Liepāja: Parks, Culture and History

The trading canal connects Lake Liepāja with the sea; in the urban section, yachts moor there in summer. The direct subregion of Liepāja includes Libau.

Culture

The “Lielais dzintars” concert hall is a cultural and events centre and the home venue of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra. On a guided tour, you can visit concert and art spaces, step onto the stage and enjoy panoramic views from the seventh floor.

The Liepāja Museum preserves more than 130,000 objects and artefacts. Its permanent exhibitions tell the history of Liepāja from the Stone Age to the 19th century. At the museum, you can also learn about the art and life of the 20th-century woodcarver Miķelis Pankoks.

The “Liepāja – kā pa notīm!” circular route leads through the city centre to important historical, cultural and architectural sights. A map and musical notes embedded in the pavement serve as orientation aids.

The Amatnieku nams brings together 16 artisans from the Kurzeme region. There, you can watch traditional costumes being woven and silverwork, ceramics, wickerwork, leather goods and amber products being made.

The “Hoijeres kundzes viesu nams” interior museum, dating from the 17th to the 19th century, has a restored late-17th-century layout with a taproom, the living quarters of Hoijeres kundze, a historic mantel chimney and a bread oven. According to historical accounts, Tsar Peter I visited Liepāja and Hoijeres kundze’s inn in 1697.

Following its reconstruction, the “Pūt, vējiņi!” concert garden offers an extensive cultural programme throughout the summer. The pavilion of Pētertirgus was designed by architect Louis Melville in the Art Nouveau style and opened in 1910.

Water, Parks and Nature

The 3-km-long Jūrmala Park, covering 50 hectares, is one of Latvia’s largest landscaped parks. A path for pedestrians and cyclists runs through the entire park. There are also walking paths, an activity area for children, cafés, various sights, as well as football, basketball and tennis courts.

Beberliņi Recreation Park covers 45.3 hectares. One of its most important natural features is a protected pine forest growing on dunes, surrounding the 8.8-hectare artificial body of water Beberliņi.

A nature trail approximately 4 km long allows for peaceful walks, leads over wooden footbridges and offers two observation platforms with expansive views of Lake Liepāja.

A 2-km-long path is available for active recreation, including roller skating and cycling.

Historic Sites

Near Fortification Battery No. 3 is a symbolic memorial to the Kurelian forces, a Latvian military unit from the Second World War that 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 still stand today.

At Pētertirgus, there is a wide selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables, forest products, flowers, plants and other produce from agricultural farms all year round.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Liepaja.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Östergötland, North Jutland, Södermanland, Central Ostrobothnia, Mariehamn city, Rīga.