Sightseeing in Liepaja - what to see. Complete travel guide

Liepaja is a famous port city that is located on south-east of the Latvian Republic. This is one of the largest cities of Latvia. Liepaja means “the city under limes”. This is truly so. Besides numerous limes there are many parks and flowerbeds in Liepaja. The city is also rich in historical and cultural heritage. Liepaja is widely known as a recreational resort with mineral water, wonderful beaches and healing mud.

Tourists traditionally come to Liepaja to see numerous sights or visit events like music festivals. Here you will find a professional theater of the Baltic country, the largest mechanic organ, numerous churches and museums. The main sight of Liepaja is the marine guardroom – in the city is located a historical military settlement named Karosta.

The people, who prefer cultural rest, will find much interesting while making a walk on the Seaside Park of Liepaja or on narrow streets of the city. Don’t forget to visit Trīsvienības Church built in XVIII century; the Church of Holy Trinity with a great ancient organ; Saint Jazep Cathedral, in which sailors installed a model of a ship after they had been miraculously saved after a disastrous storm; the house of Peter I, and various art and historical museums. Tourists, who enjoy fresh air and active rest, may enjoy various activities besides sunbathing on beach. To their service are tennis courts, golf fields, bowling, skate park, and evening brings wonderful night life. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The beautiful Liepaja Castle remains one of the most important sights of the city. Its construction began in the late 19th century on the orders of the Russian Tsar Alexander III. This castle was part of a large defensive complex. The castle was used for its intended purpose until 1908, and afterwards, it lost its strategic importance. The construction was badly damaged during the Second World War. Now tourists can see the surviving fragments of once impregnable fortifications.

Attention of tourists is drawn by an unusual building, built of red brick - the “old prison Karosta”. It was built in 1900 and lost its importance very recently. The prison worked in this historic building for nearly a hundred years. In 1997, the government of Liepaja decided to close the prison, and set up the museum in the historic building. The essence of the museum is very simple - it offers visitors a chance to feel themselves in the role of prisoners, walk around the cells and assess the settings of the past, which has remained unchanged. This old prison remains one of the most mystical places in the city. According to its employees, at that time, a few dozen ghosts lived in the building. Tourists are offered to stay here for the night to independently verify the existence of ghosts.

One of the most picturesque places in the city and the starting point of many sightseeing programs is the Rose Square. Its name is due to a huge number of flowerbeds, in which with the onset of spring blossom rose bushes. In the year 2000, the square was reconstructed. Very beautiful commemorative signs dedicated to sister cities of Liepaja were erected around its flower beds.

Fans of walks through historical places will have the opportunity to visit Grabiński Castle. Now, this once impregnable castle is also in a dilapidated state. It was built in the 13th century on the site of a completely destroyed fortification built by the Vikings. Many interesting stories are connected with the ancient fortress. During its existence, it replaced 14 owners, and each of them introduced something new into its appearance. Once in the fortress the best falcons in the region were raised for falconry. The castle remained unassailable until the 18th century. Now the castle is in the territory of a vast park. It is most interesting to visit these places in summer.