the entire B altic coast. The sand is very fine and golden, in some places the width of the coast reaches about 70 meters. Jūrmalas park is planted along the beach. This natural object begins its history from the middle of the 19th century. Today its total area is approximately 70 hectares. More than 140 species of shrubs and trees coexist peacefully here. One of the interesting modern sights is the giant drums installed in the Seaside Park, which remind you that the life of the city is inextricably linked with music. Many tours to Latvia include a day trip to this unique nature reserve. Don't forget to visit this place if you stay nearby.
Places for walking
Introducing newcity it is useful and pleasant to start with a sightseeing tour-walk through the historical center. The very heart of Liepaja is the Rose Square. Once there was a market here, but after its reorganization, the city government decided to equip the vacant territory with a recreation area and plant roses. In total, about 500 bushes were planted, the last time the reconstruction was carried out in 2000. Now the flower bed looks even more spectacular, and along its edges you can see the signs of sister cities of such a flourishing city as Liepaja. Latvia is a very clean country, where the preservation of historical monuments and the he alth of citizens are carefully taken care of. One of the most important places for residents and visitors is Tirgonu Street, which has an alternative name – Pedestrian Avenue. A variety of cafes, souvenir shops and photo workshops are open here. If you decide to have lunch or buy something, then do not forget that the official currency of Latvia today is no longer the local lats, but the euro. The highlight of this street is a complete ban on motor vehicles, it is a completely pedestrian zone, hence the popular name.
City Embankment - Promenade
Another place for walking and photo shoots is the city embankment, or the Promenade. During Soviet times, this zone was closed to civilians. Therefore, there are no interesting historical monuments and rich decor. Today, the Promenade is a public place that everyone can visit. In recent years, the city government has paid sufficient attention to the improvement of this area. Places for recreation have already been created, flower beds are broken in the summer. Herethere are cafes, souvenir shops, as well as a fish market where you can buy freshly caught fish at an affordable price.
The embankment is attractive due to the picturesque views. From here you can clearly see the sea, the port, ships and yachts, as well as a grandiose fountain. One of the main decorations of the Promenade is an amber watch. Rumor has it that it took about 50 liters of amber to create them. The history of the creation of this object is also interesting: in 2003, an action was held, in which the townspeople donated their amber to create a new city clock.
St Anne's Church
One of the most interesting architectural monuments in Liepaja is St. Anne's Church. The temple is considered one of the oldest in the city - the first mention of it dates back to 1508. The church is located on Kursu Square, next to the Petertirgus market. The building has been rebuilt several times, and its appearance has also changed. The interior decoration also deserves attention. In 1997, the main altar of the temple celebrated its tercentenary. This element of the church interior was created by Niklas Sefrens Jr., it is decorated with wood carvings and made in the Baroque style, characteristic of his period. The Church of St. Anne is the real pride of the city. Liepaja (Latvia) is rich in architectural monuments and religious buildings, and there is no other temple like this one in the whole country.
Interesting sights
If we talk about the cult religious sites of the city, we can not deprive the attention of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. According to legend, the first stone for its construction was indeed laid personally by Tsar Nicholas II. Of particular interest is the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity: it has preserved one of the largest mechanical organs in all of Europe to this day.
The city of Liepaja has a variety of sights, if you want new experiences, go on an excursion to a real prison. Karosta is a correctional institution located in the northern part of the city. At the end of the 19th century, the navy was located here, and the prison was used to maintain discipline among employees. Today, tourists are invited to take part in theatrical performances and personally walk around the gloomy corridors with torches in their hands and feel like a prisoner. Interesting places to visit: Zivyu street (there are many interesting architectural buildings) and the house of Peter the Great (Madame Hoyer's hotel) on Kungu street.
Liepaja: reviews of tourists
Latvia is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination for our compatriots. Many tourists do not leave the city of Liepaja without attention, because you can get here from Riga in just 3 hours by private car, taxi or intercity bus. Most of the reviews are positive, few people remain indifferent to the atmosphere that prevails in this country, and the harmonious combination of natural beauties and historical sights. Tours to Latvia are an excellent solution for those who want to have an inexpensive and interesting vacation. It is best to plan a trip in the summer, as many festivals and other events take place in the country during the official tourist season.social gatherings.
Useful tips for travelers
The city of Liepaja is rich not only in sights, but also in modern entertainment facilities. Try to plan in advance the routes of walks and excursions. If you didn’t have enough time for this, you can always take advantage of ready-made offers from local travel agencies or consult or ask the indigenous people where it is better to go. And finally, let us remind you once again that the official currency of Latvia is the euro. You can exchange money at a favorable rate at home on the eve of your trip. Do not be afraid that the necessary banknotes will run out. Liepaja is a modern city with enough ATMs and exchange points.
