Holiday apartment in Liepāja: culture, parks and nature

Liepāja combines distinctive cultural sites with expansive parks, waterways and traces of history. Between the concert hall, museum, market and nature trail, the city reveals many different facets: the “Liepāja – kā pa notīm!” route leads through the city centre to historic, cultural and architectural sights. A map and musical notes set into the pavement show the way. The subordinate region Libau is also relevant for the regional classification.

Culture

The “Lielais dzintars” concert hall is a cultural and events centre as well as the home of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra. During a guided tour, visitors can view the concert and art spaces; they can also step onto the stage and enjoy panoramic views from the seventh floor. Another way to explore the city’s history awaits at the Liepāja Museum. Its permanent exhibitions tell the story of Liepāja from the Stone Age to the 19th century. The collection comprises more than 130,000 objects and artefacts. At the museum, visitors can also learn about the art and life of the 20th-century woodcarver Miķelis Pankoks.

The Amatnieku nams showcases handicrafts from the Kurzeme region. It brings together 16 craftspeople. Visitors can see how traditional costumes are woven and how silverware, ceramics, wickerwork, leather goods and amber products are made. The “Pūt, vējiņi!” concert garden is also part of Liepāja’s cultural scene: following its reconstruction, it offers an extensive cultural programme throughout the summer.

History

The “Hoijeres kundzes viesu nams” Interior Museum preserves a restored floor plan dating from the late 17th century. The building, dating from the 17th to the 19th century, includes a taproom, the living quarters of Hoijeres kundze, a historic cloak chimney and a bread oven. According to surviving accounts, Tsar Peter I visited Liepāja and Hoijeres kundze’s inn in 1697.

A symbolic memorial to the Kurelian soldiers is located at Fortification Battery No. 3. This Latvian military unit from the Second World War fought against both occupying powers – Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. At the Northern Fort, partially demolished sections of artillery batteries, underground structures and powder magazines can still be seen today.

Nature

Beberliņi Recreation Park covers 45.3 hectares. Among its most important natural assets is a protected pine forest growing on dunes, which surrounds the 8.8-hectare artificial body of water known as Beberliņi. The Jūrmalas Park is even larger: it is 3 km long, covers 50 hectares and is one of the largest landscaped parks in Latvia.

A path for pedestrians and cyclists runs through the entire Jūrmalas Park. There are also walking paths, an activity area for children, cafés and various sights. Football and basketball courts as well as tennis courts round out the amenities. Active recreation is also available on a 2-km-long route for rollerblading and cycling.

A nature trail about 4 km long allows for peaceful walks and leads across wooden boardwalks. Two viewing platforms offer far-reaching views of Lake Liepāja. The Trade Canal connects Lake Liepāja with the sea; in the urban section, yachts moor there in summer.

Market and city life

The pavilion of Pētertirgus was designed by architect Louis Melville in the Art Nouveau style and opened in 1910. Pētertirgus offers a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, forest products, flowers, plants and other produce from farms all year round.

Other regions at this level: Alūksnes Novads, Varakļāni Municipality, Viļāni Municipality, Aglonas Novads, Babītes Novads, Ķeguma Novads, Riebiņu Novads.

For the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.