Tourism - Liepāja - notes to follow!

Liepāja - notes to follow!

If You want to see the city, this is the simplest way to see Liepāja and get to know its most important tourist sites. The walk-route is about 3,5 km long.
Print out this page and use it like a sheet of music and make your ways through Liepāja as if following a melody.
Why notes you ask? Because Liepāja is Latvia’s music – especially rock music – capital!

More information about this walk-route You can get at Liepāja region tourism information office: +371 634 80808 or info@liepajaturisms.lv.

	Rose Square is definitely the heart of the city. In the 18th century “The New Market” was located here. In 1910 after moving the market, the municipality decided to establish a garden here. In 1911-1913, well-known park designer George Kuphaldt designed the garden which features 500 roses. The square was reconstructed in 2000. The emblems of Liepāja’s sister cities are placed on the sides of the rose-beds. There are several notable buildings located around the square. The building with the two towers used to be the butchery. Ornate was the 19th century Roma Hotel which was built by Liepāja’s most famous architect, M.P.Berči. It is now the home of the “De Rome” Business Centre. In 1934 the cornerstone of the Latvian Society house was laid by Latvian President Kārlis Ulmanis. Near this building was an important location in soviet times – it is where Lenin’s statue stood at that time.

	Next to Latvia’s 1. Rockcafe is the Latvian Musician’s Walk of Fame – 35 bronzed plaques commemorating musicians, 10 of current and former groups and finally, 5 plaques to commemorate Latvia’s music greats who have departed this world to play music in the beyond. Across from the Rockcafe, Latvia’s largest guitar waits for its own musician to step up and play... On the other side of Kungu iela is the tallest building on Zivju iela – the city library which used to be a girl’s school.

	The House of Tsar Peter I is a former hotel run by Madam Hoier. Russia’s Tsar Peter I stayed there in 1697. This is one of the oldest 17th century buildings in Liepāja. On the other side of the street there is the House of Craftsmen where you can buy crafts and watch them being made. In 2003 “Donate amber to your city!” was an event that swept Liepāja. As a result of donations made, an amber necklace was made the longest amber necklace in the world! It is 123 metres long and weights 19,5 kg. The Amber Necklace can be seen at the House of Craftsmen.

	Kuršu Square. In the 16th century this area was a market until St.Anna’s Church was built. There was a churchyard around the building until 1784. One-storey houses, inns and gardens lined the square. It was the main market place till the beginning of the 20th century, but when in 1910 the covered Peter‘s Market was built, the busy character of the square changed forever. St.Anna’s Church is the oldest church in Liepāja. It was first mentioned in the historic record in 1508 and the present church was consecrated in its present location in 1587. Despite the pleasant location, the church also has it’s grimmer history - beheading was carried out in front of the church until 1792. The church was reconstructed for the last time in the 2nd half of the 19th century. The impressive 5.8 m wide and 9.7 m high baroque period altar which was crafted by Ventspils wood-carving master Nicolas Safrens in 1697. The organ of St.Anna’s Church is the 3rd largest in Latvia.

	On the left you can see the former Kurzeme Regional Courthouse – the current home of City Hall. Directly across from City Hall is St.Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral. It used to be a very small church, but in the 19th century it was reconstructed to its present size and shape. The side chapel to the left has remained unchanged from the 18th century. Above it you can see a ship model that is a very typical feature of seashore churches. Ship captains used to hang the models in the church before going to the sea for God to protect them from storms and again when they returned to shore to thank God for their happy return after the voyage. Tirgoņu (Tradesmen) iela. This street is famous for its rich history. In the beginning of the 90’s Liepāja had a good musical tradition in the festival “We are for Liepāja”. The money raised in the festival every year was used to fund special projects. Tirgoņu Street was reconstructed after the first festival. This street where there used to be pedestrians, cars and tram traffic was transformed into the 1st pedestrian thoroughfare in Liepāja.

	Graudu (Grain) iela, with its old cobblestones, historic name, and quaint 20th century houses with romantic and eclectic Art Nouveau decor, is a very proud street. At the head of this street are two impressive buildings form the soviet era – the current Liepāja Academy (regional Council headquarters in soviet times) and Graudu iela 50 which the Communist Party Committee house.

	Kūrmājas prospekts is a street with impressive 19th and 20th century aristocratic houses where Liepaja’s tramway once led the higher class residents of the city to the city’s swimming areas. On the left is a rich Art Nouveau building - Liepāja’s first school. Next to it was the Liepāja Navigation School. On the other side of the street was the Russian – Eastern-Asian Shipping building – now the Regional Courthouse. The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries tens of thousands of people emigrated from Russia to “the land of dreams” in America. Liepāja became the main departure point for that voyage. In 1906 a direct route between Liepāja and New York City was established. Each year approximately 40000 people emigrated through Liepāja’s port. Kūrmājas prospekta is also where you will find Liepāja’s Museum. Be sure to go inside and find, see and discover many interesting and surprising things! Admission is free! This is, by the way, an ideal place to take a break from your tour of the city and relax in one of Liepāja's pubs for a while.

	Vecā Ostmala was a closed territory for the majority of Liepāja’s residents during the soviet era. The Promenade draws your attention to the docks and ships in the area as well as the fountain which resembles the seas waves which wash into Tirdzniecības (Trade) Canal. The good times spent in Liepāja are counted on the Amber Clock!

	Tirdzniecības (Trade) Canal. Liepāja’s port was already known in the 14th century. It has operated as a modern sea-going ship port since the end of the 17th century when the canal was dug and has been a cargo and shipping port since the end of the 19th century. During soviet times, port did not operate as a trading and cargo port. One the other side of Lielā iela is a fancy building with towers –Recreation Centre “Libava” – or, as the locals call it, the Black Ball. It was once Customs House – the black ball warned locals of the imminence of a storm at sea. Walking along Lielā iela, have a look down Jāņa Street – a narrow, romantic lane –which, with its wooden storage buildings, is one of the oldest streets in the city. In the summer, this street is sometimes lined with artists and artisans exhibiting the art of Liepāja.

	Finally, the notes will lead you to the city’s most significant house of worship – Holy Trinity (Sv.Trīsvienības) Cathedral. The church was built during 1742 – 1758 for a German congregation and is noteworthy for its organ, which was the biggest in the world until 1912. The organ has 131 registers, 4 manuals and more than 7,000 pipes. The inside interior of the church is rich and lavish in its decor. Organ music concerts take place regularly in the church. You can also go up into the church tower where a wonderful panorama of Liepāja unfolds before your eyes!